Three Ways Claressa Shields Can Defeat Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse

On Saturday, July 27, at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, Claressa Shields (14-0, 2 KOs) will be aiming to add another world title to her growing collection when she takes on current WBC heavyweight champion Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse (7-1, 2 KOs). The entire card will be shown live on DAZN, and as part of our build-up to fight night, we are looking at three ways the GWOAT can make a successful move to heavyweight and dethrone her Canadian opponent.

Three Potential Ways Claressa Shields Can Defeat Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse

Control the Distance With Her Jab

Going up in weight to fight a naturally heavier woman, will require Shields to utilise her impressive ring IQ. It’s vital she controls the distance and keeps Lepage-Joanisse at range to help negate her power. Asserting her jab early will help the GWOAT to gain control and assert her dominance. Shields must work off the jab and let her combinations go with speed, which will be a huge factor in this fight.

Utilise Her Speed

A key component to Shields defeating Lepage-Joanisse is for her to use her speed, and fire off quick combinations, before moving out of range. Adopting this strategy of using her speed, will enable Shields to pick apart her opponent.

Her movement and fast hand speed will help the GWOAT to frustrate Joanisse, which will be vital to her bossing the bout.

Pick Her Punches

Moving up to heavyweight will present risks for Shields, and it’s vital she’s thoughtful in her work and doesn’t waste her punches. As we previously mentioned the speed of the Flint native will be vital as will the accuracy of her shots. Despite not being a big puncher, if Shields can constantly pick Joanisse off, it will ensure she is in control.

A win for Shields will help her solidify her legacy in making her a four-division world champ, with the GWOAT already achieving undisputed status in middleweight and junior middleweight while also unifying belts at super middleweight.