Self-proclaimed “GWOAT” Claressa Shields (you know what those initials mean: Greatest Woman of All Time!) is looking to further prove herself in her next bout. As multiple media outlets are reporting, Shields, 14-0(2), will move up to heavyweight on July 27 to challenge current WBC women's heavyweight champion Vanessa Lepage-Joanis.
The bout will take place in Detroit, and Shields will be seeking to become a four-division world champion. Shields said it's an exciting move for her, and that the fight will add to the excitement that women's boxing is currently enjoying. And a win would add to Shields' greatness.
It's an intriguing bout, but also a bit confusing in terms of the world titles at stake: Canada's Lepage-Joanicet is the WBC women's heavyweight champion, but weighed just under 174 pounds when she won the belt, so the vacant WBO light heavyweight title will also be on the line on July 27 (similar to when the vacant 168-pound belt was also on the line when Sugar Ray Leonard defended his 175-pound belt against 175-pound belt holder Donny Lalonde in 1988). Shields, of course, has held world titles at 154, 160 and 168 pounds.
Lepage-Joanis is naturally the larger fighter of the night, but this bout marks a big step up in weight class. The 28-year-old Lepage-Joanis retired from boxing after the only loss of her career, a stoppage loss to Alejandra Jimenez while challenging for the WBC heavyweight title in August 2017. Since returning in March of last year, Lepage-Joanis has won four straight fights, including a split decision victory over Abril Argentina Vidal in March of this year to win the vacant WBC heavyweight title.
To be clear, the folks at BoxRec are projecting the bout between Shields, Lepage and Joanis as one for the WBC heavyweight title, the vacant WBO light heavyweight title and the interim WBA light heavyweight title.
Lepage-Joanis, who has a record of 7-1(2), said she, like Shields, is excited about the challenge.
So who knows what will happen on July 27th. Will the move up to 175 pounds be too much for Shields? Will Lepage-Joanis get beaten by a pound-for-pound star? What will happen after the fight, win or lose? Will Shields drop weight, and if so, who will she face?
Shields is very special, but she's never found a dance partner who can bring out the best in her. That may change next month. Or it may not.
