Shields Drops Lepage-Joanisse Three Times To Become WBC Heavyweight Champ

Claressa Shields dropped Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse three times to become the WBC Heavyweight World Champion.

Shields arrived into the fight with plenty to prove over who is the GWOAT. The term refers to the greatest woman of all time and has become synonymous with Shields. However, following Amando Serrano’s win over Stevie Morgan on the Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry card, she referred to herself as the GWOAT. 
Serrano is the former Undisputed Featherweight Champion and a seven-weight division world champion.

At the same time, Katie Taylor is a two-weight undisputed champion following her feats at lightweight and junior welterweight. Alycia Baumgardner is also the former Undisputed Super Featherweight Champion. All three have a claim to the term GWOAT, meaning that Shields had something to prove. She called them all out but had to get past Lepage-Joanisse first. 

Shields’ Aim

“I didn’t come here to be nice, everybody talking about ‘who’s the GWOAT.’ Who’s undefeated?! Who got the most belts?! Who make the million dollars the last couple times she fought without a promoter giving her a handout?! That’s who the GWOAT is. Who fights the best?

“Who don’t struggle in fights no matter what style?! Exactly. So all that comparison about who the GWOAT is, I can go to any weight class and win. That’s who the GWOAT is. I’ll be winning Saturday night and any of those girls who want to be the GWOAT, all you got to do is make a fight with me: Alycia Baumgardner, Amanda Serrano, Katie Taylor. All you got to do is make a fight with me and then I can show you you’re not the GWOAT for many reasons,” Shields said 

Shields jumped up two weight divisions as a light heavyweight. The vacant WBO Light Heavyweight Title was also on the line, in addition to Lepage-Joanisse’s heavyweight belt. Claressa backed up her words with a superlative performance.

Shields Delivers

Shields began the first round with her jab to set up her combinations via the right hand. The challenger was much slower, allowing Shields to let her hands go and land a left hook and a right hand. The fight did not last much longer, with Shields ending proceedings in the second.

Lepage-Joanisse was falling short, allowing Shields to counter with a right hand to the head, which dropped her. Lepage-Joanisse got up, only for Shields to drop her with an overhand right across the jaw. Just as Lepage-Joanisse’s corner considered throwing in the towel, Shields dropped her again with a right hand, forcing the referee to stop the fight. The win means Shields is a four-division world champion, as she looks to the future.

“I shocked myself. I’m not gonna lie. I put her down three times, so hey, the GWOAT stays. Maybe I can stay at heavyweight if I’m going to be this strong inside the ring,” Shields said 

Full Card

Claressa Shields beat Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse by TKO in the second round

Michel Rivera beat Hugo Alberto Roldan by split decision (99-90, 94-95, 98-91)

Julian Smith beat Shohjahon Ergashev by split decision (94-95, 95-94, 95-94)

Cameran Pankey beat Shaileik Paisley by unanimous decision (60-54, 60-54, 60-54)

Josiah Shackleford beat Gordie Russ II by unanimous decision (59-55, 59-55, 59-55)

Husam Al Mashhadi beat Bruno Leonardo Romay by KO in the first round

Ernesto Mercado beat Hector Edgardo Sarmiento by TKO (corner stoppage) in the fourth round

Jaquan McElroy beat Travis Floyd by unanimous decision (40-36, 39-37, 39-37)

Samantha Worthington beat Edina Kiss by TKO (corner stoppage) in the third round

Danielle Perkins beat Christianne Fahey by unanimous decision (60-54, 59-55, 59-55)

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