Two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields made history on Saturday night in Detroit by knocking out WBC heavyweight champion Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse in the second round. Shields moved up two weight classes to fight at 175 pounds, claiming titles in a fourth and fifth division. Lepage-Joanisse was on the defense from the beginning and was unable to withstand Shields’ powerful combinations.
Shields had not boxed since defending her middleweight title 14 months ago, but in between bouts, she had a successful MMA fight. She gained and lost weight strategically for this fight, ensuring she had the strength and power needed to face Lepage-Joanisse. Shields’ victory solidifies her as a dominant force in women’s boxing, with an impressive 15-0 record.
Shields, the first boxer from the United States to win consecutive Olympic medals and the only American to win Olympic gold in boxing since 2004, continues to make waves in the sport. Her star power was evident in the packed arena, with legends like Thomas Hearns in attendance.
The night also saw other exciting fights, with Michel Rivera of the Dominican Republic and Julian Smith from Chicago delivering solid performances on the undercard. Shields’ victory cements her status as a boxing icon and sets the stage for what’s next in her already legendary career.
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