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After last year’s explosive encounter, Gotti III returns to the ring, determined to avenge his family name against the undefeated legen

READ MORE:Who is Floyd Mayweather girlfriend? What do we know about Gallienne Nabila

It all started as just another exhibition match, but what went down in Florida last year between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and John Gotti III was anything but ordinary. After a lackluster bout with reality TV star Aaron Chalmers, Mayweather took on Gotti III on June 11, and things quickly spiraled out of control. The trash talk flew, tensions escalated, and before anyone knew it, the ring erupted into chaos, with an all-out brawl spilling into the arena. It was a spectacle that left fans questioning whether they’d witnessed a fight or a full-on melee.

Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III: Live round-by-round updates - MMA  Fighting

Fast forward a year, and the buzz hasn’t died down. The fiery feud between Mayweather and Gotti III has been simmering ever since that wild night, with rumors of a rematch swirling. Well, the wait is over. Mayweather and Gotti III are officially set to throw down once again, this time on August 24 at Arena CDMX in Mexico City. The anticipation is off the charts, and Gotti III gave us an exclusive look into his mindset as he prepares for the biggest fight of his life.

Gotti III isn’t just stepping into the ring for himself-he’s fighting for his legacy. In a candid chat, he opened up about his intense training regime and how he’s spent the past year reflecting on that explosive showdown with Mayweather. Facing off against a boxing legend is no small feat, and Gotti III admits it’s taken time to process everything that happened in Florida. But now, he’s ready to channel all that experience into one goal: redemption.

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Gotti III channels his infamous grandfather’s fierce spirit in Mayweather rematch

As the conversation shifted, the topic of Gotti III’s notorious grandfather, the late John Gotti, inevitably came up. What would the infamous Gambino crime boss think of his grandson going toe-to-toe with one of the greatest boxers of all time? Gotti III didn’t hold back-he thinks his grandfather would’ve been all in. “He would’ve wanted to rip Floyd’s head off when things got heated,” Gotti III quipped, clearly proud of his family’s fierce spirit.

Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III Stopped, Brawl Ensues - Sports  Illustrated MMA News, Analysis and More

But beneath the bravado, there’s a deeper motivation driving Gotti III. He’s not just fighting for himself-he’s fighting to uphold the Gotti name. “I’m out here to earn respect for my family and make a positive impact on our legacy,” he said, showing that this battle is personal on a whole new level.

UPDATE:Fans mock Floyd Mayweather after his workout on the bag as he prepares for August 23 fight

With the fight just weeks away, Gotti III is putting the finishing touches on his training. He’s heading to Mexico City soon, ready to face the man who pushed him to the brink last June. This time, though, Gotti III says he’s coming in stronger, both physically and mentally. The stakes are higher, the pressure is immense, but he’s laser-focused on one thing: victory.

As fight night approaches, the world will be watching. Can John Gotti III do what no one else has and hand Floyd Mayweather Jr. his first-ever loss? It’s the kind of showdown that could go down in boxing history, and with emotions running high, anything could happen. Stay tuned-this is one rematch you don’t want to miss.

Defending Cincinnati Open champion Novak Djokovic will not take part in this year’s tournament following his success at the Paris Olympics. (More Tennis News)

Djokovic, who claimed his first gold medal at Roland-Garros against Carlos Alcaraz last week, has withdrawn from the US Open tune-up event in the United States. 

The Serbian became only the second player after Andre Agassi in the Open Era have won all four Grand Slams, the gold medal at the Olympics and the ATP Tour Finals.

Novak Djokovic Gets Walkover Into Wimbledon Semifinals

Djokovic also became the oldest player (37y 74d) to secure the gold medal in either the men’s or women’s singles at the Olympics, since the sport’s reinstatement as an Olympic event in 1988.

However, he has chosen to focus on the upcoming US Open, a competition he won 12 months ago against Daniil Medvedev to claim the latest of his 24 grand slam titles.

“We certainly understand that it is a quick turnaround from his Olympic triumph to come to Cincinnati,” Tournament Director Bob Moran said in a news release.

“His title run here last year was so memorable. We are eager to see him on court again soon.”

Novak Djokovic accuses two sports of 'endangering' tennis as he shares big  worries | Tennis | Sport | Express.co.uk

 Last year in Cincinnati, Djokovic claimed the title in three sets against Alcaraz, claiming his second win over the Spaniard in their fourth meeting.

The Serbian’s victory over Alcaraz at the Games took his record to 5-4 over the world number three having lost in the Wimbledon final the previous month.

Djokovic’s withdrawal moves Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard into the draw.

Yevgeny Kafelnikov has lauded Novak Djokovic as the greatest tennis player of all time but believes that he cannot lay claim to being sports greatest ever athlete.

Kafelnikov puts basketball superstar Michael Jordan, who also played baseball at the pro level, on a pedestal as the greatest athlete of all time.

He says that Jordan’s charismatic draw sets him aside as someone that you just needed to see.

Djokovic Nips Switek as Top '22 Earner With Record $4.74M Payday

“There’s no doubt that Novak is the greatest tennis player of all time, that’s for sure. You can’t put him on the same level as Michael Jordan… I don’t think so, because I grew up idolising the greatest athlete of all time, which was Michael Jordan,” Kafelnikov wrote in a social media post.

“All I wanted to do was watch him play live. To me, he’s still number one, but Novak is definitely in the top three greatest athletes of all time, without a doubt – all the accomplishments, the records he’s broken, the titles he’s won.”

Djokovic found an answer for the new generation at last in Paris, blowing away many with his efforts in overcoming Carlos Alcaraz in the gold medal match.

The Serbian had identified the need to find a way to best the likes of Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner after he was bested in straight sets by the Spaniard at Wimbledon.

“Well, the Olympic Games and US Open are the two big goals for the rest of the year for me really,” Djokovic said as he took in his loss at SW19.

“I’m hoping I can be at my best on those two tournaments, yeah. That’s all I can say right now.

Novak Djokovic won't play in BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells - Los Angeles  Times

“I mean, being able to reach the finals of Wimbledon, of course, it’s a great confidence boost. But I also feel like in a matchup today against best player right now in the world for sure, I mean, other than Jannik, and both of them are the best this year by far, I feel like I’m not at that level.

“In order to really have a chance to I guess beat these guys in Grand Slam latter stages or Olympics, I’m going to have to play much better than I did today and feel much better than I did today.

“I’m going to work on it. It’s not something I haven’t experienced before ever in my life. I’ve had so many different experiences throughout my career. In the face of adversity, normally I rise and I learn and get stronger.

“That’s what I’m going to do.”

 

When Novak Djokovic thinks he’s hit a winner on an important point, he often elongates his grunt as the ball comes off his racquet. So it was no surprise when he did just that in Paris on Sunday at the end of one of the most cathartic victories of his career, over Carlos Alcaraz in the Olympic gold-medal match at Roland Garros.

In the second-set tiebreak, Djokovic sprinted down the homestretch and wasted no time crossing the finish line. On match point, he took the first forehand he saw, reached back a little farther than normal on his swing, made his grunt extend a little longer, and clubbed the ball with total confidence. Even the speedy Alcaraz, who normally gets to everything, could only hang his head and wave as it went by.

For me, the shot triggered memories of another, similar Olympic match point from 12 years earlier. This one belonged to Serena Williams, when she won her own long-sought singles gold medal, in a rout over Maria Sharapova on Centre Court. On match point, Serena also reached back a little farther to hit her serve, and sent an ace screaming straight down the T. Her celebratory yell seemed to come even before the ball had left her strings.

Djokovic lamenta lo sucedido con Serena pero rechaza su teoría sexista

That Serena celebration didn’t just pop into my mind from nowhere. At the same time that Djokovic was inching, sometimes gingerly, toward gold, I watched  “In the Arena,” the ESPN documentary on Serena’s career. The juxtaposition made me think about their careers side-by-side.

Djokovic has 24 major titles; Williams finished with 23. Serena won four straight majors—the Serena Slam—in 2002-03 and 2014-15; Djokovic won four straight—the Djoker Slam—in 2015-16. They each won the first three legs of a calendar-year Grand Slam—Williams in 2015, Djokovic in 2021—before falling late at the US Open. Now, along with Steffi Graf, Andre Agassi, and Rafael Nadal, they’re two of the five players who have won a career Golden Slam in singles. (Williams also has one in doubles with her sister Venus, just for kicks.)

The Golden Slam is not an ideal metric for measuring all-time greatness. It only became possible in 1988, and winning gold requires the stars to align in a way that even a dominant player can’t always control. Roger Federer might have one if Juan Martin del Potro hadn’t forced him to win a 19-17 third set in their semifinal in London in 2012; two days later, Andy Murray rolled over Federer for gold. Williams and Djokovic, the consensus GOATs of the Open Era, didn’t complete theirs until they were 30 and 37, respectively.

But winning gold at the Games does show an ability to seize the moment.

In tennis, there’s always another match, another tournament, another major coming down the pike. Not so in the Olympics.

The British sportswriter Simon Barnes has described the Games as being about Now, with a capital N. When you compete in them, you know that tomorrow won’t come for four years, which in the precarious life of a world-class athlete essentially means that there is no tomorrow—it’s now or quite possibly never. That was doubly true for Serena in 2012 and Djokovic in 2024. They had always wanted Olympic gold, and both knew this could be their last chance. But they took it.

The American and the Serb traveled different roads to those medals, and each represents a different type of peak moment in their careers.

Serena, who was entering a late period of post-30 dominance in 2012, lost just eight games in her last four matches, and beat Sharapova, a career Slam winner herself, 6-0, 6-1 in the final. She may never have been more unplayable than she was during that week.

Djokovic, at 37, is closer to the end than Serena was, and had a rockier road to gold. He tweaked a knee injury, and had to scrap to keep from going three sets against Stefanos Tsitsipas. While he cruised past a subpar Nadal in the second round, he had to dig as deeply as he ever has to edge the 21-year-old Alcaraz in two tiebreakers in the final. For Djokovic, this was a career capstone, the final piece in his puzzle, as he said, and the moment when he finally felt like he was “enough.”

Tennis Star Novak Djokovic May Be More Gangnam Style Than PSY | News,  Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors | Bleacher Report

Yet throughout his golden run, Djokovic reminded me of Serena. Specifically, the way she could look as if she was destined to lose a match to a younger and seemingly spryer opponent, only to decide at some point that she was going to win, and then, to your amazement, make it happen by playing the best tennis you think you’ve ever seen from her.

Djokovic did something like that against Tsitsipas. Down 1-4 in the second set to the Greek, he had his knee examined. Then, on more than one occasion, he let Tsitsipas get right up to the edge of winning the set. But Djokovic never looked alarmed, and never let Tsitsipas get over that edge. He saved break points at 1-4, and a set point later. By the time they reached the tiebreak, he was the stronger player again.

The final against Alcaraz felt similar. The Spaniard was favored, he had just beaten Djokovic in straights in the Wimbledon final, he’s 16 years younger, and at 4-4 in the first set he had five break points. Again, Djokovic wouldn’t let his younger opponent get over the edge. Again, once he got his teeth into a tiebreaker, there was nothing Alcaraz, the putative future of the sport, could do about it.

Serena was famous for not winning much for months, then locking in at a Slam and taking him the trophy. Coming to Paris, Djokovic hadn’t won a title in 2024, but he got the one he wanted most.

Oleksandr Usyk has expressed his willingness to face Anthony Joshua for a third time, following his upcoming rematch with Tyson Fury in December.

The Ukrainian boxing star, who sat down with Mail Sport in Poland earlier this month, reflected on his recent victory over Fury and discussed potential future bouts.

Usyk secured a split-decision win over Fury on May 18, with judges scoring the fight 115-112 Usyk, 114-113 Fury, and 114-113 Usyk, making him the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999.

FIGHT HIGHLIGHTS | Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk

Fury, now with a professional record of 34-1-1, will seek redemption in their highly anticipated rematch on December 21. However, Usyk remains confident in his ability to secure another victory over the Gypsy King.

When asked about his plans following the Fury rematch, Usyk revealed to Mail Sport that he would consider a trilogy fight with Anthony Joshua.

He acknowledged the significant role Joshua played in elevating his profile.

“I don’t particularly want any rematches, but when we beat Tyson Fury for the second time and when Anthony Joshua beats Daniel Dubois, of course they will want to do a third fight,” Usyk declared.

“From my point of view, I have no right to deny Anthony a third fight because he gave me two incredible fights.

Anthony helped me become even more famous in the world. Anthony did it. And if it happens with God’s help, then I am ready for a third fight with Anthony.

Usyk vs. Joshua Fights: Career-defining rivalry

The first two encounters between Usyk and Joshua were pivotal moments in both fighters’ careers. The initial bout took place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, where Joshua defended his WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles against the former undisputed cruiserweight champion.

Usyk, who had moved up to heavyweight, was considered a dangerous but manageable opponent for Joshua, who had the advantages of size and power.

Frank Warren tells Anthony Joshua to let Tyson Fury fight Oleksandr Usyk  next | The Independent

From the opening bell, Usyk’s superior footwork, speed, and technical prowess were evident. Utilizing his southpaw stance effectively, Usyk outmaneuvered Joshua throughout the fight, landing clean shots and disrupting the British heavyweight’s rhythm.

As the fight progressed, it became clear that Usyk was in control, ultimately earning a unanimous decision victory and handing Joshua his second career defeat.

The rematch in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, saw a more determined Joshua, who adopted a more aggressive approach, focusing on body shots and trying to close the distance. The fight was more competitive, with Joshua finding success in the middle rounds.

However, Usyk’s adaptability and resilience allowed him to regain control in the later rounds, particularly with a strong finish. The final decision was again in Usyk’s favor, this time by split decision, leaving Joshua unable to reclaim his belts despite a spirited effort.

 

David Avanesyan is only one man who has been in the ring with both Terence Crawford and Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.

Crawford became the undisputed welterweight champion when he defeated Errol Spence Jr in a career defining victory last year

Since then ‘Bud’ has moved up one weight division and created more history by defeating WBA title holder Israil Madrimov to become a four-weight world champion.

Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov: Start time, TV channel, live stream,  full card for super-welterweight title fight | The US Sun

The man filling the void at 147 after both Crawford and Spence moved up is the Philadelphia native, ‘Boots’ Ennis.

The undefeated 27-year-old boasts an impressive record of 29 knockouts from his 32 wins and is seen by many as the biggest threat to Crawford at either welterweight or super-welterweight.

Former WBA regular champion at 147lb Avanesyan fought Ennis in his last outing and previously faced Crawford two years ago. Ennis stopped the Russian in the fifth round, one earlier than Crawford managed.

Speaking to Boxing Scene, Avanesyan’s trainer Carl Greaves believes Ennis to be the busier fighter.

“Boots Ennis is the more busy, more active fighter in my opinion. He’s a bit younger and a bit fresher. On the other hand, Crawford is very, very patient. His timing is very good and he plans just the right attacks at just the right times whereas Ennis was more busy.”

TERENCE CRAWFORD vs ISRAIL MADRIMOV: Is a US invasion next up for the  Excellent Turkey? - YouTube

However, he revealed that his man had told him Crawford was the harder hitter between the two.

“I think that Crawford is a heavier handed fighter.

I was talking to David and he said that Crawford hits harder but that ‘Boots’ Ennis was a bit sharper and busier.”

Crawford’s eleven fight knockout streak was halted by Madrimov last weekend, opening up questions as to whether his power translates to the higher weight class.

 

If you are a die-hard Floyd Mayweather Jr. fan, then he has thrown a perfect jab for you. Amid the training camp for his coming exhibition fight against John Gotti III, the American boxer is taking some time off his tight schedule and has invited fans to a meet-and-greet event. So, where do you need to be and at what time?

Mayweather Jr., 47, is ready to finish what he and Gotti III started inside the squared circle on August 24 at the CDMX Arena in Mexico City. The fight, which ended in melee and chaos, deserved a second edition to settle things.

Floyd Mayweather charging $1,500 for online meet-and-greets amid claims  boxing legend is running out of money – The Sun | The Sun

The fans not only have to live in nostalgia and witness ‘Money’ turn back the clock, but also to see an end to a brewing rivalry. That’s not it. A meet-and-greet event along with a chance to win signed bottles of Good Money Whisky and Le Bon Argent Champagne sweetens the deal.

Mayweather Jr., at 50-0, turned to his Instagram handle and posted the details of the event. The caption read, “Come join me and The Money Team at Costco Wholesale in Lakewood, Ca this weekend. Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to get your bottle of @goodmoneywhisky and @lebonargent Champagne signed.”

The post also mentioned the time of the event, which is scheduled from 2 PM to 4 PM. Mayweather Jr. shared the post to his story also, again stressing the details of the event, which read, “Saturday, August 10th, Lakewood, Ca” and the venue being ‘Costco Wholesale’. This might turn out to be the last such event for a couple of weeks before the Michigan native faces Gotti III in the ring. It seems his opponent is eyeing payback.

Before the referee jumped in and called off the fight, Gotti III was trailing on the scorecards and facing the brunt of Mayweather Jr.’s punches. But he will come prepared this time and has promised to be aggressive in his approach. He told GIVEMESPORTS.COM, “We’re gonna bring the heat this fight.

Floyd Mayweather says he's gonna make a 's--- ton of money' from an initial  coin offering

 

I’m coming for an absolute war, I trained very hard, and the mentality is different. I’m treating it as an absolute war. That first fight I didn’t, it’s my fault. But like I said, the mental part is different for this fight, so we’re gonna be ready.”

It remains to be seen how much Gotti III improved his boxing skills and whether he can withstand the onslaught of Mayweather Jr. Fans won’t have to wait long to witness that. Are you excited about Mayweather Jr.’s invitation to the fans? Who do you believe will win the fight between him and John Gotti III? Let us know in the comments below.

Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has recently voiced doubts about the true extent of Floyd Mayweather’s wealth, despite the retired boxer’s claims of financial supremacy. Known as the most financially successful fighter in boxing history, Mayweather, now 47, retired with a perfect 50-0 record and has since engaged in numerous exhibition bouts.

However, Hearn, in a candid interview, questioned whether Mayweather still possesses the vast sums of money he once flaunted.

Floyd Mayweather Gifts Homeless Men $30K Before Clippers-Mavs Game

Hearn’s skepticism centers around Mayweather’s lavish lifestyle, which includes extravagant spending on luxury cars, private jets, and high-stakes gambling. Despite Mayweather’s assertions that he has made smart investments, including ventures in real estate and gold mines in Dubai, Hearn isn’t convinced. In an interview with GRM Daily, Hearn believes Mayweather’s lifestyle as diminished his net worth.

“I don’t think he’s got the money he says. I don’t think he needs the money, but when you’ve got that lifestyle, when he’s spending what he’s spending, you start to wonder,”

Mayweather, who topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes with a reported $700 million earnings in 2019, has been adamant that his continued participation in exhibition fights is not driven by financial need but by his love for the sport. “I was born to be a fighter, I’m gonna die a fighter,” Mayweather has said, dismissing claims that he’s fighting for money​.

Earlier this year, his former protege, Gervonta Davis claimed that Mayweather was being detained in Dubai over unpaid debts.

Floyd Mayweather And John Gotti III's Boxing Match Ends In Brawl

Floyd Mayweather Set To Rematch John Gotti III

The First Fight Ended In A Brawl

Nonetheless, the ongoing exhibition bouts, including a forthcoming rematch with John Gotti III on August 24 in Mexico, have fueled speculation about Mayweather’s financial situation. The rematch comes after their first fight in June 2023 ended in chaos, with a mass brawl breaking out after the referee stopped the fight due to excessive trash-talking.

Despite these doubts, Mayweather continues to assert that he is not fighting for money, pointing to his investments and business acumen. However, Hearn’s remarks add to the growing debate about whether “Money” Mayweather’s wealth is as secure as it once was, or if his lavish spending has taken a toll on his financial empire. As Mayweather prepares for his eighth exhibition match later this month, the questions surrounding his financial health remain at the forefront of boxing discussions. Despite the speculation, Mayweather continues to flaunt his wealth on social media.

Claressa Shields entered the ring at her heaviest fighting weight and left with the quickest win of her career.

The self-proclaimed GWOAT (Greatest Woman of All Time) won her fourth divisional with a second-round, technical knockout of Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse. Three knockdowns forced a stoppage at 1:09 of round two Saturday at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

With the win, Shields claimed the WBC heavyweight (though technically light heavyweight) and WBO 175-pound titles in the DAZN main event. She is now a four-division champ after a stellar amateur career where she won back-to-back Olympic Gold medals.

Claressa Shields knocks out Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse in 2nd round, winning  4th and 5th titles – Orange County Register

 

“I shocked myself, I’m not gonna lie,” Shields told DAZN’s Al Bernstein.

Shields (15-0, 3 knockouts) hadn’t enjoyed a knockout finish in seven years, almost to the day. Her last one came in her first title win, an Aug. 2017 5th round stoppage of Nikki Adler also in Detroit. Shields won the WBC and IBF super middleweight titles that evening to begin her pound-for-pound run.

Championship wins followed at middleweight, junior middleweight and back to middleweight. Shields fully unified the divisions (twice at 160) but has already run out of challenges at those weights. Evidence of that was in her inactive stretch of nearly 14 months.

With that came the decision to climb further up the scale.

Lepage-Joanisse (7-2, 2 KOs) attempted the first defense of the title she won earlier this year. The 29-year-old Quebec native edged Abril Argentina Vidal (10-2, 4 KOs) via split decision on March 7 in Montreal. It was her fourth straight win following a stoppage defeat to Alejandra Jimenez in their Aug. 2017 WBC heavyweight title fight.

Shields proceeded with caution in the opening round. Primarily a boxer (and a gifted one at that), the intent was to feel out the naturally heavier Lepage-Joanisse and test her own power in a new weight.

The returns were a pleasant surprise.

“I went in there real slow in the first round,” acknowledged Shields, who was a career heaviest 174.8 pounds. “I’m no dummy. Vanessa is a heavyweight and she was punching.

Claressa Shields destroys Vanessa Lepage

“When the hook hit her, I was like damn. I knew I was strong in camp and I was super strong [on Saturday]. Maybe I can stay at heavyweight.”

Lepage-Joanisse was visibly rocked near the end of the first round. Shields kept throwing punches until the bell. Despite the defending titlist remaining on her feet, the confidence was there that the stoppage was on its way.

Shields delivered in a big way.

A clean right hand floored Lepage-Joanisse early in the second round. Referee Ben Rodriguez issued a count while Lepage-Joanisse’s corner appeared ready to stop the fight. Shields was summoned to continue and sent her down twice more before the fight was brought to a halt.

“I guess the ref wanted me to throw one more right hand to put her down,” noted Shields. “The GWOAT stays.”

The question now is whether Shields will stay at this weight.

The fight was billed as a heavyweight title fight, only because of how the

Claressa Shields ("T-Rex") | Boxer Page | Tapology

 

BC brands anything above 168 pounds. Shields believes she can still fight as low as 154 for the right opportunity, or back to 160 where she remains the undisputed champion.

The feeling of not having to cut weight also has her considering a future in her most recently conquered division.

“I’m the cash cow, the girls who got the belts at 168 gotta come up to fight me,” insisted Shields. “It’s just 175. It wouldn’t be that big of a leap.”

Shields is now 12-0 (2 KOs) in title fight spanning four weight division and The Ring’s reigning pound-for-pound queen.

The “GWOAT” also picked up the WBO light heavyweight world title.

If there were any questions about how Claressa Shields would fare at heavyweight Saturday night, she crushed them just as she did Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse.

The “GWOAT” (Greatest Woman of All Time) dropped Lepage-Joanisse three times in the second round toward a sensational second-round TKO to become the new WBC heavyweight world champion at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, and live on DAZN. Shields (15-0, 3 knockouts) also picked up the vacant WBO light heavyweight title in the process.

With the victory, Shields adds the heavyweight and light heavyweight titles to her previously won undisputed crowns at middleweight and junior middleweight, and unified titles at super middleweight, now making her a five-division world champion.

Claressa Shields knocks out Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse in 2nd round, winning  4th and 5th titles | Sports | bozemandailychronicle.com

 

After establishing the jab to start piecing together combinations in the first round, Shields produced a ferocious second round. The fireworks started when Lepage-Joanisse made the costly mistake of rushing Shields against the ropes. Shields responded by ducking and dodging everything Lepage-Joanisse threw at her only to catch the Canadian with a right hand to the temple for the first knockdown.

Lepage-Joanisse would slowly get up off the canvas only for Shields to rush her this time and absolutely sit on an overhand right across the jaw to leave the Canadian in a heap for the second knockdown.

That vicious knockdown prompted Lepage-Joanisse’s trainer to get up on the ring apron in preparation to throw in the towel but Shields saved him the trouble by knocking her down for the third time, forcing the referee to stop the fight.

Following the win, Shields was in awe of her own performance, telling DAZN: “I shocked myself” and “I put her down three times, so hey, the GWOAT stays.”

She added that “maybe I can stay at heavyweight if I’m going to be this strong inside the ring.”

Here’s how the entire main card went.

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