Claressa Shields, the self-proclaimed “Greatest Woman of All Time,” left no doubt Saturday night, July 26, as she retained her undisputed heavyweight title with a decisive unanimous decision victory over New Zealand’s Lani Daniels at the Little Caesars Arena.
The Flint, Michigan native improved her flawless professional record to 17-0, outclassing her 37-year-old opponent across all 10 rounds.
Judges scored the bout 100-90, 99-91, and 99-91 in favor of Shields, whose speed, accuracy, and ring generalship were on full display before a home crowd of approximately 15,000.
“I thought she wanted to fight, but she didn’t really engage until the last three rounds,” Shields told DAZN after the fight. “She was very tough and tricky toward the end, but I know I won every round.”
Daniels offered minimal offense in the early stages, staying on the back foot and opting for evasiveness rather than engagement. Shields began landing effectively by the middle rounds, especially to the body, visibly slowing Daniels’ footwork and snapping her head back in the seventh round.
While Daniels showed flashes of resistance in the eighth, trading punches with Shields, the American’s dominance was never seriously in question.
The Reign Continues
At just 30 years old, Shields has already become one of the most decorated champions in boxing history. She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a three-division undisputed world champion, having conquered the middleweight, light-middleweight, and now heavyweight divisions.
Earlier this year, Shields unified the heavyweight class by defeating Danielle Perkins, becoming a five-weight champion in the process—an unprecedented accomplishment in women’s boxing.
What’s Next? Laila Ali, Franchon Crews-Dezurn in the Mix
With few true challengers left at heavyweight, Shields is likely to move back down in weight in pursuit of more lucrative and competitive bouts.
“Anybody can get it,” she said post-fight. “I want to make the biggest fights and the best fights.”
One rumored matchup gaining buzz is a potential mega-fight against retired boxing legend Laila Ali, daughter of Muhammad Ali. While promoter Dmitry Salita has reportedly made an offer, the 47-year-old Ali hasn’t fought since 2007, when she retired undefeated at 24-0 with 21 knockouts.
More realistically, a rematch with Franchon Crews-Dezurn, current WBA and WBC super-middleweight champion and Shields’ first-ever professional opponent, is also being discussed.
Shields previously defeated Crews-Dezurn by unanimous decision in 2016.
