Claressa in Detroit for Heavyweight Challenge, Yokasta Valle in Costa Rica and More News
By David A. Avila
It’s a dangerous fight for Claressa Shields.
“I’m not taking her lightly at all,” said Shields about the heavyweight champion on social media.
Yes, Shields is the top female fighter pound for pound. And yes, she destroyed super welterweights, middleweights and super middleweights. But moving up to heavyweights to win a world title and then return to super middleweights or lower may be risky business.
Just ask Roy Jones Jr.
Shields (14-0) attempts to conquer another division when she meets WBC heavyweight titlist Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse (7-1) on Saturday July 27, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. DAZN will show the Salitas Promotion fight card.
The boxing card features a load of talent including three sizzling super lightweights Shohjahon Ergashev, Michel Rivera and Southern California’s Tito Mercado in separate fights.
But Shields is the main star and her attempt to win another division world title, this time in the heavyweight division, comes with a danger, danger tag. Not only because of the opposition, but the ability to return to the lower weights.
Back in the beginning of the millennial, the great Roy Jones Jr. was dominating super welterweights, middleweights, super middleweights and light heavyweights. Then the super quick and talented fighter from Pensacola, Florida jumped up to contend for the heavyweight world title against John Ruiz.
Jones defeated Ruiz.
But after that fight, and after he gained weight to bulk up, the return to his natural weight class saw him with heavier legs. The incredible speed and agility in his legs was gone forever. Even his hand speed seemed a tad slower.
Jones barely defeated Antonio Tarver in his return to light heavyweight, and then he was knocked out in the second round of the rematch. And in his very next fight Glen Johnson knocked him out too. It seems the super speed and reflexes that allowed him to defeat the likes of James “Lights Out” Toney was gone.
Shields shares many of the same traits as Jones.
So far, Shields has never met another fighter with her same speed and skill. So far, the super athlete has cruised through an abundance of world champions such as Franchon Crews-Dezurn, Savannah Marshall, Hanna Gabriels and Christina Hammer.
Now, at 29, the superb fighter from Flint, Michigan is combating time and extra weight when she challenges Joanisse.
That extra pound or two and can make all the difference. Just ask Roy Jones Jr.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist has a bigger problem this Saturday in her attempt to win another weight division. The extra weight can make a difference. Maybe not on Saturday, but after.
Yoka and Company
Top minimumweight contender Yokasta Valle (31-3, 10 Kos) returned to Costa Rica and with more than 8,000 fans watching defeated India’s Ramandeep Kaur (15-4) by second round stoppage.
It was Valles first fight since suffering a loss to Seniesa Estrada for the undisputed minimumweight world championship last March 29. That loss in Phoenix, Arizona, is still on her mind and she let the public know.
Valle told the fans she is seeking a rematch with Estrada as soon as possible.
Also on the same card, Adelaida Ruiz, Maricela Cornejo and Naomy Valle all won their bouts on the under card.
Mario Vega, who advises Valle and promoted the fight card in Costa Rica, said that the four-division champion signed a new contract with Golden Boy Promotions.
More Fight News
Argentina
Lucia Garcia (1-0) beat Veronica Nunez (0-2) by majority decision after four rounds on Saturday July 20. The featherweight bout was held in Buenos Aires.
Australia
Che Kenneally (5-0) knocked out Angie Rocha (14-5-3) in the third round on Saturday July 20. The light heavyweight fight was held in Southport.
On Thursday July 25, featherweights Mariah Turner (5-1) and Sawanya Srisawat (6-2) meet six rounds at Woolloongabba.
Colombia
Lira Huyke (8-5-1) knocked out Natalia Jimenez (1-4) in the third round on Wednesday July 17. The lightweight match was held in Santa Marta. Also, super featherweight Karol Hibbert (3-0) beat Jesica Racedo (0-4) in four.
On Thursday July 25, super featherweights Jenny Tulcan (10-0) and Milanyela Viloria (6-0) meet six rounds at Carmen de Apicala.
On Saturday July 27, super featherweights Paulina Angel (6-1-2) and Diana Ayala (22-15-5) meet 10 rounds at Barranquilla.
On Saturday July 27, super bantamweights Elise Soto (4-0) and Julia Cassiani (5-1) meet six rounds in Cucuta.
Costa Rica
Yokasta Valle (31-3, 10 Kos) knocked out Ramandeep Kaur (15-4) in the second round on Saturday July 20. The minimumweight fight took place in San Jose. Also, super welterweight Maricela Cornejo (19-6) beat Sara Anti Gabriel (4-4) in eight; super flyweight Adelaida Ruiz (16-0-1) defeated Catherine Tacone (4-3-1) in eight; minimumweight Naomy Valle (12-0)
Dominican Republic
Keidali Franco (1-0) won by decision after four rounds versus Marjone Guzman (0-1) on Saturday July 20. The super bantamweight fight took place in San Cristobal.
India
Snezana Siljkovic (6-18-3) defeated Anastasija Isakovic (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday July 20. The bantamweight fight was held in Ustanova.
Italy
Nadia Flalhi (7-4) defeated Mahjouba Oubtil (5-4-2) by split decision after 10 rounds on Sunday July 21. The super lightweight match took place in Marche.
Japan
Honoka Kano (8-1-2) defeated Mont Blanc Miki (6-7-1) by decision after six rounds on Monday July 22. The atomweight fight took place in Tokyo. Also, Ayumi Shuzui (2-0) beat Natsuki Yamada (1-2-3) in four.
Macedonia
On Saturday July 27, light flyweights Elif Delismen (3-0) and Angela Cannizzaro (6-22-1) meet six rounds at Tetovo. Also, flyweights Lorena Bunoza (3-0) and Ivanka Ivanova (6-26-4) meet six.
New Zealand
Maribel Ramirez (15-10-4) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Michelle Preston (13-11-1) on Thursday July 18. The super flyweight fight took place in Auckland.
On Thursday July 25, light flyweights Emma Nesbitt (3-1) and Laite Nanovu (0-1) meet five rounds at Auckland.
Philippines
On Saturday July 27, light flyweights Althea Shine (4-0-1) and Maria Pinili (6-0) meet eight rounds at Tagbilaran City.
South Korea
On Saturday July 27, flyweights Hye Su Jang (2-0) and Joo Young Kim (1-0) meet four rounds at Incheon.
United Kingdom
Chantelle Cameron (19-1) defeated Elhem Mekhaled (17-3) by decision after 10 rounds on Saturday July 20. The super lightweight fight was held in Birmingham.
On Saturday July 27, featherweights Raven Chapman (8-0) and Yohana Sarabia (10-0) meet 10 rounds in London, England.
On Saturday July 27, lightweights Jayne Bardauskas (0-0) and Kerry Orton (0-10) meet six rounds in Sheffield.
USA
Amanda Serrano (47-2-1) knocked out Stevie Morgan (14-2) in the second round on Saturday July 20. The super lightweight fight took place in Tampa, Florida. Also, super middleweight Shadasia Green (14-1) defeated Natasha Spence (8-5-2) in eight.
On Friday July 26, featherweights Iyana Verduzco (1-0) and Colleen Davis (3-1-1) meet six rounds at Commerce, Calif. Also, super bantamweights Chantel Navarro (0-0) and Wildalys Rivera (0-2) meet four rounds.
On Friday July 26, bantamweights Krystal Rosario-Ortiz (3-0) and Veronika Dmitriyeva (1-1) meet six rounds at Orlando, Florida.
On Friday July 26, super lightweights Stacia Suttles (0-0) and Kalindra Faria (1-1) meet four rounds at Atlantic City.
On Friday July 26, super flyweights Evelyn Romo (0-0) and Mollie Backowski (0-2) meet four rounds at Harlingen, Texas.
On Saturday July 27, light flyweights Alezet Valerio (0-0) and Amarilis Adorno (1-11) meet four rounds at Phoenix.
On Saturday July 27, heavyweights Claressa Shields (14-0) and Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse (7-1) meet 10 rounds for the WBC and WBO world titles at Detroit. Also, super lightweights Samanta Worthington (8-0) and Edina Kiss (16-20) meet eight; and middleweights Danielle Perkins (4-0) and Christianne Fahey (2-1) meet six.
On Saturday July 27, super featherweights Hannah Rapp (2-0) and Jessica Radtke (1-0) meet four rounds in Wittenberg, Wisconsin.