Claressa Shields became a four-division world champion after defeating Vanessa Joanis by second-round TKO in the WBC heavyweight title fight Saturday night in Detroit.
Shields (15-0, 3 KOs), 29, is one of only three boxers in boxing history to have been undefeated champions in two weight classes (the others being Usyk and Terence Crawford). She currently reigns at middleweight and previously reigned at junior middleweight. Shields is also a former unified super middleweight champion and a two-time Olympic gold medalist (2012 and 2016).
Joanice (7-2, 2 KOs), 29, challenged Alejandra Jimenez for the WBC heavyweight title in 2017, losing by TKO in the third round. After that bout, she was out of boxing for nearly six years due to a car accident. Since returning last year, Joanice had won four straight bouts, including a split decision win over Abril Argentina Vidal to win the title in March, before losing to Shields.
In London, Dereck Chisora defeated Joe Joyce by unanimous decision at the O2 Arena. After 10 rounds, all three judges scored the fight 97-93, 96-94 and 96-94 for Chisora.
Joyce, who was a -450 favorite going into the bout according to ESPN BET, was looking for a win that would put him back in title contention, but Chisora stopped him in the ninth round to secure the win.
Chisora (35-13, 23 years old) is a regular challenger who has faced some of the biggest names in the heavyweight division, most notably in his three straight bouts with Tyson Fury (all losses), and with the majority of his other losses coming against top contenders such as Vitali Klitschko, David Haye, Dillian Whyte, Joseph Parker and unbeaten champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Joyce (16-3, 15 KOs), 38, is a former WBA and WBO mandatory challenger who has never had the opportunity to fight for a world title. His record includes wins over Daniel Dubois, Joseph Parker and Bryant Jennings, but his two losses came via knockout to Zhang Zilei in back-to-back bouts last year.
Where can I watch the Joyce vs Chisora rematch?
A replay of the Joyce vs. Chisora fight will be streamed on ESPN+.
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Joyce vs. Chisora main card:
Main Card:
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Dereck Chisora defeated Joe Joyce by unanimous decision in a 10-round heavyweight bout.
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Ryan Garner defeated Archie Sharpe by unanimous decision in a 10-round junior lightweight bout.
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Moses Itauma defeated Mariusz Wach by second-round TKO in a heavyweight bout.
The Shield vs. Joanis Main Card:
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Title bout: Claressa Shields defeated Vanessa Joanice by second-round TKO to win the WBC heavyweight title.
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Michel Rivera defeated Hugo Alberto Roldan by split decision in a junior welterweight bout.
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Julian Smith defeated Shokhon Ergashev by split decision in a 10-round junior welterweight bout.
What other boxing matches are happening this weekend?
Saturday, Melrose, Massachusetts
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Andriy Novitzky defeated Keith “Rydell” Mays Jr. by first round knockout in a heavyweight bout.
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Joseph Adorno defeated Pablo Ernesto Oliveto by first-round knockout in a junior welterweight bout.
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Nick Molina defeated Lucas Alejandro Mignoni by unanimous decision in a junior welterweight bout.
For other major boxing fights, check out the ESPN boxing schedule.
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Joe Joyce knocks out Joseph Parker with one punch
Joe Joyce ended his fight with Joseph Parker with a blow to the face in the 11th round.
