Claressa Shields will make her Atlanta fighting debut against WBC and WBA middleweight champion Kaye Scott on Aug. 15 at State Farm Arena, marking the first time a women's championship bout has headlined a card at the arena.
Shields, the undisputed queen of women's boxing, is a two-time Olympic and World Championships gold medalist and the only female boxer ever to hold all four major titles across three different weight classes. Her professional record stands at 18-0 with 3 knockouts.
"I love Atlanta. I'm so excited," Shields said at a pre-fight press conference.
Scott, who arrived from Australia, carries her WBC and WBA title belts and has compiled seven professional fights.
The matchup represents the evolution of women's boxing, with major arenas now clearing primetime slots for female champions to headline. For decades, women's boxing occupied the margins of sports coverage and venue bookings.
Dmitriy Salita, president of Salita Promotions, and Wynn Records CEO Ruben Branson are backing Shields at the professional level. The presence of hip-hop artist Papoose at the announcement underscored how thoroughly boxing has woven itself into broader entertainment and cultural conversations.
Scott's manager is Mark Taffet, who previously managed Shields. The two shared a warm rapport during the press conference.
"It's just wonderful to finally see the women here in Atlanta," Taffet said. "Claressa filled up Little Caesars Arena in Detroit a couple times, and now she's going to fill up Atlanta."
Atlanta has deep roots in boxing history. Muhammad Ali trained there in 1970 during his comeback attempt after his boxing license was suspended for refusing military service during the Vietnam War. Evander Holyfield, the legendary heavyweight champion, calls Atlanta home.
The fight will air on DAZN, with tickets available through Ticketmaster.
