Shields reveals reason for return to middleweight ahead of Scott fight

The self-proclaimed 'GWOAT' is in action on Saturday night, live on DAZN, when she faces WBA and WBC women's middleweight champion Kaye Scott. 

Shields as of late has been campaigning at heavyweight, where she is the undisputed champion, but for the first time since 2023, she will be returning to 160lbs. 

Shields reveals the only reason for middleweight return

Shields' last middleweight bout saw her successfully defend the undisputed title in Detroit against Maricela Cornejo. 

When it came to dropping down three weight divisions, Shields told DAZN News that Scott's two world titles were the only reason for dropping the pounds. 

"The decision to come down to 160 was one where I didn’t have to do it because I make the same money fighting at 175, at heavyweight, but I did it for the fans to make the best fight," Shields said.

"I let my fans and my team know that I was not going to any weight class that wasn’t lower than where I was at unless there were belts on the line.

"So Kaye Scott was ready for the challenge and put her belts up, and she wanted the opportunity, so I told her I’ll come down to 160."

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Shields: 'I Was Fighting Men at 15!'

 

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With Shields having to cut plenty of weight to meet the middleweight limit, training for Saturday's clash with Scott has been a gruelling experience. 

While Shields did acknowledge that it has not been easy, she has been enjoying the process with her training team. 

"Camp has been going very well. I have been training very hard to go down to 160, it hasn’t been the easiest but, I’m making the best out of it.

"I’ve been enjoying me and my team going out to the beach, running with the sauna suits on, the sparring, the extra strength and conditioning. I’ve been enjoying all of it, but it hasn’t been easy to drop these three divisions."

Romero vs. Lopez - Watch on DAZN PPV & Prime Video

In a potential fight of the year contender Rolly Romero puts his WBA welterweight title up against Teofimo Lopez on Saturday, August 22, live on DAZN.

Buy as a one-off PPV, via DAZN on Prime Video, or included along with Moses vs. Hrgovic (Aug 29) and Canelo vs. Mbilli (Oct 31) PPVs with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.

For more information, pricing and to buy, click here .