Shields says fight with Price likely to take place in 2027

Claressa Shields, the undisputed heavyweight boxing champion, expects her highly anticipated showdown with Welsh fighter Lauren Price to be delayed until 2027. Shields is currently preparing for a middleweight title challenge against Kaye Scott on August 15 in Atlanta.

Price had called for a fight with Shields after winning her welterweight world title bout in April. The two fighters even had a face-to-face encounter following Price's victory. Shields, 31, has expressed her eagerness to face Price, describing her as "very explosive. She's fast. She got a lot of skill."

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When I look at Lauren fight, she's very explosive. She's fast. She got a lot of skill. I can't wait to get in there and showcase my skills against her.

"I can't wait to get in there and showcase my skills against her," Shields told the BBC. "I think I will have this fight and I would love to fight again at the end of the year at 160lb (middleweight)."

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I think I will have this fight and I would love to fight again at the end of the year at 160lb (middleweight).

Shields believes the fight with Price will likely occur in the first quarter of 2027. Price, 32, had previously stated in April that there was no reason to delay a fight between them while both were in their prime. Promoter Ben Shalom had also suggested the possibility of a two-fight deal.

However, Price has not competed since her April victory, and the momentum for a clash with Shields has since diminished. Shields plans to fight again at middleweight later this year after her August 15 bout.

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I think me and her will fight in 2027 in the first quarter.