Boxing champion Claressa Shields and Maricela Cornejo have been rivals, friends, and sparring partners. However, Shields has made it clear that their friendship will be put aside during their upcoming lightweight title fight on Saturday. This highly anticipated fight between Shields and Cornejo will be the most significant women’s bout so far this year and is expected to draw a sizable crowd. Dmitriy Salita, Shields’s promoter, is banking on Detroit’s rich boxing heritage to pique people’s interest in the upcoming match. Shields comes into the fight as a highly dominant fighter who has only lost two official fights in her life. She has also won world titles in three different weight classes and is the champion at 154 and 160 pounds. Shields hopes to face the champion between Savannah Marshall and Franchón Crews-Dezurn if she wins on Saturday. Shields’ future plans include an interest in mixed martial arts, and she is keeping a watchful eye on every boxing division. Shields’ original opponent, Hanna Gabriels of Costa Rica, failed a doping test, and she was replaced by Cornejo, who has shown renewed confidence in her abilities, having worked with the renowned trainer Ismael Salas.
