By Kleberly Mendoza
28 Jul 2024, 12:00 PM EDT
Claressa Shields captured the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight and World Boxing Organization (WBO) light heavyweight titles after knocking out Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse in the second round last Saturday at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
Shields started the fight by landing several combinations, but a left hook shook Lepage-Joanisse before the end of the first round. The Canadian He fell twice at the beginning of the second thanks to the powerful right hand from the American.
After recovering and getting back to her feet, Lepage-Joanisse was knocked down again by another right hook. and the referee stopped the fight at 1:09. “The newfound power feels great. I was really surprised. I’m not going to lie,” Shields said in the post-victory ring interview.
“I’ve had some great performances, but is this my best knockout? Absolutely. But is it my best performance? I have fought a lot of great fighters and I have looked very, very good. Maybe. I have to go see. The way I rate myself and the way you rate me is completely different,” he added.
The last time Claressa Shields She got a knockout in August 2017 against Nikki Adler in her fourth professional fight. In the following 10 fights the American obtained victory on the judges’ cards.
Shields She became the fourth female boxer to win titles in at least four weight classes. and the third with titles in five or more divisions. Although she has not yet made a decision, the GWOAT expressed that there is a possibility that she will return to her hometown of Detroit at the end of the year to defend her heavyweight belt.
“We have 10 days to decide. Of course, I think I can compete in any weight class, and the challenges at heavyweight are very difficult. Therefore, I will let my team and I come to an agreement to see what is the best option and what makes the most sense,” he explained.
The undisputed middleweight champion, Claressa Shields, 29, He now has a record of 15 wins, three of them by knockout, and no losses.Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse, 28, has a record of 7 wins (2 by fast track) and two losses in her professional career.
Keep reading:
· Claressa Shields will fight for the 175-pound title against Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse on July 27
Claressa Shields announces initiative to recognize Detroit youth in her fight with Hanna Gabriels
· Claressa Shields and La Diva Cornejo are ready to put on a great show in Detroit