IBF female light middleweight champion of the world Marie-Eve Dicaire (17-0) has not bitten the dust in the squared circle. However, the undefeated Canadian boxing ace undoubtedly has the biggest challenge of her career up next, the fight against Claressa Shields.
In the world of female boxing, the name “T-Rex” Claressa Shields (10-0, 2 KOs) is a force to be reckoned with. The two-time Olympic gold medallist, who also signed up for her mixed martial arts career with Professional Fighters League (PFL) in November last year, holds the WBC and WBO female light middleweight titles.
Almost a year and two months since defeating Ivana Habazin for her belts back in January 2020, Shields is returning to the ring on this Friday at the Dort Financial Center, Flint, Michigan, as she squares off against Marie-Eve Dicaire for the vacant WBA (Super) female light middleweight title, along with the belts of both fighters on the line.
Touted as “SuperWomen: Shields v Dicaire” the fight is set to tribute the upcoming International Women’s Day on 8th March.
Marie-Eve Dicaire’s karate background is her “powerful tool”
Dicaire, who has interestingly won all of her 17 professional victories via unanimous decision, is very much aware of the weight her upcoming match carries, and the Canadian is nothing but exuberant.
“I allowed myself to be excited,” Dicaire said in a recent interview, “I know it is a significant fight, but I made sure I’m focused on the task I need to accomplish and not the outcome of the fight.”
The southpaw recalls her background in karate, in which she also won the Canadian Amateur Champion in 2013, to power herself into the fight against Shields.
“My strategy is based on my skills,” the 34-year-old went on, “where she puts her focus is up to her. On my side, I did everything I had to get ready for this fight. And I am!”
“My karate background has always been a powerful tool for me in terms of mindset and work ethic. I was built in martial arts and I think it is what made me the strong athlete that I am now,” added Dicaire. (H/T BoxingScene)
A former WBC-NABF female light middleweight champion, Dicaire won her IBF belt back in December 2018 against Chris Namús. She has had three successful title defenses since then, first against Mikaela Laurén in April 2019, followed by Maria Lindberg in June 2019, and then against Ogleidis Suarez in November 2019, which was also the last time the Canadian was seen donning the gloves.
