Marie Eve Dicaire Looking Forward to Her Opportunity of a Lifetime Against Claressa Shields
IBF Women’s World Junior Middleweight Marie Eve Dicaire (17-0) is facing the biggest test of her pro career. On March 5, she faces WBA ‘Super’/WBC/WBO 154-pound champion Claressa Shields (10-0, 2 KOs) at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan.
This fight has been a year in the making. They were originally scheduled to fight in May of 2020. Unfortunately, the Shields vs Dicaire was postponed and pushed back multiple times due to the coronavirus pandemic. At last, the bout will finally take place.
PROVING PEOPLE WRONG
For Dicaire, she is aware of the challenge. Shields is among the most accomplished fighters in the world. A three-division world champ, the self-proclaimed “GWOAT” is among the elite female boxers in the sport.
As an extra burden, this fight will occur in Shields’ hometown. So, it is understandable why most pundits view Dicaire as the underdog. However, the woman from St-Eustache, Quebec, Canada would not have it any other way. As she explained to Ring Magazine, it is a motivating force and a way of life.
“I am so comfortable as the underdog. When I was a kid and someone would dare me to do something, that gave me so much courage, drive, and fuel to accomplish it. To beat the odds brings me back to that situation.
I love challenges, and I always said that I wanted to be the best, and to do that, you have to go through fights like this. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime. Since I was a kid, I dreamed of an opportunity like this to show my skills, talent, and passion for my sport. And now that I have this opportunity, I want to seize it.”
KEY TO SUCCESS
The task is daunting. With zero knockouts on her ledger, it is unlikely Dicaire wins by stoppage. But the Canadian believes her mental approach will play a major role against Shields.
She works with a sports psychologist, Jean-Francois Menard. In her view, the ability to adjust on the fly and keep things in the present is one of her greatest assets. Dicaire believes her tough mindset will be the difference on fight night.
UNDERSTANDING THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
In the end, it is an opportunity to be a part of history. This is world title unification – something of a rarity in contemporary times.
Airing on Fite TV pay-per-view, this is the first time a women’s bout headlines a pay-per-view event since Laila Ali defeated Jacqui Frazier-Lyle in 2001. It is that aspect that is important to the IBF champ. She looks at this fight as something that will influence the younger generation. It is also about displaying her talents and showing what kind of fighter she truly is.
“I think it’s huge. I am happy that I am making history. Boxing is more than a sport; it’s opening the doors and helping people believe in themselves. And I think for all the kids watching us, it shows that you can achieve when you believe. So, I think this fight is significant for that.
I am looking forward to showing the improvement I’ve made in the past year. I want to show the world my skills, my boxing IQ, and I want to let my performance speak for itself.
Just being in the ring will be amazing because I have been training for this fight for over a year. So, I am enjoying every moment of the experience.
I know I will be proud no matter what because I gave it my all in my preparation, and I know I will give it my all in the fight. So regardless of the result, I will be proud. But for me, there is nothing but a victory in my mind.”
Dicaire has her opportunity to prove the doubters wrong once again on March 5 on the biggest stage of her career.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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