Known as the GWOAT (Greatest Woman Of All Time) the two-time undisputed world champion Claressa Shields stopped Vanessa LePage-Joanisse (7-2, 2 KOs) in the second round and won the WBC world heavyweight title on Saturday night at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
Shields, a Flint, Michigan native, has dominated every competitor she’s faced. The only knock on the reigning undisputed middleweight champion was the lack of knockouts, but as Shields moved up to heavyweight, she demonstrated knockout power on Saturday night.
Her opponent Vanessa LePage-Joanisse is a Canadian boxer who started her pro career by winning her first three fights. After suffering defeat in 2017, LePage-Joanisse took a six year hiatus from boxing.
She made her return to the ring in 2023 and proceeded to win three fights in a row. In March 2024 LePage-Joanisse defeated Abril Argentina Vidal by way of split-decision and won the vacant WBC heavyweight title.
In her first title defense, LePage-Joanisse faced the ultimate challenge as she was set to fight the best female boxer in the world. In addition to facing elite competition, she was also defending her title in hostile territory.
In the opening round of the WBC heavyweight world title bout, Claressa Shields used her jab to dictate the pace of the round. After landing a hard left hook, Shields closed out the round by landing a flurry of shots.
During the second round of the contest, LePage-Joanisse was in attack mode as Claressa Shields had her back on the ropes. Shields proceeded to score a knockdown when she countered LePage-Joanisse by landing a fast three punch combination.
LePage-Joanisse was able to get up and the match continued. After landing a flurry of shots, Claressa Shields connected with a hard right hand that sent LePage-Joanisse back down to the canvas.
Once again LePage-Joanisse was able to get up, but Shields landed another right hand that floored LePage-Joanisse for a third and final time. With the victory, Claressa Shields (15-0, 3 KOs) won the WBC world heavyweight title, and the vacant WBO light-heavyweight strap.
When it comes to the pound for pound rankings in men’s boxing, it’s a debatable topic, but there is no debate on the women’s side, as Claressa Shields is clearly the best of the best.
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