Shields and Scott Prepare for Historic Atlanta Showdown

On Saturday, August 15, State Farm Arena in Atlanta will host a significant moment for the sport as undisputed champion Claressa "T-Rex" Shields otherwise known as the "GWOAT," faces unified champion Kaye Scott. This event represents the first time women will headline a boxing card at this venue.

Shields, who is moving down to the middleweight division for this contest, noted the effort required to make the change: “I want to thank Kaye for taking this fight, but because of you I have to lose 20 pounds. If you hadn’t taken this fight I wouldn’t have come back down to middleweight. I vacated those belts because no one wanted to fight me.”

Regarding the physical challenges of the weight transition, Shields said, “I can make weight comfortably and keep all my power. I was undisputed twice at 160 and I wasn’t my strongest, but over the years I’ve gotten stronger. Kaye looks very strong and fit right now. Come August 15, I will look just as strong and fit.”

Scott enters the ring with her own plan to retain her titles. “This is a big opportunity and I am honored to be part of it. This is not unfamiliar territory. I’ve earned this spot and I’m ready to put it everything on the line. They’re my belts and I am the world champion right now. She’s the challenger. I’m not looking to hand them over, she’s going to have to come get them off me.”

Scott also identified potential areas of opportunity based on the weight change: “The aspect of her dropping the weight is definitely my advantage. In the amateurs I’ve done some heavy weight cuts and it can be draining on the body. I sit comfortably at middle weight. I’m hoping in the later stages of the fight that my endurance will come through. My fitness gives me the advantage to be able to push through.”

Shields countered the suggestion that the weight cut would be a deciding factor. “Kaye just said she thinks me coming down is her advantage and that’s how she’s supposed to think. But know this, skill overrides everything. I could be tired and have skill. I can be weak and have skill. People think that it’s all about strength. But I just know how to win.”

​The main event will be broadcast exclusively on DAZN starting at 9 p.m. ET. Prior to the main card, the Zeus Network will stream undercard bouts beginning at 6 p.m. ET. These broadcasts will document which fighter successfully manages their strategy to control the outcome of this historic meeting in Atlanta.

Photos courtesy of Stephanie Trapp/Salita Promotions