Claressa Shields vs Kaye Scott: A Close Look At This Women’s Unified Middleweight Title Fight

What is at stake when the ‘GWOAT’ Claressa Shields faces Kaye Scott on Saturday at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta?

Shields (18-0, 3 KOs) is moving back down to women’s middleweight after a run through the super middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight ranks over the past two years. Scott (5-1-1) will be looking to make the first defense of her title after claiming the belt.

Let’s look at the main story of the bout.

The Story of The Fight

Shields is back in a division with some exciting match-ups. In the higher weight classes, it was hard to feel the same excitement for her bouts. She just seemed that much better. Even though Tamm Thibeault is a new pro, she just won a belt in five fights. A win for her would make Shields and the six-foot Thibeault the two champions. That is interesting. Then, you have Mikaela Mayer lurking in the distance, within reach of a mega-fight.

The true story (to me) is that Shields is within reach of making some great fights.

Good Fighter, Uninteresting Fight

The bout feels like a necessary evil. Shields needs to collect belts to pursue the big names at or around middleweight. Scott defeated Olivia Curry to win the vacant titles. That said, it is hard to get excited about it. Scott struggled against Curry and has split two fights with Desley Robinson.

It speaks to the lack of depth in women’s boxing as a whole. Realistically, we have two dominant forces in the division currently: Shields and Thibeault. Outside of that, it feels like everyone else is a level below.

Kaye Scott Is Also An Olympian

Scott competed in the 2024 Olympic Games for Australia and achieved her own successes. She is getting overlooked a bit, but that is mostly due to her age of 42. It is hard to imagine her beating two opponents: a prime Shields and Father Time on the same night.

The Undercard Is Stacked

Say what you want about the main fight; the undercard is filled with depth. A women’s title fight between Danielle Perkins and Olivia Curry screams of being a slugfest. Middleweight Troy Isley will renew his amateur rivalry with Joseph Hicks. Light heavyweight Atif Oberlton will return, as he is an emerging star. And my favorite bout of the night, super middleweight Da’velle Smith, will face Hakim Lopez, the brother of Najee Lopez, in a sink-or-swim bout for both.

Also, Ernesto “Tito” Mercado will make his debut under his new promoter, Salita Promotions.

What Does The Eye Test Say

Shields is too fast and too smart. It will simply be a levels fight.

What Do The Odds Say

They agree with my eyes and favor Shields heavily.

Lucas Ketelle

Lucas Ketelle is a boxing writer and podcaster who has appeared on various platforms throughout his career.

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