Lauren Price Pursues Mega-Fight Against Claressa Shields Despite Unification Option with Mikaela Mayer

Lauren Price is positioned to create the biggest rivalry in women boxing history as negotiations progress toward a potential middleweight superfight against undisputed heavyweight champion Claressa Shields, bypassing traditional unification opportunities to pursue legacy-defining competition.

The unified welterweight champion defends her WBA, IBF, and WBC titles against Stephanie Pineiro at Cardiff Utilita Arena on Saturday, but her attention has already shifted toward securing the marquee matchup that could elevate women boxing to unprecedented mainstream prominence.

Price promoter Ben Shalom confirmed active discussions between both camps for a middleweight contest, expressing confidence that weight differences will not prevent the fight from materializing despite the significant size disparity between the competitors.

We dont believe the weight difference will stop that fight, Shalom declared. Lauren wants Claressa Shields. She wants the biggest name in women boxing and Claressa is that. That why we want to make it. The commitment to pursuing this ambitious matchup reflects Price willingness to take significant risks for career-defining opportunities.

Shields expected attendance at Saturday Cardiff event demonstrates mutual interest in creating the spectacle that could transform women boxing commercial appeal. Price suggested the fight could happen sooner than people think, indicating advanced negotiations despite the complex logistics involved in arranging such a high-profile contest.

I want to be a multi-weight world champion and I want the biggest fights, Price explained, outlining her championship philosophy that prioritizes historical significance over safer title defense options. Her perfect 10-0 professional record includes dominant performances where she has rarely lost individual rounds.

The proposed matchup would pit Price Olympic pedigree against Shields unprecedented professional achievement across multiple weight classes. Shields holds an 18-0 record while capturing 15 world title belts across five different divisions, establishing herself as arguably the greatest female boxer in history.

Shalom believes Price represents the only fighter capable of matching Shields elite level competition, creating the type of rivalry that transcends boxing traditional boundaries. We believe Lauren is the best female on the planet. I believe she is the only fighter that could come close to Claressa, he stated with conviction.

Every big sport needs a big rivalry, Shalom continued, drawing parallels to legendary competitions across multiple sports. In tennis we had Federer and Nadal, we had it in Formula 1 with Hamilton and Verstappen and we had it in boxing plenty of times with Fury and Usyk. Women boxing needs this.

The potential fight represents a departure from conventional championship progression, as Price could pursue welterweight unification against WBO champion Mikaela Mayer instead. However, negotiations for that contest have proven contentious, with both camps disagreeing about previous scheduling attempts.

Mayer claims a fight was scheduled last summer before Price team withdrew, contradicting Price assertion that Mayer doesnt want to fight me. The American champion expressed frustration about the situation, maintaining her readiness for unification while criticizing Price for avoiding the contest.

Since I won the world title at welterweight I have always talked about unifying, Mayer explained. I have always put her in the handful of names that I want to fight - she knows that. Whatever she didnt like about it, she decided against it. So she fumbled that and then we have tried to make that happen since.

Mayer expressed skepticism about the Shields fight materializing, pointing to weight concerns as potential obstacles. However, Shalom indicated that future unification opportunities with Mayer remain available if she wants it while supporting Price contention that the American is avoiding the fight.

Price immediate focus centers on Saturday mandatory defense against undefeated Puerto Rican challenger Pineiro, whose 10-0 record includes victories exclusively in her home country. The 35-year-old southpaw promises to provide stern opposition despite Price significant experience advantages.

She strong, she tough. She going to throw the kitchen sink at me from round one, Price acknowledged while expressing confidence in her superior opposition experience. I do believe that I am a level above. I think I have boxed better opposition than her before, but it all about Saturday night.

Pineiro relishes her underdog role, expressing eagerness to embrace hostile crowd reception that typically accompanies away fighters in high-profile championship contests. I am excited, I want to hear the boos - that will be energy for me, she declared with remarkable confidence.

Shalom emphasized the importance of not overlooking Pineiro despite future superfight possibilities, warning that Price must prove herself against a phenomenal fighter before pursuing legacy-defining opportunities against Shields.