Published on June 27, 2024 by Maxim Ouellette-Legault
Lauriermontoise Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse recently won the title of WBC world champion in the women’s heavyweight category. She will defend her title in Detroit by facing the American Claressa Shields at the Little Caesar Arena on July 27.
Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse will face American Claressa Shields on July 27 in Detroit to defend her title. Photo courtesy of Vincent Ethier / Eye of the Tiger
The fight that earned her her title took place at the Casino de Montréal on March 7. It pitted Mont-Laurier boxer Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse against Abril Vidal, a boxer from Argentina. It was broadcast live on the American channel ESPN+, as well as on the ESPNKO channel in Latin America.
According to Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse, the fight lasted 12 rounds. The local boxer mentioned that she was surprised by her opponent’s punching power. “Normally, at the beginning of the first round, we analyze our opponent. Her punching power surprised me, I had prepared to do a hand-to-hand fight. Finally, we noticed that this was not the strategy to adopt with her. I went to box her more from a distance, with explosions of 2 or 3 punches.”
The fight was very close and ended in a split decision, with both boxers making it through all the rounds. “It’s a dream come true. It’s something every boxer dreams of getting their hands on one day,” shared the local boxer.
Honors
On May 28 in the House of Commons, the MP for Laurentides-Labelle, Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, honored Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse. “I am very proud to have been able to honor the triumph of Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse in the House of Commons. My colleagues from the Bloc Québécois, but also from other political parties, were able to meet and celebrate the work and courage of this exceptional athlete. She is an example of will, pugnacity and resilience. »
Then WBC world champion in the women’s heavyweight category, Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse will defend her title in Detroit, in the American state of Michigan. While waiting for her fight against American Claressa Shields, the Canadian boxer says she is preparing for a tough fight. “The boxer Marie-Ève Dicaire fought against her. It’s a big fight ahead. Claressa Shields is a big name in women’s boxing.”
A quick return to the ring
Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse currently resides in Mont-Laurier, but is originally from Saint-André-Avellin, in Outaouais.
While she had already participated in a world championship for the same WBC belt in 2017, the latter made a comeback in March 2023. In less than a year, she climbed the ranks, chaining fights, until winning her current title last March. The boxer has on her record 7 wins and 1 loss.
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