Claressa Shields vs. Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

The self-acclaimed Greatest Woman of all Time (GWOAT) Claressa Shields is looking to add the heavyweight gold to her middleweight, junior middleweight, and super middleweight titles when she faces power-puncher and WBC heavyweight world champion Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse at Little Ceasars Arena, Detroit, Michigan this weekend. Although Shields is gaining weight, the GWOAT is still the runaway favorite to win another championship fight.

BOXING: WBC, WBF Heavyweight and WBO Light Heavyweight Championship

Where to watch: DAZN

Venue: Little Ceasars Arena, Detroit

Date: 28.07.2024. 06:00

American Claressa Shields will become a former division world champion if she claims heavyweight gold this weekend in her home state of Michigan. The former Olympic gold medallist has unified titles at middleweight, junior middleweight, and light heavyweight. According to ESPN and The Ring, “T-Rex” is the best active female boxer pound-for-pound. Shields, an accomplished and skilful pugilist who turned pro in 2016, is undefeated in the professional ranks. The champ has also dabbled into MMA, fighting for PFL.

• Age: 29
• Height: 5’8”
• Reach: 68”
• Record: 14-0

You’re gonna see me be calmer because I have the energy to do so and the punching power to do so. There won’t be as many punches, but the punches will count and be effective. That’s what you will see. You will see that if she wants to force me to fight inside the pocket – she wanna come and brawl – you’re gonna see that I’m gonna win that.

Clareesa Shields

The Canadian WBC heavyweight champion returned to boxing last year after a six-year hiatus following a failed bid for the WBC heavyweight gold in 2017. Lepage-Joanisse won three fights in 2023 setting her up for a championship title against Abril Vidal last March. “Rampage” earned a hard-fought split decision victory in Montreal to claim the vacant WBC strap.

• Age: 29
• Height: 5’6’’
• Reach: N/A
• Record: 7-1

I’m gonna win the mid-range exchange; I’m gonna win the long-range exchange, and you’re gonna see who’s the true heavyweight in the fight, who has true punching power. I’m hoping she’s prepared for this fight and comes with the confidence that she came to the press conference with – getting in my face and saying I’m too little. I hope she has that same energy when she gets inside the ring because I’m gonna punch her lights out.

Clareesa Shields

Claressa Shields is 3.00 to win the bout by KO/TKO on Bet365 with no to the fight going the distance at 3.00. Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse is a 13.4 underdog on 1XBET, while Betway lists the underdog at 11.00 for the win. Read more here.