Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse vs. Claressa Shields: Fight Preview, Predictions and Betting Odds

Followers of female professional boxing have a treat in store from the United States this weekend as fans’ favourite Claressa Shields returns to the ring to face Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse. The pair clash in a bout scheduled for ten rounds at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. But which name will emerge victorious and set up a thrilling second half to the year with some huge fixtures on the horizon?

The leading sportsbooks offer generous odds, unique specials, and eye-catching bonuses on Shields vs Lepage-Joanisse, and our boxing writer, Frankie Monkhouse, walks you through the best available. Shields is the red-hot pre-fight favourite who is priced like losing isn’t an option here. Her form and achievements make that stance easy to understand, but experienced boxing fans know we can take nothing for granted at this level.

With three versions of the world title on the line, including the vacant WBO light heavyweight strap, there’s all to play for in Detroit as Claressa aims to extend her perfect record while Vanessa plans to cause one of the biggest upsets in boxing this year, driving her name up the rankings and into the limelight. Keep reading as we preview the contest, highlight the best available betting odds, and offer our expert predictions.

Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse vs. Claressa Shields Odds

The following odds are from bet365. Use our code WSN365 to place your bets at bet365 and claim a bonus: $1,000 Safety Net Bet OR $150 in Bonus Bets.

T-Rex Boasts Experience

Claressa Shields is one of the biggest names in female boxing, and she aims to boost her stock by winning against a respected opponent. Shields will aim to capture the right result and collect win number 15 of her impressive career, but she’ll also want to complete the job in good style, proving she has plenty more in the tank and is ready to continue growing through the ranks of both the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions. There are some mouth-watering bouts available in both divisions.

Shields - known in the fight game as T-Rex due to her ferocious style - has beaten every opponent placed before her since debuting with a four-round points win in Las Vegas back in December 2016. Since getting off on the right foot as a prizefighter, the 29-year-old from Flint, Michigan, has won 14 bouts and collected a long list of glittering prizes, including five versions of the world middleweight title. Is she well-equipped to move up in weight? We’ll certainly find out on Saturday in Detroit.

We last saw T-Rex in action when she scored an impressive win over Maricela Cornejo in Detroit over ten rounds. That was an impressive showing, with Claressa easing to a 100-90 points verdict, but more than a year has passed since that win. She still has time on her side and remains in the prime of her fighting career, but an extended period out of the ring always poses questions about how fit, sharp, and accurate a fighter might be when returning. T-Rex will be determined to show she’s done nothing but improve over the last year.

Bet on Claressa Shields at bet365

Canadian Carries Power

Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse travels from her base in Quebec, Canada, as the current WBC world heavyweight champion. She won the crown by beating Abriel Argentina Vidal in Montreal in March of this year. It was a tight contest against Vidal, which was decided by a split decision with the scorecards reading 97-93, 97-93, 94-96, with two judges giving it to Vanessa while the third scored it for Vidal. Another all-action and competitive contest is expected in the new champion’s return.

Lepage-Joanisse’s career now reads seven wins against one defeat, with two victories scored inside the distance and her one loss suffered by stoppage. The spare on her record was inflicted by Alejandra Jimenez in Mexico eight years ago when challenging for the belt she now owns. Since losing in round three in Cancun, Vanessa has fought four and won four. That purple patch includes back-to-back points wins, and she’d love a third against the biggest name on her CV in Shields.

Vanessa is a naturally bigger and stronger woman than her opponent, and she’ll aim to make those advantages count on fight night. She concedes experience to Shields but has campaigned in the heavyweight division against other high-level opponents. Will that weight advantage give her the edge she needs to hold onto her belt and prove she belongs at the top table of professional boxing?

Bet on Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse at bet365

Back Shields for a Points Win

Lepage-Joanisse arrives as the heavyweight champion in with a middleweight, but she’ll get nothing for free this weekend. Shields has already been involved in some blockbuster bouts, and that experience will be worth its weight in gold come the first bell. Shields has contested 121 professional rounds against the 35 of her opponent and we’re happy that will prove the difference in an otherwise tight contest.

Backing Shields to win at the betting odds currently available won’t make you rich, but there are some interesting specials available in this contest. In the method of victory market, we find Shields to win on point, and that caught our eye. The form shows each of Claressa’s last ten bouts have gone the distance, resulting in a points win and an 11th, which is good enough for us. Back Shields to beat Lepage-Joanisse on the scorecards.

Bet on Claressa Shields at bet365

Shields vs. Lepage-Joanisse Betting Odds

There’s much more to boxing betting than correctly predicting the result. You must do it at the best odds available and we’re here to ensure you get the deal you deserve to ensure you get the maximum enjoyment from this weekend’s clash broadcast live on DAZN and the app. That’s why our content team has researched the market to ensure the best price on your bets. Remember, taking anything less than the top offer is handing another advantage to the traders working at your preferred bookie.

Fancy Shields to win on Saturday? You’ll get her at (-3500) for the victory with bet365, while the same firm offers (+200) for a KO/TKO and our bet on a points win at (-275). Prefer the upset? You can support Lepage-Joanisse at (+1300) to win while the points verdict is (+3300) and the KO (+2500).

How to Watch Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse vs. Claressa Shields

• Location: Little Caesars Arena - Detroit, Michigan

• When: Saturday, July 27

• Time: 9 p.m. ET | 6 p.m. PT

• Streaming: DAZN