Claressa Shields wins heavyweight title via TKO over Vanessa LePage-Joanis

DETROIT – Claressa Shields expected the game to end early. But not this early.

After three knockouts, Shields captured the vacant WBO light heavyweight title and WBC heavyweight title at 1:09 of the second round with a TKO win over Vanessa Lepage-Joanis on Saturday night.

Shields (15-0, 3 KOs) rose to claim world titles in both the fourth and fifth weight classes in front of a star-studded crowd at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, including legendary boxing champion Thomas “The Killer” Hearns.

“The newfound power makes me happy,” Shields said. “It really shocked me. I’m not going to lie.”

From the opening bell, Shields got off to a fast start, landing a series of combinations, riding the crowd’s energy to dominate the second round.

Shields dropped Lepage-Joanisse (22-3-1) for the third and final time with a powerful uppercut just before the bout was stopped. Her speed and power were too much for Lepage-Joanisse, who was defending her WBC title for the first time.

“I’ve put on some great performances, but is this my best knockout? Absolutely,” Shields said. “But is this my best performance… I’ve fought a lot of great fighters and I’ve looked really good. Maybe. I’ll have to go and see. The way I rate myself and the way everyone rates me is very different.”

Prior to her latest win, Shields had won 10 straight fights by decision. Her last win came by knockout in August 2017 over Nikki Adler in her fourth professional fight.

Shields said she focused on her strength training. She added that she gained 15 pounds of muscle but had to lose five pounds to reach the maximum weight of 175 pounds.

“I think we were very strategic about it,” Shields said with a smile. “I was able to take all my pills and everything and I felt strong tonight and I’m a little scared of myself.”

Shields entered the ring with Detroit rapper Dej Loaf and got the crowd going.

She is unsure whether or not she will remain in the heavyweight division after becoming the fourth fighter to win titles in at least four weight classes and the third to hold titles in five or more.

There is a possibility that Shields could return to Detroit for another heavyweight title fight in December, but nothing is certain yet.

“We have 10 days to make a decision,” Shields said. “Of course I think I can compete at any weight, and there are some tough challenges at heavyweight, so I’ll let my team and I think together to see what’s the best option and what makes the most sense.”