It’s fitting that double Olympic champion Claressa Shields will challenge for yet another world title on the opening day of the boxing competition at Paris 2024. The self-proclaimed GWOAT takes on WBC heavyweight champion Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on July 27.
The finest pound-for-pound fighter in the women’s game, Shields (14-0, 2 KOs) has already captured titles in three weight classes and claimed undisputed honors at super welterweight and middleweight. While the native of Flint, Michigan, has moonlighted in MMA, her true greatness was achieved in boxing long ago.
“Hearing, ‘And now, the heavyweight champion of the world… Claressa Shields’ has never been something I’ve thought about. It’s not something I ever dreamed of,” Shields told The Sporting News recently. “When this opportunity came, and these heavyweight girls were saying I was afraid of them, it was like, ‘Oh, we gotta take this opportunity!'”
WATCH: Claressa Shields vs. Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse, live on DAZN
Despite being the defending champion, Lepage-Joanisse (7-1, 2 KOs) is an unknown quantity. The 29-year-old Canadian picked up the vacant WBC title in February when she scored a 10-round split decision over Abril Argentina Vidal. However, Lepage-Joanisse has never mixed with anyone close to Shields’ caliber and enters this bout as a significant underdog.
While the WBC heavyweight title will be at stake, the weight limit for the bout is 175 pounds. In a confusing twist, the vacant WBO light heavyweight crown will also be on the line.
The Sporting News will provide undercard results and a full report on the main event in Detroit.
Claressa Shields vs. Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse start time
- Date: Saturday, July 27
- Time: 9 p.m. ET | 6 p.m. PT
- Location: Little Caesars Arena — Detroit, Michigan
The Claressa Shields vs. Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse main card airs at 9 p.m. ET. Both fighters should make their way to the ring around 11:30 p.m. ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
How to watch Claressa Shields vs. Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse
Claressa Shields vs. Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse will stream live on DAZN.
- DAZN monthly subscription: $ 19.99 on a 12-month contract or $ 24.99 month-to-month in U.S. | $ 24.99 per month in Canada
- DAZN annual subscription: $ 224.99 in the U.S. | $ 199.99 in Canada
Claressa Shields vs. Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse fight card
- Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse (c) vs. Claressa Shields for the WBC heavyweight title and the WBO light heavyweight title
- Michel Rivera vs. Hugo Alberto Roldan; Super Lightweights
- Julian Smith def. Shohjahon Ergashev via SD 10 (95-94, 95-94, 94-95); Super Lightweights
- Samantha Worthington def. Edina Kiss via TKO 3 (3:00); Super Lightweights
- Cameran Pankey def. Shaeleik Paisley via UD 6 (60-54, 60-54, 60-54); Featherweight
