Renowned middleweight champion Claressa Shields has been paired with a new opponent for her upcoming title defense. The fight, scheduled for June 3rd in Detroit and streaming live on DAZN, will see Shields put her WBA, WBC, and WBO belts on the line.
As indicated in a recent press release, Hanna Gabriels, Shields’ original competitor, had to step down after testing positive for the banned steroid clostebol. Consequently, WBO’s top-ranked fighter, Maricela Cornejo, is stepping in as Shields’ challenger.
Cornejo (16-5, 6 KOs), a seasoned 36-year-old boxer based in Los Angeles, has previously challenged for titles on three occasions, facing off with 160-pounder Kali Reis and 168-pounder Franchon Crews Dezurn.
Undefeated champion Shields (13-0, 2 KOs) recently claimed victory over Savannah Marshall with a unanimous decision last October. Excited about the upcoming match, Shields states,
“I told my team to get me the best. Cornejo is a tall, tough Mexican full of pride who’s in great shape and wants to beat me. She’s ranked No. 1. That’s exactly what I want for my Detroit homecoming and my fans around the world. I’m looking forward to a great performance on June 3.”
