Claressa Shields vs Maricela Cornejo – Results & Post-Fight Report

Claressa Shields defended her undisputed world middleweight titles with a landslide points win against late replacement opponent Maricela Cornejo at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

Shields came into this one off the back of a superb points win against Savannah Marshall last October that saw her add the WBO belt to her collection, while Cornejo was stepping in for Hanna Gabriels, who failed a drug test.

Home favourite Shields (14-0, KO2) began this contest with authority, working off her jab in the opener, and she constantly found a home for her right hand and Cornejo (16-6, KO6) was left with just occasional success, which she paid for in round three as after landing a right hand, Shields blasted back with a rapid combination. The ‘GWOAT’ was in complete control, taunting her opponent in the fourth, and she was splitting the guard of Cornejo as the dominance continued. The challenger would have a moment at the start of rounds, but would then quickly be put in her place, and as the fight winded down to its conclusion, there was only one outcome as the scores were read.

Two scores of 100-90, and a third at 100-89 confirmed the champion’s superiority.

On the undercard, Ardreal Holmes Jr (14-0, KO5) remained unbeaten, as he took a technical decision win against Wendy Toussaint (14-2, KO6). The ten round super welterweight contest was halted after eight, as Toussaint was cut by an accidental head butt. The contest went to the cards, where Holmes Jr took the win by scores of 77-74 and 76-75, while a third judge had Toussaint a 77-74 winner.

Joseph Hicks (7-0, KO5) won every round of eight at middleweight against Antonio Todd (14-8, KO8), and Marlon Harrington (9-1, KO8) stopped Gheith Karim (9-1, KO3) at super welterweight.

Super lightweight prospect Joshua James Pagan (7-0, KO3) halted Ronnell Burnett (9-1, KO5), and featherweight hope Sarah Liegmann (8-0, KO2) took a majority decision win over six against Carisse Brown (7-5, KO4).