Thibeault does not share Shields’ appetite for public attacks, but there was no uncertainty about her interest in the fight.

“One hundred percent, it’s a fight that I want. It’s up to MVP to make it. I just want to be very clear. Just because I don’t scream it from the rooftops, just because I don’t call out people, doesn’t mean that I don’t want the challenge,” said Thibeault to Sky Sports.

The weight is no longer an obstacle. Shields revealed that she began her previous training camp at 198 pounds and lost 38 pounds over 14 weeks to make the middleweight limit. It was a difficult process, but she proved that she can still reach 160 when she commits to it.

A bout with Thibeault offers far more incentive than the Scott defense did. She owns the IBF, WBO and Ring titles after defeating Desley Robinson on August 8, leaving Shields one win away from becoming undisputed middleweight champion for a third time.

Shields’ criticism of Thibeault’s five-fight record also loses some force when compared with her latest opponent. Scott entered their bout at 42 years old with only seven professional contests. Thibeault is 29, has completed two Olympic campaigns and won gold at the 2022 World Championships.

There are physical questions that five paid bouts do not answer. Thibeault identifies herself as six feet tall, fights southpaw and uses her right jab to control distance before delivering straight left hands. Several inches separate them in height, forcing Shields to cross that distance without allowing the taller champion to dictate the exchanges.

Experience remains Shields’ largest advantage. She has already won undisputed championships across multiple divisions and has operated under championship pressure for most of her career. Thibeault’s amateur background cannot duplicate that seasoning, but it makes her less of a novice than her record suggests.

The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics place a limit on how long the fight can be delayed. Thibeault plans to represent Canada for a third time, which will require amateur competition and preparation that may interfere with her professional schedule.

Waiting may help Thibeault gain seasoning and public attention, but it also risks losing the clean opportunity presently available. Each woman has publicly named the other, giving MVP and Salita Promotions everything required to begin negotiations.