Claressa Shields proved once again why she’s the face of women’s boxing with a commanding unanimous decision victory over Lani Daniels in her first defense of the undisputed heavyweight title. Fighting in front of a hometown crowd at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena on July 26, Shields (17-0, 3 KOs) added another flawless performance to her already historic résumé.
Coming off her recent induction into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025, Shields showed why she’s the only boxer—male or female—to become the undisputed champion in three separate weight classes. In February, Shields made history by achieving undisputed status in three weight divisions with a unanimous decision win over Danielle Perkins as a heavyweight in her hometown of Flint, Michigan.
The judges scored the bout 100-90, 99-91, and 99-91, reflecting her dominance from start to finish.
“She’s tough,” Shields admitted post-fight. “I hit her with some big shots to the body and head. I mixed it up well, but I knew she could take it. I saw from her past fights she had worked on her speed.”
Daniels, the reigning IBF light heavyweight titleholder from New Zealand, had won seven straight coming into her U.S. debut. While she had her moments, particularly in the later rounds, she couldn’t match Shields’ speed, accuracy, or ring generalship.
In the opening round, Daniels stayed on her toes, circling the ring as Shields stalked her down. As the round came to a close, Shields began landing punches, a pattern that would continue. Over the next three rounds, the Flint native poured on the pressure with crisp combinations and body work. Though Daniels responded with the occasional left hook or counter right, Shields controlled the tempo.
From rounds five through eight, Daniels occasionally managed to pin Shields against the ropes, sneaking in shots, but the champion answered back with volume and precision, staying in command. Round nine saw Shields return to targeting the body, and although Daniels unleashed a short flurry, the round belonged to the defending champ.
In the tenth and final round, Daniels made a final push, charging forward and trading with Shields. But the woman who calls herself the GWOAT—Greatest Woman of All Time—absorbed the attack and returned fire with clean, heavy punches that sealed the win.
With another dominant match behind her, Shields continues to rewrite boxing history and now turns her sights to her next opponent—though it’s unclear who will step up for the challenge.
The victory marked the first time that Shields had fought twice in a calendar year since 2022.
Claressa Shields vs. Lani Daniels full card results
- Claressa Shields (c) def. Lani Daniels by UD10 (100-90, 99-91 x2) for the IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO heavyweight titles
- Tony Harrison def. Edward Diaz by UD10 (96-93, 98-91, 97-92); Middleweight
- Pryce Taylor def. Robert Simms by UD8 (80-72 x3); Heavyweight
- Samantha Worthington def. Victoire Piteau by MD10 (99-91, 96-94, 95-95); Super Lightweight
- Caroline Veyre def. Licia Boudersa by UD10 (99-91 x2, 98-92); Featherweight
