Claressa Shields will return towards Maricela Cornejo

James Chance / Getty Images

FIGHT WEEK

Date: Saturday, June 3
Time: 9pm ET / 6pm PT (main event later in the schedule)
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
TV/Stream:DAZN
Department: Middleweight (160lbs)
Rate: Shields’ undisputed championship
Chances: Favorite dials 34-1 (average of multiple outlets)
Also on the card: Ardreal Holmes vs. Wendy Toussaint, junior middleweight
Forecast: UD targets
Background: The queen of women’s boxing returns to the ring after what may be her most important victory, a unanimous decision over the only woman to beat her – Savannah Marshall – last October. She was scheduled to fight Hanna Gabriels on Saturday, but Gabriels was removed from the card after she tested positive for a banned substance. Cornejo agreed to step in Thursday, although she had been on the Shields’ list of desirable opponents for some time. Shields is considered by many to be the best player on the field, especially after rival Katie Taylor lost to Chantelle Cameron 20th of May. The only downside to her record is the lack of knockouts, which the 28-year-old Michigander said she worked out at the gym. Cornejo is a 36-year-old who lives and trains in Los Angeles. The WBO No. 1 fighter lost decisions in three title bouts, once against 160-pound Kali Reis and twice against 168-pound champion Franchon Crews Dezurn. Cornejo has won three consecutive fights since losing by decision to Alma Ibarra in March 2021. She was never arrested.

Date: Thursday, June 1
Time: 9pm ET / 6pm PT (main event later in the schedule)
Where: Casino de Montreal, Montreal
TV/Stream: ESPN+
Department: Middleweight (160lbs)
Rate: No major titles
Pound–per pound: Nothing
Chances: THIS
Also on the card: Steve Claggett vs. Alberto Machado, junior welterweight
Forecast: Bazinyan UD
Background: Bazinyan is a 28-year-old former amateur star – he claims to have only lost once in the unpaid ranks – from Armenia who now lives and trains in Montreal. He is ranked by all four major sanctioning bodies (#2 by three of them) but has yet to challenge for a major title, although he has beaten some solid opponents. This includes decisions on the raw Marcelo Coceres last June and the skillful Alantez Fox in February. The unranked Macias is not a step forward in the opposition. The 31-year-old journeyman from Mexico is tough but was outclassed as he faced higher-level opponents, including a decision loss to Erickson Lubin and Giovani Santillan. Last July, he lost a one-sided loss to 168-pound contender Pavel Silyagin.