Claressa Shields returns to defend her title  – World Boxing Association

The undisputed undisputed World Boxing Association middleweight champion Claressa Shields returns to the ring next Saturday, June 3 against American Maricel Cornejo at the Little Ceasars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, United States.

Shields was originally scheduled to face WBA light heavyweight champion Hanna Gabriels, but she tested positive to a doping test conducted by VADA. Therefore, Cornejo will be the challenger for “T-Rex”.

Shields made her last defense on October 15, 2022 when she settled her bout with Savannah Marshall by beating her unanimously and becoming the undisputed middleweight champion. 

For her part, Maricela “La Diva” Cornejo comes from delivering a powerful technical knockout to Brazilian Sheila Cunah in Costa Rica on March 25. 

Cornejo has been a world champion challenger on more than one occasion. Among her most notable opponents are; Kali Reis, Eliza Olson, Alma Ibarra and Franchon Crews-Dezurn whom she fought twice. This will be a great challenge for her with the desire to defeat one of the best boxers of the moment and hold all the belts in the division. 

Shields is undefeated in 13 fights with 2 quick knockouts and Cornejo will step into the ring with 16 wins, 6 of them by knockout and 5 losses.