Costa Rican Hanna Gabriels, who is the current WBO (World Boxing Organization) and WBA (Word Boxing Association) Female World Super Welterweight Champion (154 lbs.) and the US former Olympic gold medalist and now WBC (World Boxing Council and IBF ( International Boxing Federation) World Female Super Middleweight Champion (168 lbs.) Claressa Shields will be facing off June 22.

The news were released by Supreme Boxing and confirmed by Gabriels through her Facebook account; however, not all details have been revealed; the fighters have agreed in a catch-weight meaning that Gabriels will have to move up in weight and Shields down to 160 lbs. The fighters will be disputing the vacant IBF and WBA Female World Titles.

Boxer Bryan Vásquez, Gabriels’ husband, explained through Facebook that “there’s 85% chance this fight will be held in New York” he also commented they are trying to negotiate the transmission rights with local TV channels, “this is the biggest female boxing fight of the year, and ‘la negrita’ (Hanna) is part of it, I am super proud because it has been a long and hard road for her, it’s a well-deserved opportunity, the biggest female boxers right now worldwide #1 in 168 lbs. and my wife #1 in 154 lbs., they agree to fight at 160 lbs. to face the best and define who is the best pound for pound, this is a great battle people!”, wrote Vasquez.

Claressa “T-Rex” Shields is 23 years of age, a native of Flint, Michigan, she is 5’8” (173 cm) and has a perfect professional record of 5 wins, she began fighting professionally in 2016, however Shields had a successful amateur career, winning gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, becoming the first American boxer (female or male) to win consecutive Olympic medals.

Hanna Gabriels is Costa Rica’s first (female or male) World Champion, she has held world titles in two weight divisions. Gabriels is 35 years-old, 5’7 (170 cm) and has a record of 18 wins , 1 loss, 1 draw.

We will update with information on the venue as soon as it has been confirmed.