Claressa Shields Defends Heavyweight Title with Unanimous Decision Over Lani Daniels

Claressa Shields continues to redefine what it means to be a champion in women’s boxing. On Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Shields successfully defended her undisputed heavyweight title by defeating New Zealand’s Lani Daniels in a 10-round bout that ended in a unanimous decision. The judges scored the fight 100-90, 99-91, and 99-91 in Shields’ favor, marking another dominant display by the self-proclaimed ‘Greatest Woman of All Time’ (GWOAT).

Shields vs. Daniels: A Clash of Styles

The fight showcased a fascinating clash of styles. Daniels, a 37-year-old IBF light heavyweight champion, entered the ring as a significant underdog. This was her first fight outside her home country of New Zealand, and her strategy was clear from the start: stay on the move to avoid Shields’ power punches. For the first few rounds, Daniels’ evasive tactics seemed to frustrate Shields, who had to chase her opponent around the ring. The crowd, eager for action, expressed their dissatisfaction with Daniels’ defensive approach.

However, Shields quickly adapted, using her superior boxing IQ and relentless aggression to dominate the middle and later rounds. By Round 5, Shields began landing powerful body shots that visibly wore Daniels down. Despite Daniels showing moments of resilience in the final rounds, Shields’ combination of speed, power, and technical skill proved too much for her to handle. As Shields herself noted after the fight, “I broke her to the body. I broke her down to the head. Lani is just very, very tough.”

Milestones and Challenges

This victory improves Shields’ professional record to an unblemished 17-0, further cementing her legacy as one of the most accomplished boxers in history. She remains the only fighter, male or female, to hold all four major world titles in three different weight classes. Earlier this year, Shields made history by becoming the first boxer to achieve undisputed status in three weight divisions after defeating Danielle Perkins in Flint, Michigan.

Shields’ journey hasn’t been without its hurdles. After her win against Perkins in February, she faced a brief suspension due to a positive marijuana test. However, Michigan officials later cleared her name, citing procedural errors in the testing process. Shields used this setback as fuel to prepare for her bout with Daniels, proving once again why she is regarded as a pioneer in the sport.

The Road Ahead: Who’s Next for the GWOAT?

While Shields remains focused on her heavyweight reign, the question of her next opponent looms large. A potential matchup against retired boxing legend Laila Ali has been a topic of speculation, but so far, negotiations have stalled. Shields has also expressed interest in facing Franchon Crews-Dezurn, the current WBC and WBA super middleweight champion, or even Shadasia Green, who holds the WBO and IBF titles in the same division. However, Shields dismissed Green’s confidence in a potential matchup, saying, “Shadasia didn’t really sound too confident when my name came up.”

Another intriguing possibility is a showdown with welterweight champion Mikaela Mayer at 154 pounds. Shields has made it clear that she is willing to take on any challenge, stating, “I just want to make the best fights and the biggest fights.”

A Night to Remember in Detroit

The atmosphere at the Little Caesars Arena was electric, with a sell-out crowd of over 15,000 fans cheering Shields on. Rapper Rick Ross accompanied her to the ring, adding to the spectacle of the evening. Shields’ dominance wasn’t the only highlight of the night; the co-main event featured Detroit native Tony Harrison, who secured a unanimous decision victory over Edward Diaz.

Harrison, a former WBC super welterweight champion, returned to the ring for the first time since 2023 and showcased his boxing skills despite a ninth-round knockdown scare. His performance, along with Shields’ triumph, made the event a celebration of Detroit’s rich boxing heritage.

Claressa Shields’ victory over Lani Daniels not only solidified her status as the undisputed heavyweight champion but also reaffirmed her position as a trailblazer in women’s boxing. As she looks ahead to new challenges, one thing is certain: the GWOAT’s journey is far from over.