Claressa Shields Card Adds Prominent Names In Separate Fights

A couple of known contenders in the super lightweight division will be part of the Claressa Shields vs. Vanessa Lepage–Joanisse world title main event for Salita Promotions and DAZN at the end of July. Both Michel Rivera and Shobjahon Ergashev will look to enhance their standing at 140 lb. in separate bouts.

Super Lightweight Contenders Added to Claressa Shields vs. Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse Undercard

Official Press Release

“Salita Promotions has announced a pair of world-class super lightweight supporting bouts for its upcoming “BIG TIME BOXING USA: SHIELDS VS. JOANISSE,” event, including an intriguing 10-round co-feature pitting world-ranked super lightweight Michel “La Zarza Ali” Rivera against 140-pound contender Hugo Alberto “Nato” Roldan on Saturday, July 27, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit and airing live on DAZN.

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Headlined by Undisputed Middleweight World Champion and boxing superstar Claressa “GWOAT” Shields’ historic challenge of WBC Women’s Heavyweight World Champion Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse, the night’s televised undercard will also feature power-punching former world-title challenger Shohjahon “Descendant of Tamerlane” Ergashev taking on Julian “The Quiet Storm” Smith in a 10-round super lightweight bout.”

Rivera Looking To Be Back on the Rise

The Dominican 26-year-old Rivera, 25-1, 14 KOs, put together a string of impressive victories over several then-undefeated or once-beaten foes. Those included- Ladarius Miller, 21-1 at the time, Jon Fernandez also 21-1 when meeting Rivera, Jose Matias Romero, 24-1 at the time, Joseph Adorno, unbeaten at the time at 14-0-2 and Jerry Perz, then 14-1.

Rivera picked up the IBF–USBA and WBC Continental Americas lightweight championships rising in the rankings.

However, he was beaten decisively in a 12-round loss by Frank Martin in December of 2022 and to compound his problems tested positive for two banned PEDS as weight loss diuretics. The Nevada Athletic Commission suspended him for six months and fined Rivera $10,000.

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After sitting out most of 2023 Rivera scored an impressive decision win over former world champ Sergey Lipinets in November to get back on track.

“My fans can expect a real fast, explosive Michel Rivera,” said Rivera in the release. “I’ve got a new team, but the same goal. And that’s to be a world champion and dominate the division.”

Eragashev Has Detroit Ties

As for Ergashev, 24-1, 21 KOs, from Detroit via Rakhmon, Uzbekistan, he’s a southpaw, hard puncher, who trains out of the Kronk Gym with the renowned SugarHill Steward.

Before suffering his only career defeat, in an unsuccessful challenge for then-champion Subriel Matias’ IBF Super lightweight title in November, Ergashev had been rolling.

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He stopped the previously unbeaten Sonny Fredrickson in the third round in January 2018. He followed that up in 2019, by winning a unanimous decision over American contender Mykal Fox, handing him the first defeat of his career. Ergashev most recently defeated Panama City veteran Juan Huertas by first-round knockout in March. In his native Uzbekistan, Ergashev is a celebrity superstar with over 2.7 million Instagram followers.

“I am happy to be back in the ring,” said Ergashev in the release. “I look forward to climbing back up the rankings, winning a world title and knocking out my competition. Don’t blink on July 27. I am putting on a big knockout show.”

As mentioned, the multi-division world champion Shields is in the main event, as she attempts to move up to heavyweight in women’s boxing to battle Lepage-Joanisse for her WBC title.