Claressa Shields has already made quite a bit of history in her career, winning world titles in three divisions in only 10 fights.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist will be shooting for another achievement when she faces Marie-Eve Dicaire on Friday in Flint, Mich., Shields’ hometown. She is trying to become the first fighter of either gender to hold all four major belts in a second weight class.
Shields (10-0, 2 KOs) and Dicaire (17-0, 0 KOs) on Thursday made weight for their junior middleweight title-unification showdown, Shields weighing 153.6 pounds and Dicaire 152.6. The limit is 154.
“I can’t wait to make history again on May 5,” Shields said. “Fighting in Flint in front of all my fans has been a dream of mine since turning pro. Having the opportunity to make history by fighting for the undisputed title in a second weight division is something I’m very proud of.
“Fighting against undefeated IBF 154-pound champion Marie-Eve Dicaire continues my quest to fight the very best in women’s boxing.”
The #SuperWomen of #ShieldsDicaire have made weight, we have ourselves a FIGHT@Claressashields: 153.6⚖️@EveDicaire: 152.6⚖️
Who will make #HERStory tomorrow?
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Of course, Dicaire, a southpaw from Quebec, Canada, has her own opportunity to become an undisputed champion.
“For me, this is a dream come true,” she said. “I will be prepared the best I can be and I am ready to leave everything in the ring to win the fight.”
Shields won the WBC and WBO 154-pound titles with her unanimous-decision victory over Ivana Habazin on Jan. 10 of last year, her most-recent fight. Dicaire captured the IBF title by outpointing Chris Namus in December 2018, after which she has successfully defended three times.
They will also be fighting for the vacant WBA title, which was recently instituted.
Only seven fighters have held all the major titles in a single division in the four-belt era. They are (in alphabetical order) Cecilia Braekhus, Terence Crawford, Bernard Hopkins, Shields, Jermain Taylor, Katie Taylor and Oleksandr Usyk.
Shields and Dicaire are the first women to headline a pay-per-view show since Laila Ali fought Jacqui Frazier-Lyde in 2001.
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