Boxing legend and double undisputed world champion, Claressa Shields, is set to heighten the excitement in the boxing world by challenging the top-ranked middleweight contender, Maricela “La Diva” Cornejo. The pivotal match is the main event, scheduled for Saturday, June 3, emanating from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit and live on DAZN in the U.S. and Canada. Originally, Shields was supposed to face Hanna Gabriels in a rematch, but the fight card was altered due to the findings of a May 2, 2023 VADA test, which was conducted as part of the WBC Clean Boxer Program, prompting Salita Promotions to make the change.

Dubbed as boxing’s Greatest Woman Of All Time (G.W.O.A.T.) and a proud Michigan native, Shields aims to reestablish Detroit as a hub for prime boxing events. She’ll be challenging Cornejo, the number one contender for the WBC, WBO and IBF titles, in the inaugural boxing event at Little Caesars Arena.

Both competitors shared compelling statements regarding their impending showdown on June 3. Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and an undefeated professional boxer (13-0, 2 KOs), avenged her only amateur loss last October, defeating Savannah Marshall in the U.K. and claiming the WBO Middleweight Title via unanimous decision.

WHAT TIME IS SHIELDS VS. CORNEJO?

• Date: Saturday, June 3
• Main card: 9 p.m. EDT / 2 a.m. BST (Sunday)
• Main event ringwalks (approx): TBC
• DAZN holds the rights to broadcast the fight in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand – Watch LIVE on DAZN
• The fight takes place at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
• The main card starts at 9 p.m. EDT / 2 a.m. BST (Sunday). The exact fight times are yet to be confirmed.

Shields’ most recent fight in her home state of Michigan was a triumphant bout against Marie Eve Dicaire in March 2021, earning her the undisputed super welterweight world championship, a second undisputed title to add to her 2019 victory over the undefeated Christina Hammer, which unified all the middleweight titles.

Cornejo (16-5, 6 KOs), a Washington native who now trains in Las Vegas under renowned trainer Ismael Salas, heads into this fight on a three-match winning streak. Her latest victory came in March, when she took down Sheila Cunha in the first round.

The 36-year-old boxer has previously competed for world titles at both middleweight and super middleweight levels, including narrowly-decided losses to undisputed super middleweight champion Franchon Crews Dezurn in 2018 and 2019. Cornejo’s first shot at a world title came early in her career during her sixth professional fight, where she suffered a nail-biting split-decision loss to Kali Reis in April 2016. Tickets for the live event are currently available for purchase at 313Presents.com, Ticketmaster.com, and at the XFINITY Box Office at Little Caesars Arena. The event is organized by Salita Promotions and 313 Presents.

CLARESSA SHIELDS

“I had to switch my mind set up when Maricela Cornejo became the opponent. She’s tall, she’s fresh and she’s fought for the world title before. This chance to fight for undisputed is once in a lifetime for her. I’m excited to face an opponent who I know is ready to go.

“I’ve watched Cornejo on film and seen how she boxes. The thing is, I just feel like I’m a league above these girls, and I’m gonna show it on Saturday night.

“I’m super excited to fight in front of thousands at Little Caesars Arena. I’ve had to keep my head down and train. I might put the makeup and hair and nice clothes on, but I’m not doing anything but focusing on the fight. This is a big moment for Detroit and myself, but the most important thing right now is just winning this fight.

“No matter who is fighting me on Saturday, they’re getting their ass kicked. The same thing that was gonna happen to my previous opponent, is what’s gonna happen to Cornejo.”

MARICELA CORNEJO

“When I got the call, I was just about ending camp for a fight on June 6. It was perfect timing. Everything lined up so well that I couldn’t say no.

“This was the first camp I ever had a strength and conditioning coach. Coach Larry Wade put me in the best possible shape so that I could take advantage of this opportunity.

“I know what kind of fighter Claressa is, but I also know what kind of fighter I am. I have absolutely no doubt in my ability with this new team I have and the strength and confidence that they installed in me.

“This is Mari 2.0. I’m taking it on. If you watch any film that’s out there on me, there’s absolutely nothing that looks anything like this Maricela. I’m excited for the world to see the new me too.”

CLARESSA SHIELDS – MARICELA CORNEJO FIGHT CARD

• Claressa Shields vs. Maricela Cornejo; For Shields’ WBA, WBC, WBF, WBO and IBF women’s middleweight titles
• Ardreal Holmes Jr. vs. Wendy Toussaint; Super welterweight
• Da’Velle Smith vs. Kahydlian Woods; Middleweight
• Joseph Hicks vs. Antonio Todd; For the WBC Americas silver middleweight title
• Marlon Harrington vs. Gheith Mohamed; Super welterweight
• Joshua James Pagan vs. Ronnell Burnett; Super lightweight
• Vernon Webber vs. Fern. Rod. Simoes de Almeida: Cruiserweight
• Sarah Liegmann vs. Carisse Brown; Featherweight