Claressa Shields has spent her career making history in boxing rings around the world. On Aug. 15, the Flint native will step into another spotlight when she headlines a championship fight at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, carrying her undefeated record, world titles, and hometown pride into a new chapter of an already remarkable journey.
Shields, 18-0 with three knockouts, will face Australia’s Kaye Scott for the WBC and WBA middleweight championships in a DAZN main event that places two titleholders on one of boxing’s biggest stages. The fight marks Shields’ return to the middleweight division, where she authored some of the most memorable moments of her professional career.
Shields enters the bout as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, a five-division world champion and the first boxer of the four-belt era to become undisputed champion in three weight classes. Her résumé has established her among the most decorated athletes in boxing history.
Now, her attention turns toward reclaiming undisputed status at 160 pounds.
Shields isn’t a stranger to the middleweight division, though. In October 2022, she traveled to London and defeated Savannah Marshall before a sold-out crowd at The O2 Arena, capturing the undisputed middleweight championship in one of the sport’s landmark events. The victory expanded her standing as a global star and created another signature moment in a career filled with championship performances.
Three years later, Shields returns to the division with another title pursuit in front of her.
“At this point in my career, every fight is about legacy,” Shields said. “Every fight now is about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible for myself, for women’s boxing, and for the next generation coming behind me through Claressa Shields Promotions.”
The path back to undisputed status begins with Scott, a determined champion who arrives in Atlanta holding two of the division’s most significant titles.
Scott, 5-1-1, earned recognition through a hard-fought rivalry with Olivia Curry. Their first meeting received WBC Women’s Fight of the Year honors, and the rematch in December 2025 ended with Scott leaving the ring as the unified WBC and WBA middleweight champion.
The Australian fighter views the Shields matchup as the defining opportunity of her career.
“I’ve dedicated my life to the sport of boxing, achieving success with the Australian National Team and as a professional,” Scott said in a press release. “I’m extremely proud to defend my WBC and WBA world title belts against Claressa Shields.”
Scott said she enters training camp motivated and prepared for the challenge awaiting her under the bright lights in Atlanta.
“I have the chance to show the world exactly what I’m capable of,” Scott said. “I’m in the best shape of my life and ready to test myself.”
Fighting in Atlanta, Shields has her eyes set on another major American market ready to experience the atmosphere that has become synonymous with her fight nights.
Over the last several years, Shields helped transform Detroit into a destination for championship boxing. Consecutive sold-out events at Little Caesars Arena demonstrated the drawing power of women’s boxing and reinforced her status as one of the sport’s premier attractions.
Fans packed the arena, celebrities filled the front rows, and championship boxing once again became a centerpiece of Detroit’s sports calendar. Comedian Michael Blackson attended the February 2026 fight Shields headlined in Detroit and called it “the most exciting sporting event” he had ever attended.
Now that energy travels south.
Shields has built a reputation for creating memorable events that blend championship competition with entertainment and cultural engagement. Her entrances have featured major music artists. Her fight nights attract athletes, entertainers, executives and community leaders. The atmosphere surrounding her bouts often extends throughout the host city long before the opening bell.
Promoters expect a similar scene when boxing arrives at State Farm Arena in August.
The event is being presented by Salita Promotions in partnership with Wynn Records, Claressa Shields Promotions and Route 30 Promotions, with sponsorship from The Zeus Network. Organizers see the fight as another important milestone for the sport and for Shields’ growing influence across athletics, business and entertainment.
“Every Claressa Shields event marks a milestone in her career,” said Dmitriy Salita, president of Salita Promotions. “She has another opportunity to further cement herself as the greatest female fighter of all time, and she has a chance to prove she’s a major box office attraction in one of the world’s cultural epicenters.”
State Farm Arena officials are also anticipating a memorable championship night.
“We’re proud to welcome Claressa Shields and Kaye Scott to State Farm Arena for one of the most anticipated matches of the year,” said Trey Feazell, executive vice president of programming for the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena. “They are two of the sport’s most respected and decorated fighters.”
Back in Michigan, Shields’ rise continues to resonate with communities that have followed her journey since her amateur days in Flint. From Olympic glory to world championship success, she has carried the identity of her hometown with her throughout every stage of her career.
Each fight brings another chance for young athletes across Michigan to watch someone from their state perform on the world’s biggest stages. Each title defense adds another chapter to a career defined by discipline, ambition and achievement.
When Shields walks to the ring on Aug. 15, she will carry championship credentials that have already secured her place in boxing history, and she’ll also carry the expectations that come with being one of Michigan’s most celebrated athletes.
