CARDIFF, WALES (February 4, 2022) – WBC/WBA/IBF Middleweight World Champion Claressa “G.W.O.A.T.” Shields and unbeaten top-rated challenger Ema Kozin hit the scales Friday, weighing-in and facing off for the final time before they square off in the ring this Saturday, February 5 live from Cardiff, Wales in an event available in the U.S. and Canada on pay-per-view.

Shields tipped the scales at 159 pounds, while Kozin weighed in at 159.5 pounds, officially making weight for their championship clash.

The pay-per-view event begins at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT and is headlined by U.K. middleweight stars Chris Eubank Jr. and Liam Williams squaring off in the main event. Shields vs. Kozin will serve as the co-main event of the lineup.

Shields vs. Kozin is the first in a lucrative multi-fight deal secured by Salita Promotions for Shields with promoter Boxxer and broadcaster SKY Sports in the U.K. If Shields emerges victorious over Kozin, she can set up a long awaited showdown against WBO Middleweight World Champion Savannah Marshall. Marshall owns an amateur victory over Shields, the only boxing defeat Shields has ever suffered in the amateur or pro ranks.

HOW TO WATCH THE February 5 – Claressa Shields vs. Ema Kozin PPV

TV: Cable, satellite & telco PPV providers, including Xfinity, ____________Spectrum, Contour, Fios, and Optimum, among others (U.S.), as ____________well as leading operators in Canada.
Streaming: PPV.com and FITE.TV

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ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including SHOWTIME, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action.

(February 3, 2022) – This Saturday, February 5, boxing superstar Claressa “G.W.O.A.T.” Shields will defend her WBC/WBA/IBF Middleweight World Titles against unbeaten top-rated challenger Ema Kozin live from Cardiff, Wales in an event available in the U.S. and Canada on pay-per-view.

See below for information on the full pay-per-view lineup, where fans can purchase the pay-per-view and what’s at stake when boxing’s only two-division undisputed world champion Shields returns to the ring.

FULL LINEUP:

The 10-round Shields vs. Kozin fight will serve as the co-main event of the pay-per-view telecast that begins at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT.

In the main event, U.K. stars Chris Eubank Jr. and Liam Williams will settle their war of words in a 12-round middleweight showdown, with the winner putting themselves in prime position for a 160-pound title shot.

Kicking off the telecast will be “bonus coverage” of unbeaten heavyweight Steve Robinson in a four-round showdown against Shane Gil.

Next will be an eight-round attraction featuring Welsh welterweight Chris Jenkins returning to action against former unified 140-pound champion Julius Indongo.

Directly prior to Shields’ fight, 21-year-old prospect Caroline DuBois will make her pro debut after a stellar amateur career that included a World Youth Olympic Championship and four European Youth Championship titles. The younger sister of popular heavyweight Daniel DuBois, Caroline takes on Lithuania’s Vaida Masiokaite in a six-round lightweight bout.

HOW TO BUY THE PAY-PER-VIEW:

The pay-per-view telecast will be carried in the U.S. and Canada widely throughout all cable, satellite and telco PPV platforms. This includes Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Fios, DIRECTV, Dish, and Optimum, among others (U.S.), as well as leading operators in Canada, including Rogers, Shaw, SaskTel and TELUS.

Fans can also stream the pay-per-view through Fite.TV as well as the recently launched PPV.com service from iNDEMAND. PPV.com is the only PPV streamer to offer interactive fan engagement during live-action sports events and also allows viewers to interact with other fans, post comments, and upload video selfies, in addition to other activities.

WHAT’S AT STAKE IN SHIELDS VS. KOZIN:

Shields vs. Kozin is the first in a lucrative multi-fight deal secured by Salita Promotions for Shields with promoter Boxxer and broadcaster SKY Sports in the U.K.

If Shields can emerge victorious over Kozin, who was recently named by ESPN as one of “next generation of stars in women’s boxing”, she can set up a long awaited showdown against WBO Middleweight World Champion Savannah Marshall. Marshall owns an amateur victory over Shields, the only boxing defeat she has ever suffered in the amateur or pro ranks.

Make sure you tune-in to see Shields’ return to the ring as she looks to move one step closer to a superfight against Marshall later this year.

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ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including SHOWTIME, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action.

LONDON (February 1, 2022) – Boxing superstar Claressa “G.W.O.A.T.” Shields shared details from her training with all-time great Floyd Mayweather as she nears her WBC/WBA/IBF middleweight world championship defense against #1 ranked challenger Ema Kozin taking place Saturday, February 5 live on pay-per-view in the U.S. and Canada.

Shields will step into the ring as the co-main event in her U.K. debut as a professional, returning to the region The four-fight PPV card begins at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT and features star U.K. middleweights Chris Eubank Jr. and Liam Williams meeting in the main event.

Guided by Salita Promotions, Shields signed a lucrative multi-fight deal with promoter Boxxer and broadcaster SKY Sports in the U.K. that has put her on the path toward a super fight showdown with WBO Middleweight Champion Savannah Marshall in 2022.
where she won the first of her two gold medals.

Here is what Shields had to say her experience in Las Vegas training with Floyd Mayweather:

CLARESSA SHIELDS

“The main reason for going to Las Vegas was to get some altitude training. Cardiff has some altitude like Las Vegas, and there’s no altitude in Flint. I wanted to have my lungs feel that burn. I ran at 10,000 feet of elevation.

“The opportunity with Mayweather just kind of presented itself. Floyd heard I was coming and he opened up his gym to me and my team. It was great to see him spar and be in his presence. It was great to talk to him too and really see what he’s like.

“It’s great to hear that he’s a huge fan of me and that him and his kids like to watch my fights. It was a great experience overall.

“Floyd told me I was going in the right direction. Not a lot of U.S. fans get to have the experience of going to see what fans in the U.K. are like. He told me a lot about his experience fighting Ricky Hatton.

“We talked a lot about my skills, but also about the difference between amateurs and pros. In the pros you really have to stay calm and take your time. Even in two minute rounds, he was telling me to slow down and really see those shots coming.

“Floyd’s in great shape. He was sparring a 21-year-old for eight rounds and he wasn’t even always taking breaks between rounds. He can still do whatever he wants to do inside that ring. If he wanted to, he’d give all those guys problems at 147 and 154. From what I saw, his legs and his motor are still working.”

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ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including SHOWTIME, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action.

HOW TO WATCH THE February 5 – Claressa Shields vs. Ema Kozin PPV

TV: Cable, satellite & telco PPV providers, including Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Fios, and Optimum, among others (U.S.), as well as leading operators in Canada.
Streaming: PPV.com and FITE.TV

(January 26, 2022) – Boxing superstar Claressa “G.W.O.A.T.” Shields and #1 ranked challenger Ema Kozin previewed their showdown for Shields’ WBC/WBA/IBF Middleweight World titles during a virtual press conference Wednesday before they step into the ring on Saturday, February 5 from Motorpoint Arena Cardiff in Wales and also available in the U.S. and Canada on pay-per-view.

Shields will be making her U.K. debut as a professional, entering the ring as the co-main event, with star U.K. middleweights Chris Eubank Jr. and Liam Williams meeting in the main event. This is Shields’ first fight in a lucrative multi-fight deal with promoter Boxxer and broadcaster SKY Sports in the U.K., secured for her by Salita Promotions.

Kozin hopes to pull off a landscape-shifting upset in her first crack at the world titles, and in doing so halt Shields’ march towards a super fight showdown with WBO Middleweight Champion Savannah Marshall in 2022. Marshall owns an amateur victory over Shields, the only boxing defeat Shields’ has suffered in the pro or amateur ranks.

The February 5 event will be carried in North America across all PPV platforms, including streaming, cable, satellite and telco. On TV, boxing fans can order the event through Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Fios, and Optimum, among others (U.S.), as well as leading operators in Canada. Complete PPV distribution details can be found below.

Here is what the fighters, along with Salita Promotions President Dmitriy Salita, had to say on Wednesday:

CLARESSA SHIELDS

“I’m looking forward to returning to boxing and showing why I’m one of the top women in the sport. I can’t wait to give everyone a great fight on February 5.

“I’ve never overlooked an opponent and I won’t just because of the Savannah Marshall fight. We’ve always had someone that we’re already working on facing for the next fight. I’ve been in this situation before. I’m focusing on the person who has earned the right to fight me. Kozin is my mandatory, and I respect that this is a huge opportunity for her.

“Training with Floyd Mayweather has pushed my confidence even higher. He’s very fond of my skills and my power and he said he’s going to fly to the U.K. to watch this fight. So I’m definitely looking to put on a great show.

“If I had to use one word for this camp, it would be: uncomfortable. I made sure that I got out of my comfort zone for this fight. I’m making sure that I have all my tools and going to the Mayweather Boxing Club has really sharpened those tools.

“I’m expecting the U.K. fans to be very excited to see me. When I walked out there in London for my gold medal match in 2012, it was an explosive crowd. They have great fans and I’m excited to be back to show off all my improvement since 2012.

“I’m going to bring my world championship experience to this fight. She has more fights as a pro than me, but she has not fought the top tier champions like I have. That’s definitely to my advantage in this fight. She’s going to see my experience in this fight and see that it’s totally different at this level.

“I never lost my love for boxing. That’s my first love and that’s why I’m the greatest at it. MMA is something I do for myself. Being able to even do that, with no amateur experience, just shows that I’m a different kind of athlete.

“I’m hoping to get in the ring with Savannah Marshall next. Women’s boxing is on fire right now and we’re giving the fans the fights they want.

“Fighting on a card of this magnitude will help women’s boxing. Eubank and Williams are known worldwide, so it’s great that some of their fans will become our fans. This is a great opportunity and I’m just going to keep taking it one step at a time.

“I know more about her than she thinks. I’ve followed her whole career. When we get in there, I’m going to make her call me the G.W.O.A.T. in the ring.”

EMA KOZIN

“This is a huge opportunity and I want to make the most of it. I’ve worked hard for the last year and I’ve made a lot of progress as a fighter. I can’t wait to show it all in the ring.

“I’ve heard that the crowds in the U.K. are great and I can’t wait to experience that. I’m sure it will be awesome. They’re going to see a great fight that they’re really going to enjoy.

“I’ve never been as prepared as I am right now. I wouldn’t be stepping in the ring with her if I didn’t believe I was capable of beating her.

“I can’t show all of my cards right now, but I’m highly motivated. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anything this badly. I’m going to use my intelligence, my focus and my preparation to get this victory. I’ve made huge progress in the last year and I feel ready.

“She’s a great fighter of course, but you don’t need high-level fights to gain experience. I have had great training and I have a great team behind me. She doesn’t know me as well as she thinks she does. I can change up my style round-by-round. With the focus that I’ve had for the past year, I can beat anyone in this sport.

I’m going to give my best in this fight. I’m ready for a tough fight through 10 rounds or as long as it takes. I’m anxious to get in the ring and win this fight.”

DMITRIY SALITA, President of Salita Promotions

“Claressa has left no stone unturned in preparation. With all due respect to Kozin, I believe Shields is going to shine on February 5 in the U.K.

“This is a tremendous fight and a great event for Claressa to be making her U.K. debut as a pro. Kozin is a tough challenger and she’s the number one ranked contender for a reason. Ema Kozin has been a big star in Europe and being undefeated, you can’t take her for granted.

“When great fighters are faced with stiff competition, they rise to a new level. You saw that against Christina Hammer, and I believe the same will happen with Kozin. She’s going to send a strong message to Savannah Marshall.”

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ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including SHOWTIME, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action.

HOW TO WATCH THE February 5 – Claressa Shields vs. Ema Kozin PPV

TV: Cable, satellite & telco PPV providers, including Xfinity, ____________Spectrum, Contour, Fios, and Optimum, among others (U.S.), as ____________well as leading operators in Canada.
?
Streaming: PPV.com and FITE.TV

LAS VEGAS (January 25, 2022) – Boxing’s only two-division undisputed world champion, Claressa “G.W.O.A.T.” Shields, held a media workout in Las Vegas on Tuesday as she showed off her skills before her WBC/WBA/IBF middleweight world championship defense against #1 ranked challenger Ema Kozin taking place Saturday, February 5 live on pay-per-view in the U.S. and Canada.

Shields has moved her training camp to Las Vegas as she prepares for the altitude she’ll experience when stepping into the ring at Motorpoint Arena Cardiff in Wales for her U.K. debut as a pro. The four-fight PPV card begins at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT and features star U.K. middleweights Chris Eubank Jr. and Liam Williams meeting in the main event.

Guided by Salita Promotions, Shields signed a lucrative multi-fight deal with promoter Boxxer and broadcaster SKY Sports in the U.K. that has put her on the path toward a super fight showdown with WBO Middleweight Champion Savannah Marshall in 2022.

Shields met with media Tuesday at Mayweather Boxing Club, where she is conducting training in Las Vegas, and discussed adding co-trainer Gerald Tucker to her team and more. Here is what Shields, and her promoter Dmitriy Salita, had to say:

CLARESSA SHIELDS

On adding co-trainer Gerald Tucker to her team, joining longtime coach John David Jackson:

“I just wanted some new eyes in my camp. I’ve always wanted two different coaches with two different styles in my corner. He fits into my team perfectly.

“Gerald works with Floyd Mayweather, so he brings a different kind of boxing conditioning. He does the pads differently than how I’ve ever done them. We’re able to add some things and my coaches are totally in sync.”

On a potential showdown with Savannah Marshall:

“I’ve never focused on Savannah. She’s been focused on me. If you watch her interviews, she’s always talking about Claressa Shields. I’m definitely happy that the fight with her is getting closer. They’re going to see why I’m a 12-time champion. There is just a huge difference in what we can do as fighters.”

On making her U.K. debut as a professional (Shields won the gold medal at the 2012 Olympic games in London):

“I feel like I’m returning to my old stomping grounds. I’m excited to perform and show everyone in the U.K. how I’ve gotten better as a fighter. When they saw me in the Olympics, I was still a teenager.

“I don’t think they’ve seen my style of boxing over there yet. I’m bringing my ferociousness and my swag. I’m going to show them why I’m pound-for-pound. They should all come out and watch this fight, because I’m building all kinds of new strength and power.”

On switching from MMA training camps back to boxing:

“The mental part is the biggest thing for me. I definitely enjoy learning MMA, so when I’m back to boxing, I have to make that switch back to knowing I just have my left and my right hands. My preference is still boxing training though. I’m still getting better and learning more, even with all I’ve accomplished in boxing so far.”

DMITRIY SALITA, President of Salita Promotions

“Claressa is taking this fight very seriously and is leaving no stone unturned in her preparations. From her work in the gym, to adding Gerald Tucker to her already excellent corner, which includes one of the best trainers in the sport in John David Jackson, I really think this is one of the best training camps of her career.

“I look forward to a statement-making performance against the undefeated and very capable Ema Kozin on Saturday, February 5. All of this hard work is being put in en route to the biggest fight in woman’s boxing history against Savannah Marshall.”

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ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including SHOWTIME, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action.

HOW TO WATCH THE February 5 – Claressa Shields vs. Ema Kozin PPV

TV: Cable, satellite & telco PPV providers, including Xfinity, ____________Spectrum, Contour, Fios, and Optimum, among others (U.S.), as ____________well as leading operators in Canada.
?
Streaming: PPV.com and FITE.TV

(January 20, 2022) – Unbeaten contender Ema Kozin has worked her way into position as the mandatory challenger for WBC/WBA/IBF Middleweight World Champion Claressa “G.W.O.A.T.” Shields and she will look to earn a historic win for her native Slovenia when she challenges Shields on Saturday, February 5 from Cardiff, Wales and available live on pay-per-view in the U.S. and Canada.

“This win would be historic for myself and for my country,” said Kozin. “Claressa certainly has a good reputation and is one of the greatest female boxers out there, but I don’t feel any pressure because of who she is. I see it as a huge opportunity and not as some kind of burden.”

The 23-year-old Kozin has worked her way up the rankings earning 10-round unanimous decision victories over former world title challengers Maria Lindberg and Chris Namus. Most recently, Kozin stopped Radana Knezevic in two rounds in May 2021 as she awaited this showdown with Shields.

“I have been preparing specifically for this fight for more than half a year and I’ve made a lot of progress as a fighter,” said Kozin. “I’m feeling ready, excited and eager to show everything I’ve learned in this ring.”

Kozin will be looking to spoil Shields’ U.K. debut as a professional on February 5, which would not only make her a world champion, but would derail Shields’ plan for a lucrative matchup in her next fight against WBO Middleweight Champion Savannah Marshall. The 5-8 southpaw hopes to take advantage of the opportunity to leave her impression on fans watching fight night.

“The boxing fans can expect a good fight,” said Kozin. “I’m going to go in there and make this interesting for everyone watching. I will give everything I have like I always do and show the world how tough a fighter I am.”

As she nears this career-defining bout, Kozin gives credit to her team, led by head trainer and manager Rudolf Pavlin, for giving her every advantage and resource needed to be at her best when she duels Shields.

“I have a great team behind me, from my trainer to my technique coach to my strength coach,” said Kozin. “We have put a lot of emphasis on my regeneration, so I have been going weekly to do the hyperbaric chamber, cryotherapy and bioresonance. It’s important for me to feel good so that I can give 100% when I train. I’ve also been on weight for more than a month now, so I can eat normally and I don’t need to worry about losing weight before the fight.”

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ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including SHOWTIME, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action.

HOW TO WATCH THE February 5 – Claressa Shields vs. Ema Kozin PPV

TV: Cable, satellite & telco PPV providers, including Xfinity, ____________Spectrum, Contour, Fios, and Optimum, among others (U.S.), as ____________well as leading operators in Canada.

Streaming: PPV.com and FITE.TV

DETROIT (January 18, 2022) – Boxing superstar Claressa “G.W.O.A.T.” Shields, boxing’s only two-division undisputed world champion, held a media workout in Detroit on Tuesday as she nears her WBC/WBA/IBF middleweight world championship defense against #1 ranked challenger Ema Kozin taking place Saturday, February 5 live on pay-per-view in the U.S. and Canada.

Shields will be making her U.K. debut as a professional, entering the ring as the co-main event from Motorpoint Arena Cardiff in Wales, with star U.K. middleweights Chris Eubank Jr. and Liam Williams meeting in the main event.

Guided by Salita Promotions, Shields signed a lucrative multi-fight deal with promoter Boxxer and broadcaster SKY Sports in the U.K. that has put her on the path toward a super fight showdown with WBO Middleweight Champion Savannah Marshall in 2022.

The pay-per-view telecast will begin at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT and can be purchased through the recently-launched PPV.com streaming platform from iNDEMAND, FITE.TV and will be carried in North America across all cable, satellite and telco PPV platforms. On TV, boxing fans can order the event through Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Fios, and Optimum, among others (U.S.), as well as leading operators in Canada. Complete PPV distribution details can be found below.

Here is what Shields, and her promoter Dmitriy Salita, had to say on Tuesday from Downtown Boxing Gym in Detroit:

CLARESSA SHIELDS

“The boxing world has forgotten who the best female fighter is since I’ve been doing MMA. The other girls like Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor have been showcasing some great skills, but I’m planning to showcase even better skills in my fight February 5.

“I hope Savannah Marshall shows up at the fight. She can jump up in the ring after I win and talk some stuff. But talking doesn’t win fights, training does. She’s going to see a great performance and I’m going to prove that I haven’t been running from her. We’ve been chasing her.

“When you fight in a different country, you have to do your research on a lot of things and start doing things differently. We’re going to train in Las Vegas for a week so that I can get used to the altitude in Cardiff.

“I’m looking forward to coming back and showcasing my skills. In my last fight, I was coming off over a year layoff and I didn’t perform how I wanted to. When I watch back the film, I wasn’t sharp. I didn’t have the speed and the timing that I normally have.

“I feel like I have to dominate in every fight. Not only am I in her territory, but I have the mentality that everyone wants me to lose. That’s why I go out and smash these girls and make them hold on for dear life.

“This is my first time fighting in another country professionally, but I’ve fought in at least 10 different countries already. I won gold medals in London and in Rio. I’ve been everywhere.

“She’s got a lot of pro experience. I like it. I’ve already dethroned fighters with a lot of experience anyway. I give her credit for working her way up from the bottom to become my mandatory. I’m going to show her that she hasn’t fought anyone like me.”

DMITRIY SALITA, President of Salita Promotions

“It was great to see Claressa and her longtime coach John David Jackson putting in the work and looking sharp at Downtown Boxing Gym in Detroit today. This place is a light for the Detroit boxing community, just like Claressa is. She grew up in nearby Flint, one of the most challenging place in the world and has become one of the best fighters in our sport and is doing things no one has done before.

“This fight on February 5 is leading toward the biggest women’s boxing match of all time between Claressa and Savannah Marshall. It was great to have media support both locally and nationally today and looking forward to a great night on February 5.

“Claressa has fought in sold out venues here in Michigan and now she’s going overseas, but fans in Michigan and throughout the U.S. and Canada will be able to see her on pay-per-view. It’s a perfect opportunity for sports fans to continue to follow Claressa on her journey of greatness.

“Claressa is going to be up against a very tough, skilled and undefeated number one contender in Ema Kozin. She’s young and hungry and she’s going to bring he very best to the table. It’s a very stern test for Claressa before she gets in there with Marshall.”

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ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including SHOWTIME, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action.

HOW TO WATCH THE February 5 – Claressa Shields vs. Ema Kozin PPV

TV: Cable, satellite & telco PPV providers, including Xfinity, ____________Spectrum, Contour, Fios, and Optimum, among others (U.S.), as ____________well as leading operators in Canada.

Streaming: PPV.com and FITE.TV

January 12, 2022 – Boxing superstar Claressa “G.W.O.A.T.” Shields will make her long awaited U.K. debut on Saturday, February 5, kicking off Black History Month by defending her WBC, WBA and IBF middleweight titles against undefeated #1 ranked challenger Ema Kozin live on pay-per-view in the U.S. and Canada.

The four-fight pay-per-view telecast will begin at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT with Shields vs. Kozin serving as the co-main event to the highly-anticipated headliner between middleweight contenders Chris Eubank Jr. and Liam Williams. Guided by Salita Promotions, Shields signed a lucrative multi-fight deal with promoter Boxxer and broadcaster SKY Sports in the U.K. that has put her on the path toward a superfight showdown with WBO Middleweight Champion Savannah Marshall in 2022.

Marshall owns an amateur victory over Shields, the only boxing defeat she has ever suffered in the amateur or pro ranks. Shields must emerge victorious on February 5 to clinch her long-awaited revenge match against Marshall.

“I’m eager to get back in the ring and I can’t wait to return to boxing on February 5 in the U.K.,” said Shields, who is training in her hometown of Flint, Michigan with her coach John David Jackson. “We’ve been pushing through the delays so that I’m 100% ready to display my skills against Ema Kozin. I’m going to give her a beating that’s going to make Savannah Marshall regret agreeing to face me. This is going to be a performance you’re not going to want to miss.”

The 26-year-old Shields defeated the previously unbeaten and then IBF World Super Welterweight Champion Marie-Eve Dicaire in March of last year to make history and become the first boxer in the four-belt era to be an undisputed world champion in two weight classes. Shields has made history throughout her boxing life, as she is also the only fighter in U.S. Olympic boxing history to win two gold medals with wins in London in 2012 and Rio in 2016.

The pay-per-view can be purchased through the recently-launched PPV.com streaming platform from iNDEMAND, FITE.TV and will be carried in North America across all cable, satellite and telco PPV platforms. On TV, boxing fans can order the event through Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Fios, and Optimum, among others (U.S.), as well as leading operators in Canada. Complete PPV distribution details can be found below.

HOW TO WATCH THE February 5 – Claressa Shields vs. Ema Kozin PPV

TV: Cable, satellite & telco PPV providers, including Xfinity, ____________Spectrum, Contour, Fios, and Optimum, among others (U.S.), as ____________well as leading operators in Canada.
Streaming: PPV.com and FITE.TV

ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including SHOWTIME, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

December 10, 2021 – Salita Promotions has added the recently launched PPV.com platform from iNDEMAND to the list of U.S. and Canadian outlets where fans can purchase the world title defense of boxing superstar and first-ever two-division undisputed world champion Claressa “GWOAT” Shields live on pay-per-view, as she takes on undefeated #1 ranked challenger Ema Kozin on Saturday, January 29 in Cardiff, Wales.

PPV.com adds a streaming service to iNDEMAND’s existing cable PPV infrastructure and is the only PPV streamer to offer interactive fan engagement during live-action sports events. PPV.com allows viewers to interact with other fans, post comments, and upload video selfies, in addition to other activities.

“It’s very exciting to be partnered with iNDEMAND as one of the first events featured on their new PPV.com platform,” said Dmitriy Salita, President of Salita Promotions. “It is fitting that one of those first offerings will be a superstar of Claressa Shields’ caliber, as she makes her long-awaited U.K. debut against the talented and highly-motivated Ema Kozin. I know that Claressa is looking to make a statement in this fight and we’re thrilled to be able to deliver her matchup, plus three other exciting bouts, to her fanbase in the U.S. and Canada.”

Mark Boccardi, SVP, Programming & Marketing for iNDEMAND, said, “With the addition of PPV.com to our robust cable PPV distribution infrastructure, we now can provide fight promoters like Salita Promotions a one-stop shop to distribute their programming across all PPV platforms, whether on TV or online. We’re also proud to offer consumers a streaming PPV service that’s easy to find, easy to use, and provides interactive features that fans won’t get on any other PPV service during live-action sports.”

The January 29 event will be carried in North America across all PPV platforms, including streaming, cable, satellite and telco. On TV, boxing fans can order the event through Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Fios, and Optimum, among others (U.S.), as well as leading operators in Canada. Complete PPV distribution details can be found below.

Shields will defend her WBC, WBA and IBF titles against the WBC’s #1 ranked challenger, the undefeated Slovenian Kozin (21-0-1, 11 KOs), in the co-main event of the card which also features U.K. stars Chris Eubank Jr. and Liam Williams in the highly-anticipated middleweight main event. Additional bouts on the pay-per-view telecast will be announced shortly. The bout was originally scheduled for December 11, but was rescheduled after an injury to Williams.

Shields vs. Kozin is the first in a lucrative multi-fight deal Salita Promotions secured for Claressa with broadcaster SKY Sports in the U.K, and a bout that can set up a highly-anticipated showdown with Savannah Marshall in 2022. Marshall owns an amateur victory over Shields, the only boxing defeat she has ever suffered in the amateur or pro ranks. Shields must emerge victorious on January 29 to clinch her long-awaited revenge match against Marshall.

HOW TO WATCH THE January 29 – Claressa Shields vs. Ema Kozin PPV

TV: Cable, satellite & telco PPV providers, including Xfinity, ____________Spectrum, Contour, Fios, and Optimum, among others (U.S.), as ____________well as leading operators in Canada.
Streaming: PPV.com and FITE.TV

ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including SHOWTIME, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action.

(November 22, 2021) – Salita Promotions has officially signed a deal with FITE.TV and iNDemand to distribute the upcoming world title defense of boxing superstar and first-ever two-division undisputed world champion Claressa “GWOAT” Shields live on pay-per-view to U.S. audiences, as she takes on undefeated #1 ranked challenger Ema Kozin on Saturday, December 11 in Cardiff, Wales.

The four-fight pay-per-view telecast will begin at 2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. PT. The Shields vs. Kozin PPV event will be carried in North America across all PPV platforms, including streaming, cable, satellite and telco. Complete PPV distribution details can be found below.

Shields will defend her WBC, WBA and IBF titles against the WBC’s #1 ranked challenger, the undefeated Slovenian Kozin (21-0-1, 11 KOs), in the co-main event of the card which also features U.K. stars Chris Eubank Jr. and Liam Williams in a highly-anticipated middleweight showdown. Additional bouts on the pay-per-view telecast will be announced shortly.

“I am very excited that this fantastic fight card with Claressa Shields will be available for fans in the United States,” said Dmitriy Salita, President of Salita Promotions. “Claressa is making her U.K. debut defending her world titles against the undefeated, very skilled and determined Ema Kozin. Claressa is training hard and is looking to make a big statement for fans in the U.K., and those watching in the U.S. This deal with FITE.TV and iNDemand continues to highlight our dedication to giving Claressa a platform to again demonstrate that she is a once-in-a-generation athlete.”

Shields vs. Kozin is the first in a lucrative multi-fight deal Salita Promotions secured for Claressa with broadcaster SKY Sports in the U.K, and a bout that can set up a highly-anticipated showdown with Savannah Marshall early next year. Marshall owns an amateur victory over Shields, the only boxing defeat she has ever suffered in the amateur or pro ranks. Shields must emerge victorious on December 11 to clinch her long-awaited revenge match against Marshall for next year.

“I’m excited to return to the boxing ring against the undefeated #1 contender and show the world once again that I am the GWOAT”, said two-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist and two-division undisputed world champion Shields. “It’s been a dream of mine to fight in the U.K., and it brings me one step closer to shutting Savannah Marshall’s mouth once and for all. I will be sensational on December 11.”

The 26-year-old Shields from Flint, Michigan, defeated the previously unbeaten and then IBF World Super Welterweight Champion Marie-Eve Dicaire in March to make history and become the first boxer in the four-belt era to be an undisputed world champion in two weight classes. Shields has made history throughout her boxing life, as she is also the only fighter in U.S. Olympic boxing history to win two gold medals with wins in London in 2012 and Rio in 2016.

HOW TO WATCH THE December 11 – Claressa Shields vs. Ema Kozin PPV

TV: Cable, satellite & telco PPV providers, including Xfinity, ____________Spectrum, Contour, Fios, and Optimum (U.S.), among others, as ____________well as leading operators in Canada.

Streaming: FITE.TV

ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including SHOWTIME, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action.

HOLLYWOOD, FL–In the main event, Olympic Gold medalist Kayla Harrison (2-1-0 this season) fought Taylor Guardado (3-0-0) for her second $1,000,000 purse and PFL Lightweight Championship at The Seminole Hard Rock Casino Harrison showed superior strength and ground control for the first two rounds and secured an arm bar at the four minute mark to earn the victory.

Cooper III KOs Magomedkerimov for PFL Welterweight Title

Magomed Magomedkerimov (career record 28-5-0, 2-0-0 with PFL) was a -275 favorite to take the Welterweight World Championship. His opponent, Ray Cooper lll (22-8-1 career, 2-1-0 with PFL this season) didn’t seem to notice. After taking a low kick in the first round, Cooper came back to control the action throughout round two.

The tables momentarily turned in round three and Magomedkerimov landed several vicious knees. Cooper answered with a right hand of his own, then found an opening for the knockout with another right hand at 3:02 of round three.

Montes Decisions Shields at PFL

In a three-round, non-title contest, Mexico’s Abagail Montes (2-0) gave 2-time Olympic gold medalist and multi-division world champion boxer  Claressa Shields (1-0) a tough time by controlling distance, scoring takedowns, and initiating a vicious ground and pound. The fight went the distance with one judge scoring  29-28 for Shields, and the other two scoring 29-28 for the winner Abagail Montes.

Bruno Cappelozza (13-5, 3-0 this season) and Ante Delija (career 19-4-0) (2-1-0 this season in PFL)battled for the Heavyweight Championship in an exciting and violent contest that went the distance. Superior striking and ground and pound earned Bruno Cappelozza the decision on all cards. 48-46, 49-45 x 2.

Movlid Khaybulaev (3-0 this season with PFL) of Dagestan, Russia, undefeated in his professional MMA career with 18 wins and no losses faced Long Island’s Chris Wade (20-6 career , 3-0 this season with PFL) for the PFL Featherweight Championship.

 Round one opened with fireworks as Khaybulaev scored three big right hands to the head of Wade before a brief lull in grappling range. Then the fight began. With 30 seconds left in the first round Khabulaev looked like he could secure a rear naked choke but the bell disagreed.

Wade came out charging in round two with some high kicks as the crowd chanted “USA, USA!” Khaybulaev continued to score with heavy shots to the head, and ended the round with advantage in the grappling range.

Rounds three and four saw a lot of grappling with the advantage still leaning towards Khaybulaev.

Wade attempted a flying knee in the opening seconds of round five but Khaybulaev deflected the blow and took control of the action once again. The round ended on the ground and the fight went to the judges. PFL’s innovative fight stat display showed  eight takedowns for Khaybulaev, who was way ahead ion strikes as well, and none for Wade.

All judges scored the contest 50-45 for Khaybulaev.

Antonio Carlos Jr. (3-0) submitted Marthin Hamlet (2-2) for the PFL Light Heavyweight championship via Rear Naked Choke submission at 3:49 of round 1

Here are quotes from today’s press conference . . .

ABIGAIL MONTES

I have been training really hard for this. Claressa in the world of boxing is who she is and there is no denying that and I am not going to sit here and say otherwise. But this is the world of MMA and this is something I have been training a long time for and have been really preparing myself for this opportunity. Every single weapon in my arsenal I am going to utilize in order to go after her as best that I can.

Every single trainer I have had are the best at what they do. I am using every effort to train and adapt all of their teachings so that I have the confidence to use everything that I have learned to really put it into action and this actions will speak for themselves. I can’t thank my trainers enough for all of the knowledge they have passed on. That’s why I am confident and I am ready.

I don’t know what will happen in the cage but I feel that I am prepared for anything.

I saw that Claressa made a lot of mistakes in her first MMA fight using Jiu Jitsu. While I can’t get overconfident, those mistakes that she made may happen again, so I just have to be ready for anything that she is ready to throw at me. Just because she is from the world of boxing and not Jiu Jitsu, I can’t bank on her making the same mistakes.

CLARESSA SHIELDS

In my last fight, she had a background in kickboxing and she also had amateur background in boxing and I thought we were very evenly matched. This fight, I am not taking her lightly.

I am 1-0 in MMA. I’m not 12-0. She has experience. She has a kickboxing background. I watched her fight and she takes girls down. She’s a ground and pound girl. She throws kicks. She throws punches and combinations and stuff. I have to be very alert for this fight. It is a different kind of fight. I am going for a very competitive fight and she is going to know she was in a fight. I need to not get messed up by her, and mess her up. We are very evenly matched. I’m not taking her lightly and I don’t think she is taking me lightly.

With the girls I train with, it is very exciting working with them (Holly Holme, Cyborg). I can say, ‘oh I should have done this or I should have done that.’ Instead of watching them and being confused. I’ve been learning on the job and getting better and better. I am being taught arm bars and being taught how to get out of them. I am doing really great at wrestling and learning how to get out of clinches and stuff like that. That stuff used to be confusing now I feel good at it.

I felt a part of MMA when I made my debut, now I feel a lot more because I know better. I am looking forward to showing the world that I am putting a lot of work in and I am better at Jiu Jitsu and better at wrestling and betting better at being a mixed martial artist overall. I’m just happy that I have a chance to do better. My team and I went back and watched the film and we have a great game plan.

Well, if I was 30 I wouldn’t be trying MMA. I am 26 so I have a lot of time to learn and I don’t have to rush myself. Next year I can fight in the PFL tourney at 27 and then 28. I think 2023 is the golden year – I will get the chance to get a lot of experience inside the cage and become a great fighter.

I let the right hand go in boxing just like I do in MMA. I just have to widen my stance a little bit to throw kicks. It’s a little different but fighting is fighting. In order to get a powerful punch you need to twist the boxing and you’ve got to have legs. Others I train with that came from boxing we have to remind ourselves ‘he we still have to use our hands.’

When I spar with MMA people, they have it up on e with their legs but I have an up on them with my hands. I have great sparring and we all challenge each other and learn from each other. Before my first MMA fight I would forget that I have legs. I was so used to defending myself with my hands in a fight and now I have to use my legs and sometimes I feel like my legs aren’t there and my partners are like ‘OMG, us too.’

MMA is hard, but boxing is hard also. People think boxers strike harder because MMA fighters can use the ground game but the truth is it’s all kind of equal. Boxers only use their hands and it’s great. But nobody wants to see people own the ground – they want to see punches. You need punches in both. You need punches in MMA and you need punches in boxing. The ground game is hard but if you’re being taught right, you will be good at it.

I was great at boxing and made a great career out of it. If I become PFL champion that will be great and I can be champion at both at the same time. I don’t think you can do combat sorts if you just like it – you have to LOVE fighting and if you don’t, you’re not going to last long.

I’m not thinking about Savannah Marshall. Savannah Marshall is thinking about me. After this, I have a boxing match in about a month. She also has a fight. When those are taken care of, then maybe we can talk about fighting each other.

It takes about a month for me to prepare for a fight. We can look at some tape of my opponent then get ready. My next fight is at 160 and this fight is at 155 so I don’t have to worry about weight. We will look at the girl, game plan and go from there.

I hear people say that Amanda Nunez and Cyborg have better hand than me but I know that I have the best hands. I think Cyborg could go to boxing but I don’t think the other girls could go to boxing and become champion.

Bare knuckles? I feel like the rules in boxing, the gloves, are put in place for fighters’ safety and head trauma would become a bigger issue.

I have proven myself over and over and over again and I never fought PPV on Showtime. I fought in a main event and I sold out arenas, but they won’t pay us even as men. We put on great fights that are entertaining – they see us as valuable but not as valuable as the men. Hopefully they will open their eyes.

Jake Paul? Please. I don’t know what world people live in that think a person that has no boxing background, a man who has not fought professionally, look, there are a lot of women in boxing that can beat up men, especially an average Joe like Jake Paul. If I was to spar Jake, which is all I would get because a real fight would be too embarrassing, right? But if we were to spar, I would use one hand – not even the banger – I’d use my (left) jab and I could out jab and hook and uppercut him and embarrass him. That’s how skilled I am. It’s not a shot at Jake, but he’s not as good a boxer as me. If you are, go to the Olympics and medal. I’ve sparred against those guys too – Olympic Gold Medallists, Silver Medallists – I’ve sparred against all of them. Those guys would destroy Jake just like I would. I box for real – not play stuff – I box for real.

About Professional Fighters League
Professional Fighters League (PFL) is the first and only to present MMA in the sports-season format where individual fighters compete in Regular Season, Playoffs, and Championship. PFL is the innovation leader with the PFL SmartCage delivering viewers on-screen fight analytics and real-time prop bets. The 2021 PFL Season began with 60 fighters in six weight divisions. The Playoffs commence with 24 fighters competing for 12 spots in the Championship event and one of six $1 million title purses. All PFL 2021 Playoff events are live in primetime on ESPN/ESPN2/ESPN+ in the U.S., as well as on leading broadcast and streaming outlets in 160 countries worldwide.

For more info visit www.PFLmma.com and follow PFL on Instagram (@PFLmma), Twitter (@PFLMMA), and Facebook (/PFLmma).

“Don’t disrespect me,” was Claressa Shields response when asked if she would ever fight on a Jake Paul undercard. Citing her accomplishments in the world of boxing, her two Olympic Gold Medals, undisputed championships in several weight classes, why should she? Claressa Shields knows her worth, and has her eyes set on the $1,000,000 purse in a future PFL World Title Fight.

Shields, who won her pro debut for the organization on June 10th, believes that with three years practice she can become the PFL Champion as well.

 Her second fight can be seen on ESPN2 on Wednesday, October 27th. The card will also feature the current women’s lightweight champion Kayla Harrison who will defending her belt against Taylor Guardado, as well as five other title matchups, each carrying a $1,000,000 purse for the winner.

The event will be held at Seminole Hard Rock Casino and Hotel in Hollywood, FL.

Salita Promotions congratulates fighting superstar Claressa Shields for having the street she grew up on in Flint, Michigan, honorarily dedicated in her name by City of Flint Mayor Sheldon Neely. Last Sunday, Shields, 26, was presented the accolade, which turned Spencer Street into Claressa Shields Street, at her Joy Tabernacle Church, where Shields was a guest speaker.

Mayor Neely says he’s overjoyed to be able to bestow the honor on the city’s fighting legend and says the next steps are to determine if it will be a ceremonial name change or an official name change. Ceremonial would mean adding Shield’s name to the existing name and official would mean the removal of the existing street name and replacing it with Shield’s name.

“Claressa continues to make us all proud while exemplifying what it means to be a true champion,” said Mayor Neely. “She has accomplished so much, remains connected to this community and we just want to honor her. This street dedication is well-deserved.”

Shields (11-0, 2 KOs), a two-time Olympic gold medal winner, three-division professional boxing champion, the first fighter, male or female, to unify championships in two divisions and the fastest boxer in history to win titles in three different weight divisions, says this award is especially touching for her.

“I could not be happier today y’all!” said Shields on Twitter. “I had a great time at church! So thankful to everyone who came out to worship with me today! I was surprised by the Mayor of Flint! The street I grew up on Spencer street is being named after me ‘Claressa Shields Street.’ My grandma would be so PROUD!!!! I delivered a great message today! I feel so special!!! I’m overjoyed.”

“This is a well-deserved honor for a woman and fighter who has done a lot to help and support her home city,” said Shields’ promoter, Dmitriy Salita of Salita Promotions. “She never stops working toward success in her career or as a public figure with an inspiring message. Salita Promotions is proud to represent her.”

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About Salita Promotions

Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action.

CAST YOUR VOTE FOR CLARESSA SHIELDS AS 2021 BEST BOXER HERE.

Salita Promotions wishes to congratulate women’s pound-for-pound #1 boxer and three-division world champion Claressa Shields for being nominated for a 2021 ESPY Award for Best Boxer.

Presented by Capital One and the ESPN network, the ESPY’s allow fans to choose the yearly winners by way of online voting.

Aside from making her successful MMA fighting debut in June, Shields (11-0-0, 2 KOs) made history last March by dethroning Canada’s Marie-Eve Dicaire and becoming the first boxer in the four-belt era, male or female, to be an undisputed champion in two divisions. She also retained her WBC and WBO junior middleweight titles with the victory and claimed Dicaire’s IBF belt, as well as the vacant WBA Championship.

Shields is in strong company with the other nominees, including unified super middleweight champ Canelo Alvarez, unified lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez and WBC Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury.

CAST YOUR VOTE FOR THE GWOAT HERE AND TUNE IN TO THE ESPYS ON JULY 10 AT 8 P.M. ET ON ABC.

“Claressa is a once-in-a-generation athlete who is taking women’s combat sports and her fight for equality, inside and outside the ring, to new heights every time she steps into the ring,” said her promoter, Dmitriy Salita. “She is an example to young athletes and especially young female athletes that with hard work you can reach your dreams. 2021 is another history-making year for Claressa with no end in sight to what she can accomplish.”

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About Salita Promotions
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – June 10, 2021 – The second half of the Professional Fighters League (PFL) Regular Season got off to an action-packed start on Thursday night, with five fighters punching their tickets to the 2021 PFL Playoffs and two-time Olympic boxing gold medalist Claressa Shields victorious in an impressive PFL MMA debut. 

In the final bout of the nine-fight event, Shields defeated Brittney Elkin via TKO with a vicious ground and pound attack. Shields held off Elkin’s ground attacks in the first two rounds before closing the show in round three.

In the co-main event, “Cassius” Clay Collard earned three points and a trip to the PFL playoffs with a split decision victory over Joilton Lutterbach. In a close fight, Bubba Jenkins won a unanimous decision over Bobby Moffett, to pick up a fifth straight victory and secure his place in PFL playoffs. Brendan Loughnane clinched a spot in the PFL playoffs with a hard fought majority decision over Tyler Diamond.

Loik Radzhabov set a PFL lightweight record for the fastest stoppage in division history with a 27-second first round knockout over Akhmed Aliev to earn six points. With Olivier Aubin-Mercier’s unanimous decision win over Marcin Held later in the night, Radzhabov clinched a spot in the 2021 playoffs. 

In the first fight of the night, Chris Wade defeated Arman Ospanov by second round knockout – the first of his career – to earn five points and clinch his third straight PFL playoff appearance.

“What a thrilling event to kick off the second half of the PFL Regular Season, with five fighters clinching spots in the 2021 Playoffs and Claressa Shields putting an exclamation point on her MMA debut with a powerful knockout,” said Peter Murray, PFL CEO. “Tonight showcased intensity that only the Professional Fighters League can deliver with our unique true-season format, where every athlete faced a win-or-go-home scenario. I know that our two remaining Regular Season events will be spectacles delivering non-stop excitement, and I can’t wait to see our playoff field be rounded out.” 

“PFL 4 continued the momentum from the first half of the Regular Season as our lightweights and featherweights delivered an outstanding event for the more than 550 million MMA fans across the globe,” said Ray Sefo, President of Fighter Operations of the PFL. “Our fighters demonstrated the mental and physical skills required to earn a spot in the PFL playoffs, and I can’t wait to see the Regular Season finales for our welterweights and light heavyweights next week.”

In earlier action, two-time PFL lightweight champion Natan Schulte bounced back from his first loss in four years to win a split decision over the previously undefeated Alexander Martinez. The result pushed Schulte’s Regular Season point total to three, and he remains in contention to make the PFL playoffs. Sheymon Moraes remains in playoff contention following a second round submission over Jesse Stirn. 

The remaining playoff spots in the lightweight and featherweight divisions will be determined following the culmination of PFL 6 on Thursday, June 24. 

The PFL returns to Ocean Casino Resort next Thursday, June 17 as the league’s welterweights and light heavyweights make their final push for the 2021 PFL playoffs. After a dominating performance in his PFL debut, Rory MacDonald looks to continue his momentum and solidify a spot in the PFL playoffs. Meanwhile, 2019 PFL Light Heavyweight champion Emiliano Sordi currently sits in 4th place as he looks to separate himself from the pack and secure another world title.

All PFL 2021 Season events are live in primetime on ESPN networks and streaming platforms, as well as on a wide and diverse group of premier global distribution partner platforms reaching 160 countries around the world.

COMPLETE RESULTS

ESPN Card

Claressa Shields def. Brittney Elkin by 3rd round TKO (1:44)

Clay Collard def. Joilton Lutterbach by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Bubba Jenkins def. Bobby Moffett by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Brendan Loughnane def. Tyler Diamond by majority decision (29-27, 28-28, 30-27)

ESPN+ Card

Natan Schulte def. Alexander Martinez by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 28-29)

Olivier Aubin-Mercier def. Marcin Held by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Loik Radzhabov def. Akhmed Aliev by 1st round KO (0:27)

Sheymon Moraes def. Jesse Stirn by 2nd round submission (4:59)

Chris Wade def. Arman Ospanov by 2nd round KO (2:18) 

Claressa Shields, a new four-part, all-access series, premiering exclusively on ESPN+ in June, will give fans a behind-the-scenes look at Shields’ quest to become the greatest two-sport athlete of all time, simultaneously maintaining her dominance in boxing while making her debut in mixed martial arts. A two-time boxing Olympic Gold Medalist and the first professional boxer – male or female – to win undisputed world titles in two separate weight divisions in the four-belt era, Shields has now set her sights on an MMA championship as part of her ambitious goal to be recognized as the undisputed, greatest woman in combat sports.

From Shields’ humble beginnings as a young girl who discovered boxing in a tough Flint, Michigan neighborhood, to winning Olympic Gold in London and Rio, to establishing herself as the No. 1 pound-for-pound female boxing champion, Claressa Shields tells her unique and inspiring story as she continues to rise.

The first episode of the series, premiering Thursday, June 3, captures Shields as she prepares to make her MMA debut with the Professional Fighters League in a lightweight bout versus Brittney Elkin at PFL 4 on Thursday, June 10, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. PFL 4 will be live on ESPN+ at 6 p.m. ET and on ESPN2 at 10 p.m. ET.

Since announcing her decision to pursue an MMA title, Shields has been training at the famed Jackson Wink MMA Academy, where former UFC champions Holly Holm and Jon Jones (the UFC’s No. 1 ranked pound-for-pound fighter) train with Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn.

“Claressa has accomplished so much as an athlete already and her life story is both authentic and compelling,” said Brian Lockhart, senior vice president, original content and ESPN Films. “We know she’s just getting started, and this new series is a chance for all of us to join Claressa on her journey and to see up close what drives the ambition of a world champion who is reaching for all-time greatness.”

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 13.8 million subscribers.

Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $5.99 a month (or $59.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu for $13.99/month (Hulu w/ads) or $19.99/month (Hulu w/o ads).

Salita Promotions proudly announces that women’s boxing superstar, unified world champion and Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields has signed a long-term promotional-contract extension with the company.

Salita, who has been with Shields since early in her historic journey, will continue to help guide the professional boxing side of Shields’ legendary career.

In March, the 26-year-old Shields (11-0, 2 KOs) furthered her claim as boxing’s “GWOAT” and became the unified WBC, WBO, IBF & WBA Super Junior Middleweight World Champion, by scoring a dominant, one-sided 10-round unanimous decision over Marie-Eve Dicaire of St-Eustache, Quebec, Canada.

With several high-profile fights on the horizon, Shields is confident that sticking with her long-time promoter is the right move.

“This is an important time for me, as I begin my two-sport journey,” said Shields. “Dmitriy has been with me for the majority of my career and his support of me and women’s boxing is unwavering. I appreciate what Dmitriy, and his company Salita Promotions, have done for me. I’m happy to extend our relationship moving forward in boxing as I take on MMA at the same time. Boxing history will continue to be made.”

Mark Taffet, President of Mark Taffet Media and Shields’ manager, has worked closely with Salita during Shields’ groundbreaking career and helped her bring women’s boxing to new heights and new platforms while gaining tremendous exposure for the sport.

“No one has supported Claressa’s efforts and goals more than Dmitriy and Salita Promotions,” said Taffet. “He is one of the leading advocates of women’s boxing in the world. We are proud to work with him and have him on our team as Claressa Shields continues to make history and blaze new trails for women’s boxing and women’s combat sports.”

Salita, whose still relatively new promotional company has quickly risen to a spot among the next generation of promotional powerhouses in boxing, says extending Shields’ agreement was an easy decision.

“I am delighted to extend my relationship with Claressa Shields,” said Salita. “She is a once-in-a-generation athlete who is breaking records and stereotypes every time she steps in the ring. I look forward to many more HERStoric accomplishments together.”

The trio say that Shields’ next move in boxing will be announced shortly.

About Salita Promotions
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YouTube Channel for regular video updates of boxing’s greatest legends, its best fighters, toughest contenders and brightest prospects in action.

NEW YORK (April 14, 2021) – The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest growing and most innovative sports league, today announced the world’s best female boxer and two-time Olympic gold medalist, Claressa Shields, will make her PFL MMA debut against Brittney Elkin on June 10. The match will be aired live and in primetime on ESPN 2 and ESPN 3 (Spanish) in the U.S. and on leading broadcast and streaming outlets in more than 160 countries worldwide.
 
The 26-year-old has been training with some of the sport’s biggest stars ahead of her debut in Atlantic City. Since announcing her decision to join PFL last December, Shields has been prepping at Jackson Wink MMA Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico alongside former world champions Jon Jones and Holly Holm. The three-division boxing champion is set to enter the 2022 PFL season.
 
“I am very excited to cement my legacy as the Greatest Woman of All Time,” said Shields. “I cannot wait to step into the PFL cage for the first time on June 10 and show the world that I never back down from a challenge. I have shown I am the best boxer in the world and eventually I intend to do the same thing as a mixed martial artist.”
 
Elkin has a career record of 3-6-0 and the brown belt jiu-jitsu athlete has experience competing across Bellator, Sparta Combat League and Fight 2 Win. Her first and only matchup with the PFL came in June 2018 when she battled future PFL champion Kayla Harrison, losing via submission in Round 1.
 
“I’m very grateful to be back in the PFL and to have this opportunity to square off with Claressa Shields,” Elkin said. “I know she is a great boxer but this is MMA and I plan to show everyone that I am a well-rounded fighter who can compete wherever the fight takes me.”
 
“We’re thrilled to announce the highly anticipated PFL debut of the world’s consensus top female pound-for-pound boxer, Claressa Shields,” said PFL President of Fighter Operations, Ray Sefo. “We’ve seen the videos of her training inside the cage and can’t wait to see the showdown between her and Brittney Elkin on June 10.” 
 
The rest of the June 10 card will be announced in the coming weeks.  
 
Professional Fighters League has quickly established itself as the No. 2 MMA company in the world. The league has experienced tremendous YoY growth across digital channels – 68% follower increase on Instagram, 30% total audience growth across digital and a 200% social engagement spike.
 
With the addition of world-class talent – from elite fighters to established business executives – and partnering with industry-leading brands such as Anheuser-Busch InBev, GEICO, CarParts.com and Socios, the PFL continues to accelerate its global expansion. Sports fans across more than 160 countries around world will be able to tune in to the league’s highly anticipated return on April 23 in Atlantic City, NJ. 
 
About Professional Fighters League
Professional Fighters League (PFL) is the first and only to present MMA in the sports-season format where individual fighters compete in Regular Season, Playoffs, and Championship. PFL is the innovation leader with the PFL SmartCage delivering viewers on-screen fight analytics and real-time prop bets. PFL Roster is second to none with 25% of its fighters ranked in the top 25 in their weight-class. All PFL 2021 Season events are live primetime on ESPN2/ESPN+ in the U.S. and available on leading broadcast and streaming outlets in 160 countries worldwide. 
 
For more info visit www.PFLmma.com and follow PFL on Instagram (@PFLmma), Twitter (@PFLMMA) and Facebook (/PFLmma).

MONTREAL (March 31, 2021) – Popular Canadian boxer Marie-Eve Dicaire learned an invaluable albeit disappointing lesson in her decision-loss to now-undisputed world super welterweight champion Claressa Shields (11-0, 2 KOs) on the March 3rd “SUPERWOMEN” pay-per-view event.

Dicaire (17-1) suffered her first loss as a professional and in boxing that often leads in one direction or the opposite: learning from the overall experience and improving as a boxer or continue fighting as just a former world champion chasing opportunity.
Two weeks after the Shields fight, Marie-Eve was right back in training, rather than wallowing in her first loss and feeling sorry for herself.

“Clearly,” Dicaire said, “I learned a lot. I went right back to the gym with a precise plan to take my boxing to another level. I’ve realized many things, some good and some bad, but it will definitely help become a more complete fighter.

“After two weeks off, I had more than enough. Also, during the last year we experimented with a new way to work. I go to the gym for intense training for a few weeks, then take a few days off to rest. This method has brought me to another level, so we decided to work this way for my upcoming camp, because I felt great in the ring. I’m an overachiever. I can’t rest when I know I lost. I needed to get the work done to enjoy true vacations. I know I will be in the ring again soon.”

Losses ultimately lead to changes but Dicaire’s goal of becoming undisputed world champion remains the same. What’s changing, though, is her style, at least to some degree, especially considering she has zero knockouts during her pro career.

“I was born ready, so the sooner, the better,” Dicaire spoke about winning another world title. “I want to become a unified, undisputed world champion and this is why I am already back to work. We’re working on improving some of my weaknesses that weren’t a priority before. I’ll be working on improving my power and inside fighting during this training camp.”

Dicaire also learned that her support system has grown, remarkably, even after the initial setback on her otherwise undefeated record.

“I thought I was going to deal with the loss alone with my family and close friends,” Dicaire concluded, “but it’s been the exact opposite. I have never experienced so much support from fans during my entire career. It is like everybody is aware I have everything it takes to become champion of the world again and they’re with me during this new journey.”

INFORMATION:
Website: www.groupevonmichel.ca
Facebook: /groupeyvonmichel
Twitter: @YvonMichelGYM, @EveDicaire
Instagram: @groupeyvonmichel, @MarieEveDicaire

GroupeYM

ABOUT THE YVON MICHEL GROUP (GYM): Groupe Yvon Michel is a professional boxing promotion organization, founded in 2004 by Yvon Michel, Alexandra Croft and Bernard Barré, all still active within the company, which is the most prolific organization in the history of professional boxing in Canada. Since its founding GYM has organized 155 events in Quebec, participated in 36 international galas outside of Quebec. Six boxers became world champions, Joachim Alcine, Jean Pascal, Adonis Stevenson, Artur Beterbiev, Eleider Alvarez and Marie-Eve Dicaire. Sixteen of the organization’s boxers have fought 48 world championship bouts with an excellent record of 24 wins, 22 losses and 2 draws. During this period major American television networks were more active than ever in coming to Quebec to broadcast GYM’s most important events. On 34 occasions major American networks presented a GYM event, an exceptional showcase of Quebec knowledge including HBO (8), Showtime (7), ESPN2 (10), Wealth TV (4), Spike TV (2), ESPN (1), CBS (1) and NBC Sports (1).

Chicago, IL (March 17, 2021) – Fresh off her second consecutive victory over future Hall of Famer, Cecilia Braekhus, undisputed welterweight champion, Jessica McCaskill is looking to fight the biggest names on the female circuit.

McCaskill of Chicago, easily outpointed the legendary Braekhus by scores of 100-89, 99-90 and 98-91 to win her fifth consecutive and raise her record to 10-2.

“I felt my aggression was really good, just keeping the pressure non-stop, and we are ready for what is next. She was running in, and crowded herself, and I figured if she was going to run in, I would have to get at least one or two shots off, and she kept doing it, so I kept doing it as well. I wanted to move and show some more angles, but she kept coming straight in, so she was right there,” said McCaskill.

“A fight with Katie Taylor might be the next thing on the agenda. If that is what it is, that would be great. If that does not work out, then there are a couple of other names out there. As for Claressa Shields, McCaskill thinks a fight with her can happen, “That could be a possibility if Claressa could come down to 147 pounds. At first, she said that she would not give up any weight, and now she is saying she would, so we are just going to have to see if they are going to take this seriously.”

Said McCaskill’s promoter, Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing, “Jessica proved yet again that she is one of the top fighters in the world. She has now dominated the fighter that has been the long-time pound for top boxer. We would love to fight anyone, and a fight with Katie Taylor would most certainly have a different outcome then their first fight. Fights with Taylor or Claressa would be historic fights as it would match two of the reigning undisputed champions against each other.”

(Monday, March 8, 2021) Though final numbers are still coming in, the sometimes beleaguered sport of women’s boxing has reason for optimism today, International Women’s Day, as the historic “SUPERWOMEN: SHIELDS VS. DICAIRE” all-female pay-per-view event last Friday night (March 5), featuring two-time Olympic gold medalist and boxing superstar Claressa Shields, has already surpassed all projected sales expectations.

Held at the Dort Financial Center in Shields’ hometown of Flint, Michigan, and broadcast live globally, SUPERWOMEN: SHIELDS VS. DICAIRE saw Shields cap off a night of entertaining female fights by cementing herself in sports history as the first boxer in the four-belt era to be crowned an undisputed world champion in two separate weight divisions. By virtue of her shutout 10-round victory over previous IBF Champion Dicaire, Shields now also reigns supreme as the unified WBC, WBO, IBF and WBA Super Junior Middleweight World Champion.

The night’s two primary organizers, Shields promoter, Dmitriy Salita, President of Salita Promotions and Mark Taffet, President of Mark Taffet Media LLC and Manager of Shields, say they hope the reassuring sales numbers are a sign of changing times for women’s sports that will help encourage other promoters to buy into the possibility of more female-centric boxing events in the future.

“On the weekend of International Women’s Day, Claressa Shields accomplished another first for any man or woman in the long history of boxing. That coupled with her two Olympic Gold Medals and status as a three-division world champion, prove Claressa is a real-life Superwoman! From a young girl growing up in Flint to a woman winning her second undisputed world championship with the whole world watching, Claressa has showed what is possible for female athletes and for women’s boxing. I am honored to be involved in her Herstoric career and I want to wish women around the world a happy and meaningful International Women’s Day.”

“I am proud to be associated with women’s rights trailblazer Claressa Shields,” added Taffet. “Just 25 years young and already accomplishing, in the Olympics and in the professional boxing ranks, what no man has ever done. Claressa continually uses her platform and broad shoulders to stand tall for all women and demand equality across the board. On this International Women’s Day, I am thankful that Claressa Shields is championing the cause and continuing to make measurable and demonstrable progress in her advocacy of women’s boxing. Today and every day, men and women everywhere should stand beside Claressa as she transcends boxing and makes true societal change.”

SUPERWOMEN: SHIELDS VS. DICAIRE was presented by Salita Promotions in association with Groupe Yvon Michel, dedicated to this year’s International Women’s Day and proudly sponsored by online gambling titans Betonline.net and plant-based online marketplace Vejii.

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About International Women’s Day
The first National Women’s Day was observed in the United States on February 28, 1909. In 1910, Europe established a Women’s Day to honour the movement for women’s rights and to build support for achieving universal suffrage for women. After World War II, March 8 started to be celebrated in a number of countries. In 1975, during the International Women’s Year, the United Nations began celebrating March 8 as International Women’s Day. In 1995 the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a historic roadmap signed by 189 governments, focused on 12 critical areas of concern; and the inclusion of Goal 5: “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls” in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This year’s theme of #ChooseToChallenge looks to call out gender bias and inequity and celebrate women’s achievements.

For more information, please visit internationalwomensday.com.

About Salita Promotions
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YouTube Channel for regular video updates of boxing’s greatest legends, its best fighters, toughest contenders and brightest prospects in action.

(Friday, March 5, 2021 – Flint, MI) Women’s superstar Claressa Shields furthered her claim as boxing’s “GWOAT” Friday night and became the unified WBC, WBO, IBF & WBA Super Junior Middleweight World Champion, by scoring a one-sided 10-round unanimous decision over Marie-Eve Dicaire of St-Eustache, Quebec, Canada, in the 10-round main event of the historic all-women’s “SUPERWOMEN: SHIELDS VS. DICAIRE event at the Dort Financial Center and live on pay-per-view in Shields’ hometown of Flint, Michigan.

Shields (11-0, 2 KOs) also became the first boxer in the four-belt era to become an undisputed world champion in two weight divisions by virtue of her shutout victory (100-90 by all three judges) over now former champion Dicaire (17-1).

Uncharacteristically, the 25-year-old Shields turned counterpuncher early in this fight, to offset Dicaire’s attempts to bounce in and out of range. Relying on her reflexes to punish any attempt at aggression by Dicaire, Shields shut the Canadian down and then turned back to her customary forward aggression later in the bout.

Dicaire landed a quality southpaw left on Shields in round four, possibly her only significant blow of the fight, and Shields simply shook it off to no effect.

I can’t be mad about my performance,” said Shields after the bout. “She just kept elbowing and headbutting me. I tried for the knockout and I almost had it a couple times, but we’ve got two minutes and the ref not breaking it up when she’s holding me and elbowing me. I’m happy but I still wanted the knockout. I just didn’t have enough time. At the end of the day, I am the new undisputed champ at 154 and the first boxer to be undisputed champ twice.”

Shields said she was happy to have accomplished her latest piece of history in front of her family and friends in Flint, even if the pandemic meant a lot fewer fans in attendance.

“With Covid, we couldn’t have a full capacity. There are 300 here and that’s the capacity of the day, so we have a full house. We couldn’t have full capacity, but I know if we could have, we would have had 6000 people in here. I’m happy to have been able to do it here (in Flint). I started boxing here at Berston Fieldhouse at 11 years old. Never in a million years did I think I’d be on pay-per-view and fighting for an undisputed title and be one of the biggest stars in boxing. I just wanted to win an Olympic Gold medal. God has given me two Olympic medals. I have 12 championship belts now. It doesn’t feel real to say undisputed twice.”

When asked about two of her remaining rivals in boxing, fellow superstar Katie Taylor of Ireland and her one-time conqueror in the amateurs, Savannah Marshall of the UK, Shields brimmed with confidence.

“Katie Taylor is not the worry. 147 pounds is. They’d have to pay me a lot to lose my butt and go down to 147. At the end of the day, I’m a woman. I don’t have big breasts, but I got a nice butt, so come with that dough and I’ll be there. At least a million and I’ll be there.

“Savannah Marshall can’t f* with me. Let’s keep it real. Savannah Marshall, you won a lucky decision when we were kids. Also London was hosting the Olympics. If you want to gloat about beating me 14 points to 8… come on now. And then I went on to become world champion in three different division and she broke. She knows she cannot and will not ever be able to f* with me. She can come to America. I will go to the UK. We can go to Mexico. We can go anywhere, and I will f*** her up. She knows that. She’s scared of me. Savannah Marshall can get it. Tell Eddie Hearn, he came that whack-ass 250K. Tell him to come with 500K… 750K if he wants me to go to the UK and smoke his girl. Pay me.”

Dicaire continued her graciousness in post-fight questioning and promised not to let the loss dampen her future in the sport.

“I think Claressa did a good job tonight,” said Dicaire. “Tonight, she was the best. Sometimes you win and sometimes you learn. Tonight, I learned. I think this is just going to allow me to grow stronger. I don’t box to protect my record or keep my record at 0 losses. I box to beat champions. Tonight, I had the chance to fight the real champion. She won this time but count on me to go back to the gym and work hard and be world champion again for sure.

Shields, who says her much-publicized MMA debut will likely be in Las Vegas in June, threw 409 punches in the fight and landed 128 including 34.9% of her power punches. Dicaire threw 263 punches in return but landed just 31.

“Flint Michigan got the baddest boxer in the world!” said Shields to her fans. “We two-time undisputed. Pacquiao who? Canelo who? When someone else does what I did let me know.”

In the night’s co-main event, Houston’s undefeated Danielle Perkins (3-0, 1 KO) showed marked improvement and had a much easier time in her rematch against Georgia’s Monika “Lay Em Down” Harrison (2-2, 1 KO), scoring a dominant eight-round unanimous decision while picking up the WBC Silver Heavyweight Championship in the process.

The former amateur world champion Perkins used every bit of her superior athleticism, 6’ height and 72-inch reach to move around the ring and keep the 5’ 10” Harrison at bay with a punishing southpaw right jab and a steady diet of strong left hands to the head and body. At times, Referee Michael Griffin appeared to be considering a stoppage, but the durable Harrison kept coming forward and swinging for the fences for all eight rounds, despite the firepower coming her way.

The scores were 80-72 from all three judges.

“I apologize for not getting a knockout. I swear next time I’ll come back and give it to you, Flint,” said Perkins, post-fight. “Monika made some adjustments this time. I hit her with some solid hammers and that girl stayed on her feet so kudos to her.”

Perkins threw 353 punches in the fight and landed 121 including 40.9% of her power shots. Harrison threw 273 shots, but only found a home for 21 of them.

“I want to be the undisputed female heavyweight champion of the world,” continued Perkins. “I want to be the best you’ve ever seen.”

Undefeated bantamweight Jamie “The Miracle” Mitchell (6-0-2, 43 KOs) of Pacific Grove, California, looked impressive in battering and stopping more-experienced veteran Noemi “La Rebelde / No-No” Bosques (12-16-3, 2 KOs) in five one-sided rounds.

With the two-fisted punishment from Mitchell steadily increasing with every passing round, Referee Gerard White decided the stumbling and retreating Bosques had had enough and mercifully waved the fight off at 1:49 of the fifth.

“I was just zoned out. I was doing whatever fit the moment,” said Mitchell, post-fight. “That’s how I got the knockout. Thanks to my coaches and thanks to Claressa Shields for putting me on this card. This is an unforgettable moment for women.”

Prior to scoring the technical knockout, Mitchell landed 48% (80/167) of her power punches, and 40% (94/234) of her total punches. Noemi Bosques only landed 24 of 153 punches.

“I like to pick on myself to do better,” said Mitchell of her performance. “There were certain things I wanted to do, but they don’t call this girl a gatekeeper for nothing. I wish I had gotten her out of there quicker and been crisper with my jab. She was a bit tricky.”

In the opening bout of the broadcast, 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Marlen Esparza (9-1, 1 KO) stayed busy ahead of her scheduled challenge of WBC Flyweight Champion Ibeth Zamora in April with a dominant six-round unanimous decision over Canada’s Shelly Barnett (now 4-4-2, 2 KO).

Barnett tried to be aggressive, but Esparza’s skills allowed her to pot shot her bigger opponent, nearly at will, especially as the fight wore on. “We knew she was tough and bigger,” said Esparza. “I wanted someone with more weight because I never fight above 112 lbs. and I think I handled it well. I’m happy about the way everything played out. I’m happy to have been part of this event and to be working with Claressa again.”

Esparza threw 352 punches in the fight, landing 126, including 26 body shots and 38.4% of her power shots. Barnett threw 291 and landed 49. The judges’ scores were 60-54, 6-53 x 2.

On the free pre-show portion of the pay-per-view, middleweight Timur Kerefov stayed undefeated (11-0, 6 KOs) with a TKO 3 over Saint Petersburg, Florida veteran Manny Woods (now 16-11-1, 6 KOs). Woods left eye couldn’t hold up under the onslaught of punches from the Russian former amateur star. The time was 1:06. Kerefov, Detroit via Shalushka, Russia and now training at Kronk Gym, threw 190 punches in the abbreviated encounter, landing 80, including 24 body shots. Woods threw 122 and landed just 17.

SUPERWOMEN: SHIELDS VS. DICAIRE was presented by Salita Promotions in association with Groupe Yvon Michel, dedicated to this year’s International Women’s Day (Monday, March 8, 2021) and proudly sponsored by online gambling titans Betonline.net and plant-based online marketplace Vejii.

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About International Women’s Day
The first National Women’s Day was observed in the United States on February 28, 1909. In 1910, Europe established a Women’s Day to honour the movement for women’s rights and to build support for achieving universal suffrage for women. After World War II, March 8 started to be celebrated in a number of countries. In 1975, during the International Women’s Year, the United Nations began celebrating March 8 as International Women’s Day. In 1995 the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a historic roadmap signed by 189 governments, focused on 12 critical areas of concern; and the inclusion of Goal 5: “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls” in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This year’s theme of #ChooseToChallenge looks to call out gender bias and inequity and celebrate women’s achievements.

For more information, please visit internationalwomensday.com.

About Salita Promotions
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YouTube Channel for regular video updates of boxing’s greatest legends, its best fighters, toughest contenders and brightest prospects in action.

Unified WBC, WBO, IBF & WBA SUPER Junior Middleweight World Championships
Claressa Shields 153.6 lbs. vs. Marie-Eve Dicaire 152.6 lbs.

WBC Silver Heavyweight Championship
Danielle Perkins 196.8 Lbs. vs. Monika Harrison 202.8 lbs.

Jamie Mitchell 120 lbs. vs. Noemi Bosques 119.6 lbs.
Marlen Esparza 117.4 lbs. vs. Shelly Barnett 119 lbs.
Timur Kerefov 163 lbs. vs. Manny Woods 163.2 lbs.
Robert Simms 238 lbs. vs. Aaron Quintana 206.4 lbs.

Date: Friday, March 5, 2021
Venue: Dort Financial Center, Flint, Michigan

FIGHT NIGHT PRE-SHOW SPECIAL & FREE FIGHT (KEREFOV VS. WOODS)
(8:00 PM EST | 7:00 PM CST | 5:00 PM PST)
Livestreamed on FITE, Vive Network and Salita Promotions’ YouTube Channel

SUPERWOMEN: SHIELDS VS. DICAIRE BROADCAST BEGINS (USD $29.95)
(9:00 PM EST | 8:00 PM CST | 6:00 PM PST)
InDemand Pay-Per-View (cable, satellite, and telco providers including Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, DirecTV/U-Verse, Dish, Fios, and Optimum)
Livestream: VIVE Network, and FITE.TV

FINAL QUOTES

Claressa Shields
The hard part is done. I had a great camp. I feel great. I was able to eat and drink all day yesterday and I’m ready to get in there and show what I could have been showing these whole 13 months.

I really prepared for this fight. I know my body looks a little different than it did before, but that just shows all the work I’ve been putting in.

This is what women need. I had to wait 13 months on the side, while other men were given a chance to fight on large platforms. If I would have kept waiting, who knows how long I would have been waiting. I love the fact that I took a risk. I bet on me and my manger and my promoter and now we’re here.

I think this I great for women’s boxing. We’ll have some numbers to work off of and build off of. I’m just happy I’m the person to be able to do it.

I hope that all my fans and all my hater all tune in to watch me be great tomorrow and help move women’s sports one more step to being equal.

Mare-Eve Dicaire
I feel great. I feel ready. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime to represent my country. This is the first time in history that someone is going to fight for all four belts and for sure I will fight with all my pride.

I think everything I learned in my career and in my lifetime is going to be tested in the ring. This kind of fight will pad the way for women’s boxing. This is how we’re going to get popularity and get women’s boxing on the map.

I’m really thrilled to be part of this event and proud to be the headliner in the first all-female pay-per-view in US history.

It was a crazy year, a year of deception and everybody was living it with me. I was going to the grocery store and people were asking when are you going to fight shields? I’m here with all the support of my country and finally it’s here. That’s why I’m smiling.

SUPERWOMEN: SHIELDS VS. DICAIRE is dedicated to this year’s International Women’s Day (Monday, March 8, 2021) and presented by Salita Promotions in association with Groupe Yvon Michel.

FLINT (Wednesday, March 3, 2021) – The final press conference was held today for Friday’s (March 5, 2021) “SUPERWOMEN: SHIELDS VS. DICAIRE” pay-per-view boxing event, featuring the 10-round 154-pound unification showdown between undefeated three-division and current WBC/WBO Super Welterweight World champion Claressa Shields and also unbeaten IBF Super Welterweight World Champion Marie-Eve Dicaire from the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Mich.

The historic all-women’s boxing event will be livestreamed at 9pm EST | 8pm CST | 6pm PST on FITE.TV and VIVE NETWORK and distributed by InDemand through their existing cable, satellite, and telco providers for just $29.95.

Shields and Dicaire were joined on the press conference stage by event and Shields promoter, Dmitriy Salita, and Dicaire’s promoter Yvon Michel. Here is what they all had to say:

Claressa Shields
I want to thank all my fans who bought the pay-per-view. This a huge moment for me an Marie-Eve Dicaire. I’ve never been off boxing for 13 months ad I’ve never wanted to get back in the ring so much. Training is ok and sparring is cool, but I don’t have the same intensity that I have when it comes to the fight and the belts are on the line and I’m fighting against a whole other country.

To be honest, some of my hardest fights in the amateurs came from girls that were from Canada, even though I was very victorious in those fights. 77-1 in the amateurs. Canada has a strong background in boxing. I’m excited to be in the ring with someone like Marie-Eve Dicaire, who I feel wants to win as much a me and can accept how big this moment is.

Everybody is in for a good fight and this is just a great moment.

Thank you to all my friends and fans who reached out to me. I don’t box for a hobby. It’s not a hobby. It’s my career and I feel like people underestimate me when I speak about how great I am. But if I didn’t say how great I am, no one in this room would have ever called me great because they just don’t recognize it. Only the greats know that they’re great.

Like Muhammad Ali. Nobody called him the greatest of all time. They actually called him the ‘Louisville Lip’ because he talked too much. If he had never said he was the greatest of all time, he would have never been considered the greatest of all time. No matter what boxer comes along, nobody can get in front of Muhammad Ali. That’s how I feel about myself.

Muhammad Ali is the greatest of all time and Claressa Shields is second. I am the greatest woman of all time and 98% of men in the world can’t beat me.

I want you to know I’m not taking prisoners. This is a new era for me. My name from now on is Claressa “The Wolf” Shields. T-Rex has long gone. T-Rex was aggressive, but the greatest of all time has so much more. She possesses poise, power and punch placement.

I saw in an interview she said she’s not worried about the outcome, she’s worried about the task. Well, I’m worried about the outcome. I’ve known what the task is for the last 13 months. I’m concerned about the outcome because I don’t like losing. When I lost my first fight when I was 17, I didn’t sleep again until I was 21 when I won my second Olympics. That’s how personally I take this fight. I’m hoping she can bring out a different side of me because a lot of girls haven’t been able to take me to level three. I’m hoping she can take me to level 10.

Marie-Eve Dicaire
Honestly, I don’t know with the context we are in right now with the world, if it’s a good thing to be contagious, but I’ll take it as a compliment.

I’m happy and thrilled to here. Like Dmitriy and Yvon said before, it’s been a hell of a year, a year of postponement and disappointment but now it’s finally on. I’m here and I’m enjoying every moment of this adventure. When I became a world champion, I was like is that it? Is there something more? This is when I started focusing on being an undisputed champion.

Facing Claressa Shields is, for me, the opportunity of a lifetime. I worked all my life to get here. My work, my sweat and my blood got me here, so for sure I’m going to be 100% in the ring. I’m looking forward to Friday.

Dmitriy Salita
We specifically, scheduled this event for March 5, on the weekend of international women’s day, so that the best female fight of the year happens at an appropriate time that highlights the work of incredible women around the world.

This fight won’t only be broadcast in the United States. It’ll also be seen in China, Argentina, Panama, Canada, in Africa, Poland, Russia, The Philippines, and several other countries.

This event has been a year in the making. Literally a year ago, we were first supposed to have a press conference to announce this fight and then the pandemic came. The initial date of May 9 was cancelled. Shortly thereafter, we tried to reschedule the fight several times to no fruition. Then in December we decided the best way to do this fight was to do it ourselves on pay-per-view.

Marie-Eve Dicaire could have said no and not taken this fight, but she is a real world champion.

Claressa Shields vs. Marie-Eve Dicaire is truly one of the biggest fights of the year.
Claressa is not only known as ‘The GWOAT’ because she’s the only two-time medalist from the United States. She’s not only known as ‘The GWOAT’ because she’s a multi-time amateur champion, multi-time amateur world champion, multi-time professional world champion, or because she’s the fastest man or woman in the sport to become a three-division champion. She is the GWOAT because she uses her talent of boxing as a tool to grapple with social issues of significance. Claressa understands that her talent is God’s gift, and she is using it in every way possible to push forward important issues in our culture like equality, women’s empowerment and to take the sports world to new level. That’s what March 5 is about.

If Marie is contagious, I want to remind you that they just announced a one-shot vaccine, and her name is Claressa Shields.

Yvon Michel
I can’t believe how thrilled we are to be here today. Thank you to everyone involved.

Thank you to Dmitriy Salita and Mark Taffet. It has been very difficult we know. You had to have a lot of determination to put on this historic event and we have a lot of respect and admiration for you.

We have a lot of respect and admiration for Claressa Shields also, she did everything she had to do to have this event to be a special one for women. One day the women’s fights will be equal to any men’s fight because the quality of the athletes is nothing to be ashamed of compared to men.

I want to apologize for my strong French accent, but I can’t deny my roots and I’m proud of it. I think Claressa probably misunderstood me the other day when I spoke about Roy Jones Jr. I didn’t mean to compared Marie-Eve to Roy Jones’ skill or athleticism or what she has done. My comparison was about her commitment; her dedication and her desire to get better at everything.

You will find about Marie-Eve Dicaire… I was trying to find the words to describe Marie-Eve and I know she’s quick and dedicated and strong. But the best word I found… and forgive me… but she’s contagious. She beautifies everything she touches. She has enthusiasm for everybody who works with her. She can convince the most skeptical to her cause. And in the ring, she can persuade. She always convinces her opponents that she’s the best of the group. Be careful, Claressa, when she touches you in the ring. She’s very contagious.

The night’s co-main event will feature undefeated former amateur world champion Danielle Perkins (2-0, 1 KO) of Houston, Texas, fighting an eight-round rematch to her exciting non-stop slugfest with Waycross, Georgia’s Monika “Lay Em Down” Harrison (2-1, 1 KO) for the WBC Silver Heavyweight Championship.

Also appearing on the broadcast will be women’s star, former amateur world champion and 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Marlen Esparza (8-1, 1 KO) of Houston returning to action against Canadian veteran Shelly Barnett (3-1-2, 2 KO) in a six-round bantamweight special attraction, and in the broadcast opener, undefeated bantamweight Jamie “The Miracle” Mitchell (5-0-2, 3 KO) of Pacific Grove, California, will look to continue her climb up the 118-pound rankings against tough Florida-based veteran Noemi “La Rebelde / No-No” Bosques (12-15-3, 2 KO) over six rounds.

SUPERWOMEN: SHIELDS VS. DICAIRE is dedicated to this year’s International Women’s Day (Monday, March 8, 2021) and presented by Salita Promotions in association with Groupe Yvon Michel.

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About International Women’s Day
The first National Women’s Day was observed in the United States on February 28, 1909. In 1910, Europe established a Women’s Day to honour the movement for women’s rights and to build support for achieving universal suffrage for women. After World War II, March 8 started to be celebrated in a number of countries. In 1975, during the International Women’s Year, the United Nations began celebrating March 8 as International Women’s Day. In 1995 the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a historic roadmap signed by 189 governments, focused on 12 critical areas of concern; and the inclusion of Goal 5: “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls” in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This year’s theme of #ChooseToChallenge looks to call out gender bias and inequity and celebrate women’s achievements.

For more information, please visit internationalwomensday.com.

About FITE.TV
FITE.TV is the premiere digital network for direct-to-consumer digital live streaming for combat sports, specializing in professional wrestling, mixed martial arts and boxing events. To millions of fans around the world, FITE.TV streams a rich array of live pay-per-view events, subscription packages and thousands of hours of live and on-demand free programs with a mission to help fans discover and watch premium live events. FITE.TV is the leading digital distributor for the industry’s marquee events, including AEW, Impact, WWE, KSI-Logan Paul 2 from Matchroom, Canelo vs GGG 1 & 2 from GBP / HBO, Pacquiao-Thurman from PBC / Fox, Top Rank / ESPN PPV, ROH, BKFC, NWA, GCW, ONE, Combate, RIZIN, MOTO FITE Klub and FMX FITE Klub, Rumble on the Rooftop, Major Concerts, Tennis, Basketball, Soccer events and more.

About VIVE Network
VIVE Network is a 4K HDR multi-channel, linear OTT TV network and live event platform as a service for third-party content creators available globally on every screen in every format. As a pioneer of the TV Revolution and UHD Initiative, VIVE Network’s mission is to facilitate the creation, proliferation, and monetization of UHD HDR entertainment to address the domain of the multi-millions of viewers around the globe, and in doing so, establishing the network as the ultimate UHD entertainment destination.

About Salita Promotions
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YouTube Channel for regular video updates of boxing’s greatest legends, its best fighters, toughest contenders and brightest prospects in action.

MONTREAL (March 1, 2021) – Unbeaten underdog Marie-Eve Dicaire, the reigning IBF female super welterweight World champion, has fully prepared physically and mentally for this Friday night’s undisputed showdown against undefeated WBC and WBO title holder and self-proclaimed WGOAT
Claressa Shields (10-2, 2 KOs).

A tribute to International Women’s Day, “SUPERWOMEN: SHIELDS VS. DICAIRE” will be broadcast live in USA on InDemand Pay Per View and streamed live on FITE.TV, and in Canada On Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV and streamed live on FITE.TV and YOOP. starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, from Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan. (To pre-order on FITE.TV go to www.fitetv/watch/shields-vs-decaire/2p8qn/).

Dicaire (17-0), a popular French-Canadian boxer, understands and fully appreciates the significance of “SUPERWOMEN”, and what an upset victory would do for her building brand, particularly outside her native Canada.

“I allowed myself to be excited,” Dicaire explained. “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. My strategy is based on my skills. 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!

“I’ve always said that boxing is a passion, and I am happy to make a living out of it,” she said. But, to me, it is more than that. It is a way to inspire people, to change society’s mentality. I want to achieve greatness to inspire people to dream big and this is what this fight is all about to me.”

Last year, 2-time Olympic boxing gold medalist Shields, who will be fighting Dicaire at home in Flint, Michigan, signed a multi-year deal with mixed-martial-arts promoter PFL. Her transition to MMA will reportedly happen this year.

Dicaire, ironically, was a world amateur champion in karate before transitioning to boxing, in which she has defeated five world champions.

“My karate background has always been a powerful tool for me in terms of mindset and work ethic,” Dicaire commented. “I was built in martial arts and I think it is what made me the strong athlete that I am now.”

This Friday night Shields vs. Dicarie will determine the No. 1 woman in the super welterweight division, if not in all of boxing.

(Monday, March 1, 2021 – Flint, MI) The complete televised lineup for this week’s historic all-female “SUPERWOMEN: SHIELDS VS. DICAIRE” boxing event on Friday, March 5 from the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Mich., has now been revealed with the addition of two more exciting fights, including special appearances by women’s star, former amateur world champion and 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Marlen Esparza and undefeated bantamweight Jamie Mitchell.

And, in a special development for eager fans worldwide, pioneering digital platform VIVE Network will join InDemand Pay-Per-View (through their existing cable, satellite, and telco providers including Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, DirecTV/U-Verse, Dish, Fios, and Optimum) and livestreaming platform FITE.TV in showing the groundbreaking event for a price of USD $29.95. A very special event pre-show begins Friday night at 8PM EST | 7PM CST | 5PM PST. The event broadcast begins at 9PM EST | 8PM CST | 6PM PST.

The popular Esparza (8-1, 1 KO) of Houston will return to action for the first time this year against rugged Canadian veteran Shelly Barnett (3-1-2, 2 KO) in a six-round bantamweight special attraction. And in the broadcast opener, undefeated bantamweight prospect Jamie “The Miracle” Mitchell (5-0-2, 3 KO) of Pacific Grove, California, will look to continue her climb up the 118-pound rankings against tough Florida-based veteran Noemi “La Rebelde / No-No” Bosques (12-15-3, 2 KO) over six rounds.

Both fights will be presented in support of the 10-round 154-pound unification showdown between undefeated three-division and current WBC/WBO Super Welterweight World champion Claressa Shields and also unbeaten IBF Super Welterweight World Champion Marie-Eve Dicaire, as well as the potentially explosive co-main event featuring undefeated former amateur standout Danielle Perkins (2-0, 1 KO) of Houston, Texas, fighting an eight-round rematch to her exciting non-stop slugfest with Waycross, Georgia’s Monika “Lay Em Down” Harrison (2-1, 1 KO) for the WBC Silver Heavyweight Championship.

In another intriguing, televised match-up, undefeated Logan Holler (9-0-1, 3 KO) of Columbia, South Carolina, will take on Newark, Delaware, veteran Schemelle Baldwin (3-1-2, 2 KO) over eight tough rounds.

Marlen Esparza, the 2012 Olympic bronze medalist in the women’s flyweight division at the summer games in London, is the only other American woman besides Claressa Shields to win an Olympic medal in the sport of boxing. Esparza, like Shields, also won an amateur world championship at the 2014 AIBA World Boxing Championships in Jeju, South Korea. A crossover star with mainstream appeal, Esparza has an endorsement deal with CoverGirl Cosmetics and has also appeared in a Spanish-language commercial for Coca-Cola. She was the subject of Soledad O’Brien’s 2011 CNN documentary In Her Corner: Latino in America 2, as well as an extensive profile in the June 2012 issue of The Atlantic. The addition of Esparza makes a total of three former amateur world champions on the card, with Danielle Perkins having also won in 2019.

“I’m excited to be fighting on this historic all-women’s card around International Women’s Day and to be reunited with my 2012 Olympic teammate Claressa Shields,” said Esparza. “I also want to thank my opponent for taking this fight. I’m looking forward to representing all female fighters on March 5 and putting on a great performance. I want all my fans to tune in to this pay-per-view. This is a great night for women’s boxing and I’m grateful to be a part of it.”

SUPERWOMEN: SHIELDS VS. DICAIRE is dedicated to this year’s International Women’s Day (Monday, March 8, 2021) and presented by Salita Promotions in association with Groupe Yvon Michel.

“I am delighted to add more super talent to this incredible all-female PPV event,” said Dmitriy Salita. “Marlen Esparza is an elite championship fighter who rounds out this already excellent fight card.”

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About International Women’s Day
The first National Women’s Day was observed in the United States on February 28, 1909. In 1910, Europe established a Women’s Day to honour the movement for women’s rights and to build support for achieving universal suffrage for women. After World War II, March 8 started to be celebrated in a number of countries. In 1975, during the International Women’s Year, the United Nations began celebrating March 8 as International Women’s Day. In 1995 the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a historic roadmap signed by 189 governments, focused on 12 critical areas of concern; and the inclusion of Goal 5: “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls” in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This year’s theme of #ChooseToChallenge looks to call out gender bias and inequity and celebrate women’s achievements.

For more information, please visit internationalwomensday.com.

About FITE.TV
FITE.TV is the premiere digital network for direct-to-consumer digital live streaming for combat sports, specializing in professional wrestling, mixed martial arts and boxing events. To millions of fans around the world, FITE.TV streams a rich array of live pay-per-view events, subscription packages and thousands of hours of live and on-demand free programs with a mission to help fans discover and watch premium live events. FITE.TV is the leading digital distributor for the industry’s marquee events, including AEW, Impact, WWE, KSI-Logan Paul 2 from Matchroom, Canelo vs GGG 1 & 2 from GBP / HBO, Pacquiao-Thurman from PBC / Fox, Top Rank / ESPN PPV, ROH, BKFC, NWA, GCW, ONE, Combate, RIZIN, MOTO FITE Klub and FMX FITE Klub, Rumble on the Rooftop, Major Concerts, Tennis, Basketball, Soccer events and more.

About VIVE Network
VIVE Network is a 4K HDR multi-channel, linear OTT TV network and live event platform as a service for third-party content creators available globally on every screen in every format. As a pioneer of the TV Revolution and UHD Initiative, VIVE Network’s mission is to facilitate the creation, proliferation, and monetization of UHD HDR entertainment to address the domain of the multi-millions of viewers around the globe, and in doing so, establishing the network as the ultimate UHD entertainment destination.

About Salita Promotions
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YouTube Channel for regular video updates of boxing’s greatest legends, its best fighters, toughest contenders and brightest prospects in action.

(Tuesday, February 23, 2021 – Flint, MI) An all-star broadcast team of well-known sports professionals and personalities has been assembled for the “SUPERWOMEN: SHIELDS VS. DICAIRE” women’s boxing event livestreamed on FITE.TV (9 pm ET/6 pm PT) and distributed by InDemand to the major cable, satellite and telco outlets for just $29.95. on Friday, March 5, from the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Mich.

Manning the host desk and serving as the night’s unofficial scorer will be boxing & MMA superstar Holly Holm. Holm will be joined by long-time industry insider and media figure Dan Canobbio, who will co-host with Holm and conduct post-fight interviews. Handling the play-by-play will be popular multi-sport anchor and commentator Justin Shackil, while top female sports personality and journalist Claudia Trejos will add color analysis to the action. The ring announcing will be left in the capable hands of well-known PBC staple Ray Flores.

The broadcast’s executive producer will be Nic Canobbio, son of legendary Compubox co-founder Bob Canobbio and current CompuBox, Inc., VP of Operations.

?The impressive team adds the final touches to the broadcast presentation of “SUPERWOMEN: SHIELDS VS. DICAIRE,” an all-female night of professional boxing, featuring a 10-round 154-pound unification showdown between undefeated three-division and current WBC/WBO Super Welterweight World champion Claressa Shields and also unbeaten IBF Super Welterweight World Champion Marie-Eve Dicaire.

To pre-order “SUPERWOMEN: SHIELDS VS. DICAIRE,” click this link: https://www.fite.tv/watch/shields-vs-dicaire/2p8qn/. For those lucky enough to attend live, a limited number of tickets are on sale now. Priced at $300, $225 and $150 (with facility fee included), the exclusive tickets can be purchased at the Dort Financial Center website www.dortfinancialcenter.com, at etix.com or in-person at the Dort Financial Center box office from 9:00-5:00 Monday – Friday.

Dedicated to this year’s International Women’s day (Monday, March 8, 2021) SUPERWOMEN: SHIELDS VS. DICAIRE is presented by Salita Promotions in association with Groupe Yvon Michel.

“These are the top media professionals that this historic night for female boxing deserves,” said promoter Dmitriy Salita. “Holly Holm is one of the most popular female fighters in history and she’ll be lending her unique insights. Claudia Trejos has given much of her life to female sports and broken down several barriers. Dan Canobbio has been around boxing his entire life and grown into an excellent commentator, while Justin Shackil’s outstanding work speaks for itself. Lending his now world-famous voice to introduce the action, Ray Flores continues to build his resume as one of the world’s top ring announcers.”

Holly Holm
As the former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion and a multiple-time world champion in professional boxing, Holly Holm is the first (and only) fighter to hold a world boxing title and a UFC title in history. Holm is ranked by BoxRec as the best female professional boxer of all time, having defended her titles 18 times in three weight classes, and being named Ring magazine Fighter of the Year in 2005 and 2006. In the sport of MMA, Holm’s most notable win occurred at UFC 193 (November 15, 2015) where, in front of a record-breaking crowd for a UFC event (56,215 people), Holm handed fellow fighting star Ronda Rousey her first loss in the sport via a highlight reel head kick in a fight that is generally considered to be one of the biggest upsets in combat sports history. Holm remains a top contender and fan favorite in the bantamweight division of the UFC.

Dan Canobbio
Dan Canobbio has been around the sport of boxing from a young age, as part of the CompuBox family, so the fight game is in his blood. In addition to serving as a CompuBox operator, Canobbio currently is the host of Inside Boxing Live which airs weekly around the globe on both PlutoTV and the Fubo Sports Network streaming services. You can also see Canobbio’s work on FOX Sports through his affiliation with Premier Boxing Champions, UFC FightPass as the ringside reporter for Lou DiBella’s Broadway Boxing series and Bleacher Report Live where Canobbio has served as the lead play-by-play analyst for the Triton Fights MMA promotion since 2014.

Justin Shackil
Justin has provided blow-by-blow commentary on boxing events for DiBella Entertainment that air on UFC Fight Pass since 2019. He currently serves as a digital reporter and host for the New York Yankees and has filled in on Yankees broadcasts on the YES Network. Shackil also anchors sports on SiriusXM Mad Dog Sports Radio, CBS Sports Radio and has worked as a studio anchor for Westwood One.

Claudia Trejos
With over 25 years of experience in the broadcasting industry, Claudia Trejos is an accomplished and authentic sports personality, journalist, and role model for all women and minorities. She is able to reach and connect with fans, athletes and executives fluently in both English and Spanish, inspiring their success and helping to unite cultures.
Trejos is among the first women to cover a boxing match in Saudi Arabia in 2019 and the first Hispanic female color commentator in the NBA’s history, as co-host on the weekly show “NBA Max” from 2002 to 2006. Trejos was also the first female to report on Olympic Boxing at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. First Latina sports journalist to cross-over from Hispanic to General Market TV in Los Angeles in the 1990s.

Ray Flores
For more than a decade, Ray Flores has been a play-by-play man and/ or ring announcer for some of the largest mixed martial arts and boxing organizations worldwide including Premier Boxing Champions, TGB Promotions, Mayweather Promotions, Banner Promotions, World Boxing Super Series, Warriors Boxing, Golden Boy Promotions and many more. In 2017, Ray was the in-arena host for the Mayweather/McGregor world press tour seen all over the world. Over the past several years, Flores has been featured ring announcing on networks such as Fox, NBC, ESPN, CBS, NBCSN, PPV, FS1, MSG, Setanta Sports, SKY Sports, BoxNation, the Active Channel, AXS TV, Galavision, Telefutura, as well as doing play-by-play work on FS1, and Comcast SportsNet Chicago. Ray also spent five years as a sports anchor for ESPN Radio Chicago.

In support of the “herstoric” main event, undefeated former amateur standout Danielle Perkins (2-0, 1 KO) of Houston, Texas, will fight an eight-round rematch to the exciting non-stop slugfest she had with Waycross, Georgia’s Monika “Lay Em Down” Harrison (2-1, 1 KO) last August. This time, however, a prestigious belt will be on the line, as the two warriors will vie for the WBC Silver Heavyweight Championship.

In another outstanding match-up, undefeated fast-rising middleweight Logan “The Golden Girl” Holler (9-0-1, 3 KO) of Columbia, South Carolina, will look to continue her ascent up the 160-pound ranks against Newark, Delaware, veteran Schemelle Baldwin (3-1-2, 2 KO) over eight tough rounds.

More intriguing matchups will be announced shortly.

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About FITE.TV
FITE.TV is the premiere digital network for direct-to-consumer digital live streaming for combat sports, specializing in professional wrestling, mixed martial arts and boxing events. To millions of fans around the world, FITE.TV streams a rich array of live pay-per-view events, subscription packages and thousands of hours of live and on-demand free programs with a mission to help fans discover and watch premium live events. FITE.TV is the leading digital distributor for the industry’s marquee events, including AEW, Impact, WWE, KSI-Logan Paul 2 from Matchroom, Canelo vs GGG 1 & 2 from GBP / HBO, Pacquiao-Thurman from PBC / Fox, Top Rank / ESPN PPV, ROH, BKFC, NWA, GCW, ONE, Combate, RIZIN, MOTO FITE Klub and FMX FITE Klub, Rumble on the Rooftop, Major Concerts, Tennis, Basketball, Soccer events and more.

About International Women’s Day
The first National Women’s Day was observed in the United States on February 28, 1909. In 1910, Europe established a Women’s Day to honour the movement for women’s rights and to build support for achieving universal suffrage for women. After World War II, March 8 started to be celebrated in a number of countries. In 1975, during the International Women’s Year, the United Nations began celebrating March 8 as International Women’s Day. In 1995 the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a historic roadmap signed by 189 governments, focused on 12 critical areas of concern; and the inclusion of Goal 5: “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls” in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This year’s theme of #ChooseToChallenge looks to call out gender bias and inequity and celebrate women’s achievements.

For more information, please visit internationalwomensday.com.

About Salita Promotions
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YouTube Channel for regular video updates of boxing’s greatest legends, its best fighters, toughest contenders and brightest prospects in action.

(Thursday, February 18, 2021 – Flint, MI) A limited number of tickets are on sale now for the “SUPERWOMEN: SHIELDS VS. DICAIRE” women’s boxing event on Friday, March 5 from the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Mich.

Due to pandemic-related limits on capacity, an exclusive 194 tickets can be purchased to watch the all-female night of professional boxing, featuring a 10-round 154-pound unification showdown between undefeated three-division and current WBC/WBO Super Welterweight World champion Claressa Shields and also unbeaten IBF Super Welterweight World Champion Marie-Eve Dicaire.

Priced at $300, $225 and $150 (with facility fee included), the tickets can be purchased at the Dort Financial Center website www.dortfinancialcenter.com, at etix.com or in-person at the Dort Financial Center box office from 9:00-5:00 Monday – Friday.

In support of the “herstoric” main event, undefeated former amateur standout Danielle Perkins (2-0, 1 KO) of Houston, Texas, will fight an eight-round rematch to the exciting non-stop slugfest she had with Waycross, Georgia’s Monika “Lay Em Down” Harrison (2-1, 1 KO) last August. This time, however, a prestigious belt will be on the line, as the two warriors will vie for the WBC Silver Heavyweight Championship.

In another outstanding match-up, undefeated fast-rising middleweight Logan “The Golden Girl” Holler (9-0-1, 3 KO) of Columbia, South Carolina, will look to continue her ascent up the 160-pound ranks against Newark, Delaware, veteran Schemelle Baldwin (3-1-2, 2 KO) over eight tough rounds.

For those not lucky enough to obtain tickets, SUPERWOMEN: SHIELDS VS. DICAIRE will be livestreamed on FITE.TV (9 pm ET/6 pm PT) and distributed by InDemand to the major cable, satellite and telco outlets for just $29.95. To pre-order the fights, click this link: https://www.fite.tv/watch/shields-vs-dicaire/2p8qn/.

Dedicated to this year’s International Women’s day (Monday, March 8, 2021) SUPERWOMEN: SHIELDS VS. DICAIRE is presented by Salita Promotions in association with Groupe Yvon Michel.

More concussive matchups will be announced shortly.

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About FITE.TV
FITE.TV is the premiere digital network for direct-to-consumer digital live streaming for combat sports, specializing in professional wrestling, mixed martial arts and boxing events. To millions of fans around the world, FITE.TV streams a rich array of live pay-per-view events, subscription packages and thousands of hours of live and on-demand free programs with a mission to help fans discover and watch premium live events. FITE.TV is the leading digital distributor for the industry’s marquee events, including AEW, Impact, WWE, KSI-Logan Paul 2 from Matchroom, Canelo vs GGG 1 & 2 from GBP / HBO, Pacquiao-Thurman from PBC / Fox, Top Rank / ESPN PPV, ROH, BKFC, NWA, GCW, ONE, Combate, RIZIN, MOTO FITE Klub and FMX FITE Klub, Rumble on the Rooftop, Major Concerts, Tennis, Basketball, Soccer events and more.

About International Women’s Day
The first National Women’s Day was observed in the United States on February 28, 1909. In 1910, Europe established a Women’s Day to honour the movement for women’s rights and to build support for achieving universal suffrage for women. After World War II, March 8 started to be celebrated in a number of countries. In 1975, during the International Women’s Year, the United Nations began celebrating March 8 as International Women’s Day. In 1995 the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a historic roadmap signed by 189 governments, focused on 12 critical areas of concern; and the inclusion of Goal 5: “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls” in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This year’s theme of #ChooseToChallenge looks to call out gender bias and inequity and celebrate women’s achievements.

For more information, please visit internationalwomensday.com.

About Salita Promotions
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YouTube Channel for regular video updates of boxing’s greatest legends, its best fighters, toughest contenders and brightest prospects in action.

(Wednesday, February 17, 2021 – Flint, MI) Two more exciting women’s bouts have been announced for the televised undercard of the “SUPERWOMEN: SHIELDS VS. DICAIRE” all-female boxing event on Friday, March 5 from the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Mich., and live on InDemand Pay-per-view and livestreaming platform FITE.TV (9 pm ET/6 pm PT).

In support of the “herstoric” main event, a 10-round 154-pound unification showdown between undefeated three-division and current WBC/WBO Super Welterweight World champion Claressa Shields and also unbeaten IBF Super Welterweight World Champion Marie-Eve Dicaire, will be a potentially explosive co-main event, as undefeated former amateur standout Danielle Perkins (2-0, 1 KO) of Houston, Texas, will fight an eight-round rematch to the exciting non-stop slugfest she had with Waycross, Georgia’s Monika “Lay Em Down” Harrison (2-1, 1 KO) last August. This time, however, a prestigious belt will be on the line, as the two warriors will vie for the WBC Silver Heavyweight Championship.

In another outstanding match-up, undefeated fast-rising middleweight Logan “The Golden Girl” Holler (9-0-1, 3 KO) of Columbia, South Carolina, will look to continue her ascent up the 160-pound ranks against Newark, Delaware, veteran Schemelle Baldwin (3-1-2, 2 KO) over eight tough rounds.

Dedicated to this year’s International Women’s day (Monday, March 8, 2021) and presented by Salita Promotions in association with Groupe Yvon Michel, SUPERWOMEN: SHIELDS VS. DICAIRE on Friday, March 5, will be livestreamed on FITE.TV and distributed by InDemand to the major cable, satellite and telco outlets for just $29.95. To pre-order the fights, click this link: https://www.fite.tv/watch/shields-vs-dicaire/2p8qn/.

Undefeated 6-foot tall 198-lb Danielle Perkins was already a world-class athlete before boxing, as she played collegiate basketball for St. John’s University, making two trips to the NCAA Tournament, followed by a professional basketball career in Europe. After an automobile accident left her temporarily paralyzed, Perkins underwent a rigorous rehabilitation program and then dedicated herself to boxing. The towering southpaw won the USA National Championships, and then as a member of Team USA, won the 2019 World Championships in Russia, becoming the first American man or woman to win a world championship since Claressa Shields in 2016. Perkins trains under the tutelage of James Cooper.

“I’m excited to be a part of such an historic all-female card on March 5,” said Perkins. “I admire what Claressa Shields has done as a trailblazer for women’s boxing and I want to bring the same thing to the heavyweight division.”

Once-beaten Monika Harrison started in combat sports as a kickboxer, 17 years ago. The intimidating slugger has had trouble finding opponents in both the amateur and professional ranks but seems to have found a heated rival in Perkins. The pair fought to an exciting four-round decision victory for Perkins last August, but Harrison had her moments and says she’s making the adjustments to even the score this time. A construction worker, originally from Georgia and residing in New Jersey, Harrison turned professional in 2018, and once fought highly touted undefeated prospect Lei’D Tapa to a four-round draw. Tapa never fought again.

A natural to the sport, Columbia, South Carolina, native Logan Holler started boxing as a way to stay in shape, but quickly found she had a knack. A lifelong athlete from an athletic family, Holler’s father played football player for the Green Bay Packers and legendary coach Vince Lombardi. Holler was an equestrian before finding the ring. She earned a Division 1 scholarship to the University of South Carolina’s Equestrian team where she helped them win the SEC Championship. Holler says she had trouble finding amateur fights in South Carolina, so she turned professional in 2014 without ever having fought and has gone on to turn heads by going unbeaten since then. Holler is also a devout Christian. She is trained by former fighter Dominic Robinson-Neal.

“I am excited to be a part of such a great event featuring an all-female card making history on this PPV,” said Holler. “I am looking forward to putting on a strong performance and making a statement as I continue down the path toward a world title shot.”

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About FITE.TV
FITE.TV is the premiere digital network for direct-to-consumer digital live streaming for combat sports, specializing in professional wrestling, mixed martial arts and boxing events. To millions of fans around the world, FITE.TV streams a rich array of live pay-per-view events, subscription packages and thousands of hours of live and on-demand free programs with a mission to help fans discover and watch premium live events. FITE.TV is the leading digital distributor for the industry’s marquee events, including AEW, Impact, WWE, KSI-Logan Paul 2 from Matchroom, Canelo vs GGG 1 & 2 from GBP / HBO, Pacquiao-Thurman from PBC / Fox, Top Rank / ESPN PPV, ROH, BKFC, NWA, GCW, ONE, Combate, RIZIN, MOTO FITE Klub and FMX FITE Klub, Rumble on the Rooftop, Major Concerts, Tennis, Basketball, Soccer events and more.

About International Women’s Day
The first National Women’s Day was observed in the United States on February 28, 1909. In 1910, Europe established a Women’s Day to honour the movement for women’s rights and to build support for achieving universal suffrage for women. After World War II, March 8 started to be celebrated in a number of countries. In 1975, during the International Women’s Year, the United Nations began celebrating March 8 as International Women’s Day. In 1995 the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a historic roadmap signed by 189 governments, focused on 12 critical areas of concern; and the inclusion of Goal 5: “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls” in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This year’s theme of #ChooseToChallenge looks to call out gender bias and inequity and celebrate women’s achievements.

For more information, please visit internationalwomensday.com.

About Salita Promotions
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YouTube Channel for regular video updates of boxing’s greatest legends, its best fighters, toughest contenders and brightest prospects in action.

DETROIT – February 8, 2021 – Undefeated three-division world champion Claressa Shields has left camp at the Jackson Wink MMA Gym in Albuquerque, N.M., working on her MMA training, and resumed boxing training in Florida with elite trainer John David Jackson.

Shields (10-0, 2 KOs) says she and Jackson are catering their training to the fighting style of upcoming opponent Marie-Eve Dicaire (17-0), whom she will face in a 10-round 154-pound unification showdown in the main event of “SUPERWOMEN: SHIELDS VS. DICAIRE,” a tribute to International Women’s Day, broadcast live on InDemand Pay-Per-View and livestreaming service FITE.TV (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) on Friday, March 5 from the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan.

“Training has been going really well,” said Shields. “I was home in Flint for a week and now I’m back here in Florida reuniting with my coach, John David Jackson. It will be great to just focus on boxing training and get ready for my 2021 debut. We are working on a lot of different elements for this camp. Dicaire tends to move a lot, so I’m definitely working on my cardio. This week, I’m also focused on, getting my timing right, but I will be ready for whatever she brings.”

Shields, who will attempt to become the first boxer in the four-belt era, male or female, to be crowned undisputed world champion in two different weight divisions when she faces Dicaire, says the fight being rescheduled due to the pandemic has been frustrating, but she is feeling good and taking every precaution to ensure the potentially historical superfight happens in March.

“We’ve been waiting for this fight to happen for months, so I’m just excited to be back in a boxing training camp and preparing to step back in the ring. We are definitely being safe here in training camp. I’m taking a COVID-19 test weekly and wearing a mask everywhere I go. This fight date has been affected multiple times by the pandemic, but it won’t disrupt my training and preparation for my first PPV.”

With so much world-title-fight experience, despite having just 10 professional fights thus far, Shields says the unbeaten Dicaire will pose some challenges, but none that she can’t adjust to and overcome.

“Dicaire is my first southpaw, but she won’t be the first undefeated champion that I’ve been in the ring with. This will be another chance for me to show off my ring IQ and all of the tools in my arsenal. I’ve been out of the ring for over a year, but on March 5, I’m going to remind everyone why I’m the GWOAT.”

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About FITE.TV
FITE.TV is the premiere digital network for direct-to-consumer digital live streaming for combat sports, specializing in professional wrestling, mixed martial arts and boxing events. To millions of fans around the world, FITE.TV streams a rich array of live pay-per-view events, subscription packages and thousands of hours of live and on-demand free programs with a mission to help fans discover and watch premium live events. FITE.TV is the leading digital distributor for the industry’s marquee events, including AEW, Impact, WWE, KSI-Logan Paul 2 from Matchroom, Canelo vs GGG 1 & 2 from GBP / HBO, Pacquiao-Thurman from PBC / Fox, Top Rank / ESPN PPV, ROH, BKFC, NWA, GCW, ONE, Combate, RIZIN, MOTO FITE Klub and FMX FITE Klub, Rumble on the Rooftop, Major Concerts, Tennis, Basketball, Soccer events and more.

About International Women’s Day
The first National Women’s Day was observed in the United States on February 28, 1909. In 1910, Europe established a Women’s Day to honour the movement for women’s rights and to build support for achieving universal suffrage for women. After World War II, March 8 started to be celebrated in a number of countries. In 1975, during the International Women’s Year, the United Nations began celebrating March 8 as International Women’s Day. In 1995 the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a historic roadmap signed by 189 governments, focused on 12 critical areas of concern; and the inclusion of Goal 5: “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls” in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This year’s theme of #ChooseToChallenge looks to call out gender bias and inequity and celebrate women’s achievements.

For more information, please visit internationalwomensday.com.

About Salita Promotions
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YouTube Channel for regular video updates of boxing’s greatest legends, its best fighters, toughest contenders and brightest prospects in action.