'Only Lauren can match her' - Price in talks to fight Shields

Unified welterweight world champion Lauren Price is in talks with Claressa Shields over a fight in 2026. Price, 31, returns to Wales on Saturday to defend her WBA, IBF and WBC belts against challenger Stephanie Pineiro at the Utilita Arena. The former Olympic champion, from Bargoed, is looking to maintain her perfect 10-0 record, but already has one eye on the next step in her career.

Undisputed heavyweight champion Shields is expected at ringside and Price says a bout could happen "sooner than people think". "I want to be a multi-weight world champion and I want the biggest fights," said Price. Price's promoter, Boxxer's Ben Shalom, confirmed that talks are under way between the two camps for a contest at middleweight, at which Price fought as an amateur and at which Shields has previously been world champion in the pro ranks.

"We don't believe the weight difference will stop that fight," said Shalom. "Lauren wants Claressa Shields. She wants the biggest name in women's boxing and Claressa is that.

That's why we want to make it. "We believe Lauren is the best female on the planet. I believe she is the only fighter that could come close to Claressa.