Claressa Shields, ringside for Lauren Price’s most recent fight, is eager to welcome the Welsh fighter to America for a middleweight bout.
The 31-year-old southpaw advanced her career to 10 wins (2 KOs), remaining undefeated, with her lopsided, 10-round win over Stephanie Pineiro Aquino at Cardiff International Arena, not far from her birthplace in Newport. The win further solidifies a burgeoning career as she, last year, trounced Natasha Jonas, too, as well as Jessica McCaskill the year before.
Her greatest test, though, may lay ahead. And it’s all because the self-proclaimed GWOAT, Shields, marveled at Price’s performance and wants dibs on a future fight against her trans-Atlantic foe.
Shields is her country’s last Olympic gold medal winner and America’s greatest heavyweight right now, both inside and outside the women’s bracket. She last fought in February, when she outpointed Franchon Crews-Dezurn in their rematch, and is looking at opponents across multiple weight classes — Price is one of a number of possible options.
Speaking to The Ring, Shields said Price is “Olympic champion, undefeated, and hungry. She feels she’s the next best and skilled enough that she can beat me in a fight.”
Price, a welterweight, is naturally smaller than Shields, but negotiations could land at 160 pound or 165. “I believe 160 is the lowest option, really 165, honestly,” Shields said. “For some who complain about me being too big and strong, I would try and eat a few less burgers to get down to 160.”
If the fight were to take place in Britain, Shields said she’d want to be compensated, and pointed to how many people turn out for their fights. “Lauren fought in front of 7,000, I fought in front of 18,000. I’ve had sold-out events in my last three fights. We know I’m a big draw.”
“I don’t think Lauren is big enough for me to come over here in the UK. She has to come to America if she wants the smoke.”
“I’m not going to say the fight’s off or can’t be made if she says, ‘I’m too scared to come to America, I want to fight here.’ I’ll be like, ‘It’s OK’.”
Shields has also been linked with a fight against Shadasia Green.
