Her first foray at 160 pounds was more of a showcase than competitive match, as she dominated Kaye Scott and then knocked her out in the sixth round Saturday in Atlanta to regain two major belts she gave up in 2023.

Now comes more meaningful matchups. And unified 147-pound champ Lauren Price of Wales, who would have to move up two weight classes, is first in line.

Shields said as much when she was asked in the ring after her victory whether she wants to face Price fight next and she answered in the affirmative, saying, “Yes, if we can get it between December or January.”

Shields’ promoter, Dmitriy Salita, reiterated in an interview with The Ring on Sunday that the Shields and Price camps have agreed on all points. The only remaining task is to put ink on paper.

Price’s promoter, Ben Shalom, also said after she defeated Stephanie Piniero in April that the sides have come to terms on a two-fight deal.

“Both sides have agreed to make the fight happen,” Salita said. “It’s just a matter of getting it signed. And we’re ready to do that.”

Salita also confirmed that the target period is the December-January window Shields mentioned. And he said the fight would take place in the United States, although no specific site has been determined.

“The fight will definitely take place in the U.S.,” he said.

Shields (19-0, 4 KOs) sold out State Farm Arena for the fight with Scott, a relatively obscure Australian. A showdown with the unbeaten Price (10-0, 2 KOs), a fellow Olympic champion, would create a next-level buzz.

Salita believes it doesn’t get much bigger than Shields vs. Price.

“Claressa fought Kaye Scott,” he said. “With due respect, no one knew her in the U.S. And Claressa sold out the arena. She’s had multiple seven-figure gates. She’s a bona fide superstar, the biggest star in the U.S. market in gate revenue.

“Obviously, when you add someone as significant as Price, a world champion, an Olympic gold medalist who has a fan base of her own, it adds significantly to the fight.”

Shields also mentioned two potential opponents in the event that she and Price fail to reach a final agreement, 154-pound champ Mikaela Mayer and Tamm Thibeault, who holds the IBF, WBO and Ring middleweight titles – which Shields also used to own.

Mayer is set to fight Chantelle Cameron on August 29 and they have rematch clauses in their contracts, meaning Shields isn’t likely to face her American rival soon.

“I want a fight with Mikaela or Tamm Thibeault,” Shields said in the ring. “[Thibeault] has got the rest of the three belts. She hasn’t had many professional bouts (five) but she has the belts. It’s not my fault these girls don’t have the experience I have.

“But, hey, she’s got one belt I know belongs to me and that’s the Ring belt.”

Salita was asked about Shields’ comments and said they confirm her commitment to facing the best opposition. He said the focus now is on Price.

“Claressa doesn’t care about the business side of things,” he said. “Her first priority is fighting the best, business is second. She doesn’t avoid anyone. … Tamm Thibeault is good but no one knows who she is. And Claressa doesn’t care. She cares about fighting the best.

“She’s the Ali, the Leonard, the Mayweather, the De La Hoya of this generation. She’s saying all the things you’d expect a fighter of her stature to say.”

And, at only 31, she’s far from finished.

“She’s a girl from Flint, Michigan, one of the most challenging places in our country,” Salita said. “It’s difficult to do a lot of things, almost impossible to be the very best. She’s an American hero to me and to others. She’s incredibly inspiring.

“When these different elements come together, she’s a fighter who transcends the sport.”