Shields vs. Scott Undercard Picks: Best Boxing Bets for Every Atlanta Fight
By Jaren Kawada in Boxing
Published:
- Claressa Shields returns to middleweight for the first time since 2023 in her pursuit of become a simultaneous two-division champion
- ‘The GWOAT’ challenges WBC and WBA women’s 160-pound champion Kaye Scott in Atlanta
- Check out the best analysis, predictions and bets for the full Claressa Shields vs. Kaye Scott fight card below
In the lone major boxing event on Saturday night, Claressa Shields (18-0) looks to return to her natural weight class for the first time in three years and reclaim her throne in the middleweight division against Kaye Scott (5-1-1).
‘The GWOAT’ headlines an 11-fight card in Atlanta, marking her first time competing professionally in Georgia. The Shields-Scott undercard includes a bevy of notable names, but lost its most intriguing one on weigh-in day. Ernesto ‘Tito’ Mercado was expected to make his promotional debut against Emmanuel Tagoe in the co-main event before losing that matchup due to his opponent missing weight by 10 pounds. Salita Promotions tabbed Roger Hilley as a last-minute replacement, but Hilley would also go on to miss weight to cancel the fight entirely.
Even without Mercado, the Shields-Scott undercard has other names to monitor. Rising prospect Troy Isley takes on Joseph Hicks on the DAZN main card. Isley and Hicks met three times as amateurs, with Hicks going up 2-1. Regardless, the 16-0 Isley is the sizeable betting favorite.
WBC women’s super featherweight champion Caroline Veyre opens the main card defending her title against undefeated South African challenger Bernice Ferreira. Veyre, a longtime successful amateur boxer, is coming off an upset win over Delfine Persoon to win the title in February.
The Shields-Scott undercard contains a lot to break down and even more potential value on the table.
Claressa Shields vs. Kaye Scott Undercard Odds
Odds as of Aug. 15, 2026 on Fanatics Sportsbook. Check out the best boxing apps in 2026 to place a wager.
Troy Isley vs. Joseph Hicks Prediction
Joseph Hicks might have gotten the better of Troy Isley on the amateur circuit, but ‘Transformer’ is the fighter who has evolved more through the years. Although Isley just fought two months ago, this is a prime opportunity to exorcise his demons on the biggest stage of his career.
While Hicks was able to take advantage of the shorter, three-round fights as amateurs, everything will be different in this 10-round bout. Hicks likes to fight as a long counter-puncher, but Isley will be the fighter dictating the pace and range with his jab and fundamental high guard. Everything Hicks throws is reactionary and with little substance while also void of much variety. Isley will have more time to capitalize on Hicks’ predictable patterns that he was not able to in just three rounds.
Having fought no one of significance for most of his professional career, Hicks is just two fights removed from a decision loss to the competent, yet underwhelming, Wendy Toussaint. He rebounded from that loss with a competitive victory over 25-25-1 Todd Manuel.
In a three-round fight with headgear on, Hicks was able to out-work Isley early before the latter’s superior boxing had a chance to take over. A 30-minute fight will give Isley all the time he needs to prove that he is levels above his former rival.
- Boxing Picks: Troy Isley by Decision (-230 on Fanatics)
Ashleyann Lozada vs. Paulette Cuesta Best Bet
In her first major spotlight fight on DAZN, Ashleyann Lozada has the most favorable matchup of the Shields-Scott undercard against Paulette Cuesta. Long regarded as a future world champion, Lozada has yet to even lose a round through her first four professional bouts.
Lozada is already one of the cleanest boxers in women’s boxing whose elite defense makes her very difficult to hit. Her perfect base always keeps her on-balanced and in position to see everything coming and shut it down before it even reaches her.
Lozada’s defense is even more impressive given her constant flow of offense. The Puerto Rican is almost constantly moving and throwing significant offense with elite timing and accuracy.
Cuesta will at least attempt to bring the fight to Lozada, but she will very quickly find herself outmatched in every area. Cuesta tends to enter with her guard down, leaving a massive opening for Lozada to collect her second knockout victory.
Props are not available on most books for this fight, but Lozada is a very secure parlay leg.
- Boxing Picks: Ashleyann Lozada Moneyline (-1100 on Fanatics)
Caroline Veyre vs. Bernice Ferreira Prediction
Following a 150-fight amateur career, Caroline Veyre finally became a world champion with an upset win over Delfine Persoon in February. Veyre now defends her title against South African slugger Bernice Ferreira.
Ferreira brings the chaos, but Veyre’s boxing is levels above her. The champion’s athleticism and ring IQ tend to frustrate opponents, and her movement will do the same to Ferreira. Veyre is one of the best stick-and-movers in women’s boxing, which is a nightmare for a flat-footed brawler like ”The Badger.’
The faster Veyre will be able to pick her shots all night, but a finish is unlikely. Veyre has yet to record her first knockout as a professional and will not find it against the gritty Ferreira.
- Boxing Picks: Caroline Veyre by Decision (-240 on Fanatics)
Atif Oberlton vs. Roamer Alexis Angulo Best Bet
Two knockout artists collide in Saturday night’s final preliminary bout between Atif Oberlton and Roamer Alexis Angulo. The sky-scraping Oberlton closes as the massive betting favorite against the 29-4 Angulo, who has only ever lost to elite, championship-level fighters.
Angulo’s four losses have all been against elite 168 to 175-pound fighters — Gilberto Ramirez, David Benavidez, Edgar Berlanga and Umar Dzambekov. Of the four knockout artists to beat him, only Benavidez managed to stop him. Oberlton joining that list would be a huge feather in his cap.
Angulo is easily the toughest test of Oberlton’s career, but the Philadelphia-based southpaw still has more tools to earn the victory. Oberlton has the better jab and footwork while targeting the body more between the two. Oberlton and Angulo are both defensively sound, making point-scoring moments difficult for both.
As tricky as Angulo can be, he has also yet to record any quality wins. His losses are impressive, but only seven of his 29 victories came against opponents with a 75 percent win rate or higher. Oberlton will be able to score more points but might not extend his knockout streak on Saturday.
- Boxing Picks: Atif Oberlton Moneyline (-2000 on Fanatics)
