Claressa “T-Rex” Shields (18-0, 3 KOs), the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, will make her Atlanta debut on Saturday, August 15, at State Farm Arena, returning to the middleweight division for a high-stakes showdown against unified WBC and WBA champion Kaye Scott (5-1-1)(DAZN).
Shields, 31, enters the bout as a two-time Olympic gold medalist, five-division world champion, undisputed heavyweight champion, and the first boxer in the four-belt era—male or female—to become undisputed champion in three weight classes. Her return to middleweight brings Shields back to the division where she authored one of the defining moments of her career.
In October 2022, she defeated longtime rival Savannah Marshall before a sold-out crowd at London’s O2 Arena to become the undisputed middleweight champion of the world, settling one of boxing’s most celebrated rivalries in a landmark event widely credited with accelerating women’s boxing onto the global stage.
After helping establish Detroit as a destination city for championship boxing through consecutive sold-out events at Little Caesars Arena, Shields now takes her brand to one of the nation’s most culturally influential markets.
“At this point in my career, every fight is about legacy,” said Shields. ‘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.
“Kaye Scott is a champion, and I respect what she’s accomplished. But becoming undisputed at 160 pounds again starts with beating the best. That’s always been my mindset. I don’t chase easy fights, I choose meaningful ones.”
Australia’s Scott, a highly decorated amateur-turned-world-champion, ascended to the middleweight throne through one of women’s boxing’s most compelling rivalries. Her first meeting with Olivia Curry earned WBC Women’s Fight of the Year honors; the rematch, on December 20, 2025, ended with the 42-year-old Scott capturing the unified WBC and WBA middleweight titles. The victory transformed Scott from contender to champion and established her as one of the division’s most formidable forces.
Now firmly entrenched amongst the middleweight elite, Scott enters the biggest fight of her career carrying not only championship credentials, but with something to prove.
“I’ve dedicated my life to the sport of boxing, achieving success with the Australian National Team and as a professional, ” said Scott. I’m extremely proud to defend my WBC and WBA world title belts against Claressa Shields.
“I believe the bigger the challenge, the bigger the opportunity, and on August 15, I have the chance to show the world exactly what I’m capable of. I’m in the best shape of my life and ready to test myself against the very best. I’m excited, motivated, and prepared to step into that ring and prove that I am the best middleweight in the world.”
Additional bouts for this card will be announced at a later date.
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