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Claressa Shields and Vanessa Joanisse discuss the July 27 title fight

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Claressa Shields and Joanisse face-off

Undisputed middleweight world champion and boxing superstar Claressa “GWOAT” Shields of Flint, Michigan, and her next opponent, Vanessa Joanisse of Quebec, Canada, discussed their upcoming fight.

On Saturday, July 27, at Little Caesars Arena and live on the world’s leading sports platform DAZN, Shields (14-0, 2 KO) will move into two weight classes to face Joanisse (7-1, 2 KO) for the WBC heavyweight title women’s heavyweight World Championships and, at the same time, an attempt to win a historic title in the fourth weight category. The vacant WBO featherlight heavyweight title is also at stake.

The women’s superfight will be the main attraction of a very special edition of “Gigantic Time Boxing USA”, presented by Salita Promotions and 313 Presents.

Klaressa Shields

It’s always good to be here. I knew I blew the roof off of this place last year, so I was excited when I got the call that they wanted us to come back.

People talk about my fame, but they always leave out the fact that I was destitute until I was 16. They always leave out the fact that I didn’t have a bed until I was 17, when I won the Olympics. They always leave out the fact that I had to buy my first car because I was riding the bus and watching my mom struggling in the snow. People never see how much demanding work I have to put into making me who I am.

I’ve fought at 154 pounds before. Vanessa wrestled up to 231 pounds. I don’t take her lightly at all. I have a lot of respect for her.

I have never had the pleasure of breaking my record (while losing my opponents) in my career. I’m the best player in the world because I beat the best. I beat the best in three different weight classes and on July 27 I move to the fourth weight class.

I believe that on July 27 I will become heavyweight champion of the world. As you can see, I’m not a real heavyweight and that’s okay. When it comes to women’s boxing, I would travel many miles to prove that we deserve equality, equal pay, equal opportunities and equal places to fight.

I’ve been saying for years that I could fill stadiums like Little Caesars and Madison Square Garden. They never gave me a chance. Now I had the opportunity once and on July 27 there will be 19,000 people and it will be a great fight.

I can’t wait to face Vanessa. He volunteers and becomes a bounty hunter. It is vast and shifts its body weight. I can’t wait for her to do all this to me so I can show her “you’re massive and everything and you’re forceful, but I haven’t fought anyone who wasn’t massive and forceful.” I’m at the gym gaining weight for you. Yesterday I squatted 230 and now I’m bench pressing 185 to keep that massive girl away.

Be sure to come to the fight on July 27. I’ll show you what women’s boxing is all about. It’s about great competition, great players and showing who is really the best. Don’t just talk about it.

People say I don’t have knockout power, but I also have to kill myself to gain weight. Now that I don’t, I think I’ll put an end to this whole conversation. She’s coming massive, forceful and speedy, but I’m coming massive, forceful and speedy too.

Vanessa to Joan

(When she got the call to fight Shields) I said let’s go! I want the popularity Claressa has. She is the face of women’s boxing and I want this fight. She has what I want.

(Are you ready for the massive stage?) People know my strength and power, but they don’t see my heart. I’ve been through so much in my life. Like Claressa, I feed off of this. Little Caesars will be packed with tons of fans screaming for her, but I’ll have all of Quebec behind me. They know my history and they know that on July 27 I will take this belt home with me.

This is a story in progress. I am inspired by the history of boxing in Quebec. When I won the belt, my dream came true. But now I want to go further and beat Claressa Shields here in Detroit.


Selected quotes:

Dmitriy Salita, Salita Promotions – Claressa aims to follow in the footsteps of Roy Jones Jr and become the only woman to ever make the jump from junior middleweight to heavyweight and win a world title. I want to thank Eye of the Tiger and Mr. Estephan for helping me make this happen.

Next week we will announce the undercard, which will feature some of the best fighters from Michigan and around the world taking part in the most demanding fights. We are bringing Gigantic Time Boxing back to Detroit and making Detroit once again a center for world-class professional boxing.

Howard Handler, President of 313 Presents – We are very excited to be working with two great warriors. 313 Presents promotes and produces over 350 shows annually and entertains over 2 million people annually. It’s a place where a lot of amazing things happen and it’s an amazing backdrop to stage an even bigger fight this year.

Everyone knows Detroit has a deep legacy in boxing and I’m looking forward to this fight. This will be an amazing battle. We want to continue to strengthen Detroit’s position as the premier destination in the world for boxing. We have to show them what we can do in Detroit.

Camille Estephan, Eye of the Tiger – This is a very significant fight for women’s boxing. I’m here to introduce Vanessa, the WBC heavyweight champion. After the fight, we go home still with the belt.

This will be the best fight in 2024. Honestly, our goal is to go to Detroit to take something very significant with us. Not only the belt, but Klaressa’s popularity, no disrespect.

Mark Taffet, President of Mark Taffet Media – Vanessa is a great ambassador for women’s boxing. She comes to fight and represents the style that women’s boxing wants to present. For her to rise to the next level and put her WBC heavyweight championship on the line… she didn’t have to do that. He has the strength and courage to move on.

Claressa makes history in every fight. In 2003, Roy Jones became the first man in 100 years to move up from middleweight and win the world heavyweight championship. On July 27, Claressa will try to do it again and become the first woman to do so. Once again, we are excited that she will be able to continue to build on her legacy in the sport and one day be on her way to the boxing hall of fame. She still has many stories to write and is determined to create them.

Tickets for the July 27 event are on sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com and at the XFINITY Box Office at Little Caesars Arena.

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Boxing

The fight between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel will take place on December 14 at the Toyota Arena

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Rocha vs Curiel

In a clash of forces between two world title contenders, NABO welterweight titleholder Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2-0, 16 KO) will put his skills to the test against undefeated knockout and NABF welterweight titleholder Raul “El Cugar “. Curiel (15-0, 13 KO).

The 10-round main event will take place on Saturday, December 14, live from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.

“‘The best versus the best’ is Golden Boy’s mantra and that’s what fans will see as Rocha and Curiel take on everything that’s on the table,” said President and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Rocha is a veteran whose goal is to win the world title, Curiel is an undefeated blue-chip prospect with huge potential. It’s really a 50/50 fight and I’m looking forward to it.”

Tickets for the Rocha vs. match Curiel will go on sale on Friday, October 11 at 10 a.m. PT and will be priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25, excluding applicable service fees. A confined number of Golden Boy VIP Experience tickets will also be available, including exclusive merchandise and fight night upgrades. Standard and VIP tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, Toyota-arena.com, Goldenboy.com or at the Toyota Arena box office from Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 16:00

“I’ve seen Raul Curiel all these years and he never once mentioned my name,” Alexis Rocha said. “After my last defeat, he suddenly became interested in fighting me. If he thinks I’ve lost a step or somehow had an simple fight, he’s in for a rude awakening. I can’t wait to make a statement and show the world what I’m capable of.”

Santa Ana, California Rep. Alexis “Lex” Rocha comes from a struggling family. The younger brother of Ronny Rios, he was the youngest fighter to win a gold medal at the Junior Olympics at the age of 14 in 2012 and caught the attention of the boxing world by becoming a six-time national champion during his amateur career. Rocha signed with Golden Boy in January 2016 and made his professional debut in March 2016, defeating Jordan Rosario at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. Since then, he has amassed an enviable record of powerful knockouts over top contenders and plans to return to world title contention, with his last fight being a victory over undefeated Santiago Dominguez on July 19 last year.

“The fans can expect a war,” said Raul Curiel. “I’m going to prepare well to put on a great show. This will be the most essential fight of my career so far. I know Alexis is a great fighter, a good opponent and will also show up prepared. My focus is on Alexis and if I can beat him, I know it will give me a chance to fight for the world championship.

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George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team

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George Kambosos beats Teofimo

Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.

Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.

The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.

Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.

The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.

“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.

“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.

“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”

Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.

“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].

Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.

“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.

Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.

“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.

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Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul

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Mike Tyson comeback black

One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.

WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.

Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.

“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.

“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.

“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.

He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”

Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.

Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.

Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.

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