Lauren Price rules out Claressa Shields as next opponent before Cardiff title defence

Lauren Price said on 12 October that she had ruled out Claressa Shields as her next major opponent after her November title defence in Cardiff, although Shields’ promoter says talks about an early-2027 fight are continuing. Price is due to defend her WBA, WBC and IBF welterweight titles against Michaela Kotaskova at Utilita Arena on 20 November. The differing accounts leave Price’s opponent for a planned major fight next year unconfirmed.

Why Price says a Shields fight does not work now

Price told BBC Sport Wales that she could officially rule out Shields for the big fight she expects after facing Kotaskova. She said she anticipates a major bout early in 2027, but did not name an opponent. Her comments address the proposed next fight; she did not rule out meeting Shields at a later point if the timing and terms change.

In Price’s account, the money discussed was not attractive enough. She said she wanted to fight in both America and Wales, that Shields would not come to Wales, and that there was no rematch clause. Taken together, Price said, the proposed terms did not make sense for her. Those are Price’s descriptions of the discussions; neither report supplies Shields’ response to those specific points.

Price said her position as a unified world champion and Olympic gold medallist meant she did not need to accept a fight on terms she considered unfavourable. She also said there was no rush to face Shields because other fights were available. Her stance leaves open the possibility of a later contest, but establishes no agreement to hold one.

Shields’ promoter says talks are continuing

Salita also told Sky that Shields had attended Price’s fight earlier this year with the aim of pursuing a matchup. Both outlets report that Shields was at Price’s April title defence against Stephanie Pineiro, which Price won on points. Salita’s account of why Shields attended is his own characterisation; the attendance itself does not settle what terms either fighter would accept.

The two interviews establish interest from Shields’ camp and a refusal by Price to take the proposed fight on the terms she described. They do not establish a signed deal, a venue or a date for a Price–Shields bout. The reports also do not explain whether discussions changed between the interviews or whether the sides could agree different terms later.

Price’s confirmed Cardiff defence against Kotaskova

Price’s immediate assignment is Kotaskova, a Czech boxer whom the BBC describes as 34 years old with one defeat in 15 professional fights. That defeat came on points against Chantelle Cameron in April at light-middleweight. Price will put her unified welterweight titles on the line in Cardiff, with the BBC saying it will show the 20 November fight live on its channels.

The Cardiff event also matters to Price beyond the title defence. She told the BBC that boxing in Wales and building an audience there were priorities for her. She described the November show as an opportunity for young Welsh fighters Rhys Edwards and Kyran Jones to appear on the undercard. Her wish to fight in Wales is also one of the issues she raised in explaining why the proposed Shields terms did not suit her.

Other possible opponents and the unanswered 2027 question

Price, an Olympic gold medallist from 2020, had fought 10 professional bouts at the time of the BBC interview. The BBC has previously linked her with Mikaela Mayer, who holds the WBO welterweight title, for a fight that could decide undisputed status in the division. That is a reported possibility, not an announced next bout. Price has named no opponent for her expected major fight in early 2027.

A Shields matchup would also bring together fighters with different recent weight-class paths. Price holds three welterweight belts and boxed as an amateur middleweight; Sky reports that Shields recently moved down from heavyweight to reclaim the WBA and WBC titles at 160 pounds. For now, the firm date in Price’s schedule is her Cardiff defence against Kotaskova. Whether talks with Shields lead to a later fight remains unresolved in the accounts from the two camps.