Unified welterweight world champion Lauren Price is setting her sights on a monumental showdown with boxing superstar Claressa Shields, with talks already underway for a potential blockbuster bout in 2026.
Before looking too far ahead, the 31-year-old Olympic gold medalist must first defend her WBA, IBF, and WBC titles. Price, who boasts a flawless 10-0 record, is scheduled to face challenger Stephanie Pineiro at the Utilita Arena in Wales this Saturday.
Undisputed heavyweight champion Claressa Shields is anticipated to be ringside for the Welsh fighter's title defense. According to Price, a mega-fight between the two could materialize much faster than anticipated as she seeks to cement her legacy.
"I want to be a multi-weight world champion and I want the biggest fights," Price declared.
Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom confirmed that negotiations are progressing for a middleweight collision. While Shields is currently campaigning at heavier weights, she has previously conquered the middleweight division in the pro ranks—a weight class where Price enjoyed immense success during her Olympic amateur career.
"We don't believe the weight difference will stop that fight," Shalom stated. "Lauren wants Claressa Shields. She wants the biggest name in women's boxing and Claressa is that. We believe Lauren is the best female on the planet. I believe she is the only fighter that could come close to Claressa."
To truly etch her name among the all-time greats, Price will need to test herself against the undefeated 18-0 Shields, who has remarkably captured 15 world titles across five different weight categories. Shalom believes this matchup could provide women's boxing with a transcendent rivalry, comparing it to iconic sporting clashes like Federer versus Nadal or Fury versus Usyk, and potentially filling massive venues like Cardiff's Principality Stadium.
Meanwhile, the traditional route of unifying the welterweight division against WBO champion Mikaela Mayer seems stalled in a bitter battle of words. Price recently claimed that Mayer was avoiding a clash. However, the 35-year-old Mayer strongly rebuked the accusation, countering that a bout was actually scheduled for last summer before Price's camp withdrew. Mayer insists she remains fully committed to unifying the 147-pound division whenever Price is ready.