Notebook: Shields back at 160 looking for another reign vs. Scott
Mercado fight canceled; WBO orders Sheeraz-Alimkhanuly; Iglesias 1st defense set; Rahman denied N.Y. license, so he's headed to Indiana for comeback; Brook ending retirement; Quick hits; Show & tell
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Claressa Shields has been there, done that as the women’s undisputed middleweight champion but she is returning to the division seeking another title reign.
Shields, who is the reigning undisputed women’s heavyweight champion (albeit at 175 pounds) and the long-reigning No. 1 female fighter pound-for-pound, will drop down in weight to challenge WBC/WBA titleholder Kaye Scott in the main event of a Salita Promotions card on Saturday (DAZN, 8:30 p.m. ET) at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
With a distinct lack of opposition at 175 pounds, Shields decided to move down in weight and if she wins — and she is a prohibitive favorite — she can at least join male legends Bob Fitzsimmons and Roy Jones Jr. as heavyweight titleholders to move down in weight and win another world title.
Whatever challenge Scott may pose in the ring, Shields first had to cut more weight than she has in years.



