Claressa Shields stops Kaye Scott in sixth for WBA, WBC titles

Claressa Shields stopped Kaye Scott at 1:38 of the sixth round in Atlanta to become the WBA and WBC middleweight champion. The scheduled 10-round bout ended when Scott’s corner stopped the contest after Shields had dropped her opponent into serious trouble against the ropes.

The fight was held at State Farm Arena, where a crowd of 16,000 watched the main event presented by Salita Promotions and promoter Dmitriy Salita. Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medallist from Flint, Michigan, improved her professional record to 19-0 with four knockouts. Australian Olympian Scott fell to 5-2-1.

Shields established an early advantage by landing more punches in the opening round, while Scott developed a lump on her forehead before the bell. The second was competitive, and both boxers had successful moments in the third. Shields found greater success in the fourth, using her shoulder roll to limit Scott’s attacks while connecting with the heavier punches.

Scott applied pressure in parts of the fifth round and forced Shields back towards the ropes. Shields responded during the closing half-minute, regaining momentum before the sixth-round finish. She connected with a left hook to Scott’s chin, hurt the champion and drove her onto the ropes.

Referee Joel Scobie administered a standing eight-count, but Scott remained vulnerable when the action resumed. Shields pressed immediately, landing a series of punches as Scott struggled to recover. Her corner then threw in the towel, bringing the bout to an end and handing Shields both major titles.

The result extended Shields’ unbeaten start as a professional and gave her the WBA and WBC belts previously held by Scott. It also added a stoppage to a record that had contained four knockout victories before the Atlanta contest, while Scott’s second defeat came in her first fight listed against Shields.