A trailblazer, Claressa Shields is ready to add more gold to her impressive resume. The self-proclaimed "G.W.O.A.T." challenges Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse for the WBC heavyweight title on July 27. The fight in Little Caesars Arena airs on DAZN worldwide.
Shields (14-0) is a two-time Olympic gold medalist who holds the record for becoming the fastest to win titles in two and three divisions. The two-division undisputed champion has competed as high as super middleweight.
"T-Rex" believes her skills can transfer to heavyweight, where Lepage-Joanisse has two wins via the power punch.
"I think she's got a pretty good right hand that she tries to sneak in there when you're throwing your combinations," Shields said via DAZN. "She's like, 'boom,' hits you with a straight right hand. She's heavier, she's bigger, and she could take a lot. I watched her fight. She takes a lot of punishment, but she keeps coming, so we prepared for that in camp."
WATCH: Claressa Shields vs. Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse, live on DAZN
Lepage-Joanisse (7-1) is on a four-fight win streak. The Canadian just won the WBC title after challenging for it in 2017 and looks to hold onto the belt while embarrassing Shields in her home state.
On the undercard, rising contenders look to prove they should fight for gold, while young prospects are ready to impress.
Claressa Shields vs. Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse undercard
Here's a breakdown of all the action on the Shields vs. Lepage-Joanisse card.
Michel Rivera vs. Hugo Roldan
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Rivera record: 25-1
- Roldan record: 22-2-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
The co-main event will be Michel Rivera vs. Hugo Roldan.
The 26-year-old Rivera (25-1) had his unbeaten streak snapped against top contender Frank Martin in 2022. He bounced back in November with a win against Sergey Lipinets. Ranked by the WBC, Rivera looks to prove he can fight for gold soon.
"My fans can expect a real fast, explosive Michel Rivera," he said via The Ring. "I've got a new team but the same goal. And that's to be a world champion and dominate the [140-pound] division."
Roldan (22-2-1) is 2-2 in his last four fights, losing against Batyrzhan Jukembayev in September. Fighting out of Argentina, Roldan has seven wins via knockout.
Shohjahon Ergashev vs. Julian Smith
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Ergashev record: 24-1
- Smith record: 8-2
- Belts at stake: N/A
Also on the card will be Shohjahon Ergashev vs. Julian Smith.
Ranked high by the IBF, Ergashev (24-1) was unbeaten before losing his first fight for gold against Subriel Matias in 2023. The Uzbek rebounded with a first-round knockout against Juan Huertas in March. When he's not competing, Ergashev is working on his image, as he has over 2.7 million Instagram followers.
MORE: Top 12 best pound-for-pound fighters in women's boxing
Smith (8-2) is on a two-fight win streak and looks to go 2-0 in 2024. "The Quiet Storm" has five wins via knockout.
Ernesto Mercado vs. Hector Edgardo Sarmiento
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Mercado record: 15-0
- Sarmiento record: 21-2
- Belts at stake: N/A
Headlining the undercard will be Ernesto Mercado vs. Hector Edgardo Sarmiento.
A 2023 Prospect of the Year candidate, winning the award for Boxing Scene, Mercado (15-0) went 5-0 last year and is already 2-0 in 2024. The 22-year-old has won all but one fight via knockout.
Sarmiento (21-2) is 2-2 in his last four fights, losing against eventual world champion Denys Berinchyk in 2020. That was his last fight, as he returns to action to face a red-hot Mercado.
Samantha Worthington vs. Edina Kiss
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Worthington record: 8-0
- Kiss record: 16-20
- Belts at stake: N/A
Samantha Worthington faces Edina Kiss.
Ranked high by the WBO and IBF, Worthington (8-0) is a five-time National Champion and the first to sign with Shields' T-Rex Promotions. The once-Olympic hopeful beat former multi-time world champion Yazmin Rivas to start 2024.
Kiss (16-20) is on a three-fight losing streak and hasn't won consecutive fights since 2016 to 2017. A former title contender, she has faced the likes of Amanda and Cindy Serrano, Heather Hardy, Mikaela Mayer, and Shelly Vincent.
Husam Al Mashhadi vs. Bruno Leonardo Romay
- Division/Weight: Super Welterweight
- Mashhadi record: 9-1
- Romay record: 22-13
- Belts at stake: N/A
Further down the card is Husam Al Mashhadi vs. Bruno Leonardo Romay.
Mashhadi (9-1) is on a three-fight win streak, with all three ending via knockout. He looks to go 3-0 in 2024.
MORE: Claressa Shields out to conquer heavyweight challenge in Detroit
Romay (22-13) is 1-9 in his last ten fights and hasn't won consecutive fights since contests between 2016 and 2017. The 36-year-old from Argentina has 19 wins via knockout.
Cameran Pankey vs. Shaileik Paisley
- Division/Weight: Featherweight
- Pankey record: 9-1
- Paisley record: 4-4
- Belts at stake: N/A
Cameran Pankey faces Shaileik Paisley.
Pankey (9-1) looks to rebound following a loss against Juan Hernandez Martinez in February. "The Problem" has only competed in six-round fights to start his career.
Paisley (4-4) is 3-1 in his last four fights but had his unbeaten streak snapped in September.
Danielle Perkins vs. Christianne Fahey
- Division/Weight: Heavyweight
- Perkins record: 4-0
- Fahey record: 2-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Danielle Perkins and Christianne Fahey compete in heavyweight action.
A 2019 World Championships gold medalist, Perkins (4-0) had a two-year gap between fights, competing in 2021 and this past March. "New Era," 41, has two wins via knockout.
Fahey (2-1) lost her last fight last July. Born in Scotland, her two wins have come via knockout.
Gordie Russ II vs. Josiah Shackleford
- Division/Weight: Super Welterweight
- Russ record: 6-1
- Shackleford record: 3-2
- Belts at stake: N/A
Finally, Gordie Russ II faces Josiah Shackleford.
Russ (6-1) has won all his fights via knockout. He ended 2023 with a loss and looks to rebound after almost seven months away from the ring.
MORE: How much are tickets to Claressa Shields vs. Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse?
A Golden Gloves competitor, Shackleford (3-2) is 1-2 in his last four fights.
Claressa Shields vs. Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse tune-in info
- Date: Saturday, July 27
- Time: 9 p.m. ET | 6 p.m. PT
- Location: Little Caesars Arena — Detroit, Michigan
- How to watch:
Claressa Shields vs. Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse tickets 2024
When Claressa Shields is home in Michigan, it is one hot ticket. Her fight against Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse is in Little Caesars Arena. Home to the Detroit Red Wings and Pistons, the arena can hold up to 22,000 people.
Tickets start at $29 via StubHub.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >
