Unified middleweight champion Kaye Scott finds herself in the same situation, as the steep underdog heading into her bout against Shields. Beyond the public perception that Scott is facing an uphill climb against the five-division titleholder and three-time undisputed champion, the Australian underdog believes Shields is overlooking her as well.

Scott (5-1-1) will defend her WBA and WBC titles against Shields (18-0, 3 KOs) on Saturday night at State Farm Arena in Atlanta (DAZN; 8:30 p.m. ET).

“I know I’m going to be in for a battle, but I’m ready for it,” Scott said at their final press conference Thursday. “I think she’s been underestimating me a little bit, but we’ll see. I’m ready for everything that she comes at me with. I feel like the whole world has underestimated me, mostly because they just see that pro record of only being seven fights.”

Shields, 31, vehemently denied Scott’s claims that she’s looking past her. The Flint, Michigan, native will fight at 160 pounds for the first time since June 2023, when she won a dominant unanimous decision over Maricela Conejo to defend her Ring, IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO titles.

Shields has fought her last four bouts at heavyweight since beating Cornejo. She is coming off a dominant decision victory over Franchon Crews Dezurn to defend her IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO belts February 22 in Detroit.

“I have been in the gym training three, four times a day,” Shields said. “I’ve been dieting. Usually I do a six-week camp – I did 12 for [Scott]. Not because of the weight – I’ve been made weight last week. That was simple, making weight. No, I trained for you. I watched you.

“I know you were good in the amateurs. I know you are more experienced. The girls in the amateurs, majority of them may box better than the girls in the pros. I don’t take your record of being 5-1-1 as a joke. I sparred so many rounds, and we watched so much film. I didn’t underestimate you.”

Scott, 42, won the then-vacant WBA and WBC titles in her last fight, by way of a majority decision over Olivia Curry on December 20. Scott and Curry fought to a majority draw three months earlier in their first 10-round fight for the WBA and WBC belts.

Scott spent most of her career in the amateur ranks before turning pro in November 2023, including fighting in the Commonwealth Games and World Championships. Her extensive experience as an amateur is something she believes has helped prepare her for Shields.

“All I can do is control the controllables,” Scott said. “My sparring’s been on point. My conditioning’s been on point. My diet’s been on point, and my mindset’s on point. This opportunity has arisen, and I’m just taking it with full force.

“She wouldn’t want to be against an opponent who doesn’t believe that she can do it, and I think I can create history and go out there and bring everything and make it a really challenging fight and bring those belts back home to Australia.”