Unified WBA and WBC Middleweight World Champion Kaye Scott is fully focussed as she nears the final stretch of training camp in Australia ahead of her high-stakes showdown with Claressa Shields on Saturday, Aug. 15. Scott will defend her unified titles against the “GWOAT” and multi-division champion Shields live on DAZN (9 p.m. ET) from State Farm Arena.
Scott enters this mega-fight fresh off a two-fight stretch with contender Olivia Curry. Their first meeting – a leading candidate for 2025 Fight of the Year – ended in a razor-thin majority draw. In the immediate rematch in December 2025, Scott outworked Curry in a back-and-forth brawl to capture the vacant WBA and WBC Middleweight titles.
Hailing from Sydney, Australia, Scott’s journey to the peak of the sport is defined by resilience. Early in her career, she faced systemic hurdles – including historical state bans on women’s boxing in her home country – before carving out an amateur career spanning over 120 international bouts. Now, Scott is wrapping up camp in her hometown and fully prepared to defend her throne against Shields.
Here’s what she had to say as she closes out camp:
Having shared the ring with Shields early in her career, Scott carries a valuable advantage—knowing firsthand that behind the aura and accolades is an opponent who can be hit:
“Sparring Claressa back in 2016 when I was a less experienced amateur helped me mentally. I was nervous heading into it, but once we got in there, I performed well, and my coach was happy. It reminded me that she’s human just like me. While I respect everything she’s accomplished, I don’t put her on a pedestal like everyone else does. She’s incredibly talented, but knowing I’ve landed shots on her before gives me confidence. If I bring my best A-game, she is beatable.”
While Shields has to cut weight from heavyweight to middleweight, Scott has spent her entire camp focused purely on technical execution, conditioning, and sharpening every tool:
“Middleweight is my natural weight class, so I haven’t had to focus on shedding pounds or cutting weight. Instead, I’ve been completely focused on refining my skills and making sure I’m technically on point to beat Claressa. I’m not dealing with weight stress, draining my energy, or feeling under-fueled. I know Claressa is a complete professional who has had plenty of time to work with her team and dietitian to execute a smart game plan. I’m expecting the absolute best version of Claressa Shields, and that’s exactly what I’ve prepared for. I’m going to take it round by round and execute what my corner tells me.”
Scott has refined her defense and footwork to ensure she can seamlessly adapt whether fighting at range or inside the pocket:
“Against her, I know I have to box, move my head, and stay active on my feet. I can’t be flat-footed or just stand in front of her. Camp has been about bringing the best version of myself – fitter, stronger, and more versatile physically and mentally.
“I’m not a one-dimensional fighter; I can box at long range and work on the inside. We’ve placed a massive focus on being defensively sound while having the ability to push the tempo and lift the pace within rounds whenever needed.”
Scott sees this fight as the ultimate motivation to prove her place at the top of the sport:
“I don’t feel forced into any particular style – my job is to win rounds and execute my coach’s game plan. The focus is simply on boxing the smartest fight possible, using my strengths while staying aware of hers.
“Defending these belts is even more motivating because I’m facing one of the most accomplished female fighters in history. That’s exactly where I want to be. The stage is bigger, the challenge is bigger, and so is the opportunity to prove I belong at the very top. These are my belts – I worked extremely hard to earn them, and I’m working even harder to keep them.”
Addressing critics who judge her purely by her professional record length, Scott points to over a decade of international amateur experience:
“Looking strictly at a pro record is a very simplified way to analyze a fighter’s readiness. A high-level amateur pedigree allows you to fast-track your pro career – my first pro fight was an eight-rounder, which very few fighters do straight off the bat.
“My 120-plus amateur fights across the globe taught me how to adapt, solve problems under pressure, and perform on the world’s biggest stages. I’ve fought multiple 10-rounders and I am the unified world champion. There’ll always be doubters and uninformed people out there, but my experience gives me absolute confidence that I belong here.”
Headlining a major arena event in the United States, Scott reflects on the broader impact of her journey and the legacy she hopes to build for women’s boxing back home in Australia.
“I feel extremely fortunate to be part of a generation that has helped change perceptions of women in boxing and create real opportunities. I don’t feel pressure from that, I feel pure gratitude. Headlining an arena in the United States and defending my unified world titles makes me incredibly proud.
“I stay disciplined through every training session knowing how deserving I am to live out my dreams. I hope a young Australian girl watching thinks, ‘If she can do it, maybe I can too.’”
The Aug. 15 event live on DAZN from State Farm Arena in Atlanta is presented by Salita Promotions in partnership with Wynn Records, Claressa Shields Promotions and Route 30 Promotions, and presenting sponsor Zeus Network. Remaining tickets for Aug. 15 are available on Ticketmaster.com.
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