Claressa Shields Secures Knockout Victory, Expands Title Collection

DETROIT – Claressa Shields made headlines Saturday night by knocking out WBC heavyweight champion Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse in the second round, marking her titles in a fourth and fifth division. Shields, who boasts an undefeated record of 15-0 with three knockouts, showcased her boxing prowess by ending the first round with a series of powerful combinations. She continued her offensive in the second round, delivering a flurry of punches that sent Lepage-Joanisse to the canvas for the final time just over a minute into the round. This bout was Shields' first since defending her undisputed middleweight title nearly 14 months ago, where she won a unanimous decision against Maricela Cornejo. In the interim, she also competed in mixed martial arts, achieving a 2-1 record. Shields, who gained and then lost weight leading up to the fight, emphasized her training focus on leg and arm strength to counter Lepage-Joanisse's powerful style. A two-time Olympic gold medalist, Shields has made history as the first American boxer to win consecutive Olympic medals and was recognized as Sportswoman of the Year by the Women's Sports Foundation last October. Her popularity has drawn significant attention to boxing events in Detroit, including a sold-out card at Little Caesars Arena featuring emerging talent. The event also saw notable performances from other fighters, including Michel Rivera, who won a split decision against Hugo Alberto Roldan, and Julian Smith, a deaf boxer who improved his record with a victory over Shohjahon Ergashev.