Claressa Shields’ undisputed super welterweight title fight with Marie-Eve Dicaire, first scheduled for last May and ultimately torpedoed by the coronavirus, is back on. The two are set to fight in the main event of a March 5th FITE PPV in Shields’ native Flint, Michigan.
The event will run you a cool $29.95, and those of you without FITE can catch it on “ all major cable, satellite and telco outlets.”
Shields (10-0, 2 KO), a two-time Olympic gold medalist, unified the WBC and IBF super middleweight titles before dropping to 160, where she began a quest for undisputed status that ultimately saw her dominate Christina Hammer for all the marbles. Upon dropping to 154, she ran over Ivana Habazin for the vacant WBC and WBO belts.
Though she recently confirmed a move to MMA, it seems she’s got some unfinished business in the ring.
“I’m excited to be fighting another undefeated champion and to have the opportunity to make history by becoming the first fighter – male or female – to be undisputed champion in two weight divisions in the four-belt era,” said Claressa Shields. “Headlining my first pay-per-view event with this historic all-women’s card, particularly at such an important time in the evolution of women’s boxing and around the International Women’s Day celebration, is so meaningful to me. We’re going to put on one heck of a show for the world to see. It’s one big step for boxing and one giant step for Womankind. I can’t wait to fight Marie Eve Dicaire on March 5.”
Dicaire (17-0, 0 KO), fighting outside her native Canada for the first time, claimed the IBF belt with a 2018 decision over Chris Namus and has successfully defended it three times. If you’re wondering how the WBA belt got involved, they seem to have stripped Hanna Gabriels for no apparent reason and slapped it onto this matchup because they’re cretins.
“I’m happy to finally be able to get back in the ring and face Claressa Shields,” said Dicaire. “It’s been a year now that I’ve been preparing exclusively for this fight. I’m used to making history in women’s boxing. I was the first woman to lead an event in a major amphitheater in Canada. On two occasions, my IBF defenses have been shown on pay-per-view in Canada. I have a lot of respect for everything Shields has accomplished; I am excited about this opportunity for my career and for the advancement of international women’s boxing. Like Claressa I am undefeated and, just like her, I am coming to defend my world crown. We are going to have a lot of fun on March 5 measuring our skills, without restraints, and putting on a grandiose and memorable show. We have been waiting for this moment for a very long time. I would like to thank all those who made this event possible and I invite you to be there on March 5 in large numbers!”
The undercard has yet to be announced, though the press release names three participants presently booked to face TBA: 2019 heavyweight amateur world champion Danielle Perkins, (2-0, 1 KO), Floyd Mayweather protege Nadia Meknouzi (5-0, 5 KO), and Olympic alternate turned interim WBA super welterweight champion Raquel Miller (10-0, 4 KO).