Boxing legend and double undisputed world champion, Claressa Shields, is set to heighten the excitement in the boxing world tonight by challenging the top-ranked middleweight contender, Maricela “La Diva” Cornejo.
Weights: Claressa Shields 159.6 vs. Maricela Cornejo 155
Ardreal Holmes Jr 153.4 vs. Wendy Toussaint 149.8
Da’velle Smith 160.6 vs. K.J. Woods 159.8
Joseph Hicks 159.4 vs. Antonio Todd 158.2
Marlon Harrington 152.8 vs. Gheith Mohammed 152.2
The fight is the main event at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit and will be live on DAZN in the U.S. and Canada. Originally, Shields was supposed to face Hanna Gabriels in a rematch, but the fight card was altered due to the findings of a May 2, 2023 VADA test, which was conducted as part of the WBC Clean Boxer Program, prompting Salita Promotions to make the change.
Dubbed as boxing’s Greatest Woman Of All Time (G.W.O.A.T.) and a proud Michigan native, Shields aims to reestablish Detroit as a hub for prime boxing events. She’ll be challenging Cornejo, the number one contender for the WBC, WBO and IBF titles, in the inaugural boxing event at Little Caesars Arena.
Both fighter shared compelling statements regarding their impending showdown on June 3. Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and an undefeated professional boxer (13-0, 2 KOs), avenged her only amateur loss last October, defeating Savannah Marshall in the U.K. and claiming the WBO Middleweight Title via unanimous decision.
WHAT TIME IS SHIELDS VS. CORNEJO?
- Date: Saturday, June 3
- Main card: 9 p.m. EDT / 2 a.m. BST (Sunday)
- Main event ringwalks (approx): TBC
- DAZN holds the rights to broadcast the fight in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand – Watch LIVE on DAZN
- The fight takes place at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
- The main card starts at 9 p.m. EDT / 2 a.m. BST (Sunday). The exact fight times are yet to be confirmed.
Shields’ most recent fight in her home state of Michigan was a triumphant bout against Marie Eve Dicaire in March 2021, earning her the undisputed super welterweight world championship, a second undisputed title to add to her 2019 victory over the undefeated Christina Hammer, which unified all the middleweight titles.
Cornejo (16-5, 6 KOs), a Washington native who now trains in Las Vegas under renowned trainer Ismael Salas, heads into this fight on a three-match winning streak. Her latest victory came in March, when she took down Sheila Cunha in the first round.
The 36-year-old boxer has previously competed for world titles at both middleweight and super middleweight levels, including narrowly-decided losses to undisputed super middleweight champion Franchon Crews Dezurn in 2018 and 2019. Cornejo’s first shot at a world title came early in her career during her sixth professional fight, where she suffered a nail-biting split-decision loss to Kali Reis in April 2016. Tickets for the live event are currently available for purchase at 313Presents.com, Ticketmaster.com, and at the XFINITY Box Office at Little Caesars Arena. The event is organized by Salita Promotions and 313 Presents.
CLARESSA SHIELDS
“I had to switch my mind set up when Maricela Cornejo became the opponent. She’s tall, she’s fresh and she’s fought for the world title before. This chance to fight for undisputed is once in a lifetime for her. I’m excited to face an opponent who I know is ready to go.
“I’ve watched Cornejo on film and seen how she boxes. The thing is, I just feel like I’m a league above these girls, and I’m gonna show it on Saturday night.
“I’m super excited to fight in front of thousands at Little Caesars Arena. I’ve had to keep my head down and train. I might put the makeup and hair and nice clothes on, but I’m not doing anything but focusing on the fight. This is a big moment for Detroit and myself, but the most important thing right now is just winning this fight.
“No matter who is fighting me on Saturday, they’re getting their ass kicked. The same thing that was gonna happen to my previous opponent, is what’s gonna happen to Cornejo.”
MARICELA CORNEJO
“When I got the call, I was just about ending camp for a fight on June 6. It was perfect timing. Everything lined up so well that I couldn’t say no.
“This was the first camp I ever had a strength and conditioning coach. Coach Larry Wade put me in the best possible shape so that I could take advantage of this opportunity.
“I know what kind of fighter Claressa is, but I also know what kind of fighter I am. I have absolutely no doubt in my ability with this new team I have and the strength and confidence that they installed in me.
“This is Mari 2.0. I’m taking it on. If you watch any film that’s out there on me, there’s absolutely nothing that looks anything like this Maricela. I’m excited for the world to see the new me too.”
ARDREAL HOLMES
“I’m really happy that everyone came out and that Flint and Detroit are gonna get to watch us on Saturday. This is a Michigan thing. It’s a Michigan card. We all want to show out.
“I know that I have to look impressive and open the door for me to eventually fight for a world title. I’m taking it one fight at a time, but I’m coming for the top of the division.
“There’s not much more talking, I’ll just see everyone on June 3.”
WENDY TOUSSAINT
“I’m very happy to be here for this fight. I know my opponent is very tough, but this is nothing new to me. I’ll see you in the ring on Saturday.
“I’ve had a great training camp and I feel prepared for this fight. I respect Holmes, but he’s not going to be bringing anything that I haven’t seen before.”
DMITRIY SALITA, President of Salita Promotions
“Big-time boxing is back in Michigan on June 3 right here at Little Caesars Arena, and we’re going to see Claressa Shields defend her undisputed title against the top rated contender Maricela Cornejo. This is a big event for Detroit, Michigan and boxing as a whole. They say ‘a tree grows in Brooklyn’, but boxing grows in Detroit.
“This is going to be a historic night of boxing. Claressa Shields has opened the door for Michigan and Detroit talent to be seen on a worldwide scale. This card will feature some of the best talent in the world of boxing from right here in the state.
“The city of Flint has provided some of the best fighters in the sport of boxing and many believe that Ardreal Holmes is next in line. He is undefeated and stepping in for the most challenging fight of his career.”
HOWARD HANDLER, President of 313 Presents
“Welcome to fight week. As Detroit’s premier live entertainment company, 313 Presents is excited to present the first ever boxing event here at Little Caesars Arena. We’re making history with this fight.
“I want to thank Claressa and her whole team for all their hard work and preparation, as we’re just a few days away from the big event. I also want to thank Maricela for stepping in and taking on this challenge.
“In addition to the main event, Dmitriy has put together a terrific fight card featuring some of Michigan’s best prospects. On top of Flint, Michigan being represented we’ve got Dearborn and Grand Rapids, and each of these fighters are going to make this first ever boxing event here historic and memorable.
“Claressa, you definitely inspire and give hope to many people out there. Claressa has really gone above and beyond to give back to people who are often overlooked. We’re looking forward to a great crowd and the city being abuzz for boxing.”
CLARESSA SHIELDS – MARICELA CORNEJO FIGHT CARD
- Claressa Shields vs. Maricela Cornejo; For Shields’ WBA, WBC, WBF, WBO and IBF women’s middleweight titles
- Ardreal Holmes Jr. vs. Wendy Toussaint; Super welterweight
- Da’Velle Smith vs. Kahydlian Woods; Middleweight
- Joseph Hicks vs. Antonio Todd; For the WBC Americas silver middleweight title
- Marlon Harrington vs. Gheith Mohamed; Super welterweight
- Joshua James Pagan vs. Ronnell Burnett; Super lightweight
- Vernon Webber vs. Fern. Rod. Simoes de Almeida: Cruiserweight
- Sarah Liegmann vs. Carisse Brown; Featherweight