Claressa “The GWOAT” Shields reminded the world why she’s boxing royalty with a commanding unanimous decision win over New Zealand’s Lani Daniels in Detroit, defending her status as the undisputed women’s heavyweight world champion.
In front of a roaring hometown crowd of 15,366 at the Little Caesars Arena, Shields extended her professional record to 17-0, delivering a masterclass in power, precision, and poise. The judges scored the bout 100-90 and 99-91 twice—all in favor of the American star.
The Fight: All Shields, All Night
Daniels, the reigning IBF light-heavyweight champion, came into the ring on a seven-fight win streak, but this was her first bout outside her native New Zealand. She started cautiously, circling the ring and attempting to stay out of Shields’ range in the opening rounds. However, Shields, ever the tactician, waited patiently before unleashing sharp combinations that caught Daniels off-guard late in those rounds.
Once Daniels stopped running, Shields went to work. She pounded Daniels with a mix of body shots and head combinations, clearly dominating every exchange. From round three onward, it was Shields in complete control, pressing forward and picking her shots with ruthless efficiency.
Boxing Royalty in the Motor City
Shields’ latest triumph is more than just another win—it’s a symbol of Detroit’s resurgence as a boxing hub. Once the home of legends like Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, and Thomas Hearns, the city went decades without hosting major fights.
But Shields has reignited the flame. After headlining Detroit’s first major card at Little Caesars Arena in 2023—where she defeated Maricela Cornejo—she returned last summer to knock out WBC heavyweight champion Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse in front of 12,000 fans. Her latest bout drew an even bigger crowd, showing just how magnetic her presence has become in the sport.
And it’s not just fans who are paying attention—Shields was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame just a day before the fight, cementing her place in her state’s sporting history.
A Trailblazer Like No Other
At just 30, Claressa Shields has done it all. She’s a two-time Olympic gold medalist (London 2012 and Rio 2016), the first American boxer—male or female—to win consecutive Olympic boxing golds. Professionally, she’s conquered five different weight classes, from 154 lbs to 200 lbs, and has now successfully defended her undisputed heavyweight titles.
What’s Next? A Challenge to Laila Ali
Shields and her team are aiming even higher. Her promoter, Dmitry Salita, revealed they’ve extended a challenge to none other than Laila Ali—the daughter of Muhammad Ali—to come out of retirement and face Shields in what could be the most historic women’s boxing bout ever.
“A women’s undisputed heavyweight championship bout between these two icons has the potential to be the fight of the century,” Salita told Sky Sports.
Final Bell
Claressa Shields isn’t just winning fights—she’s building a legacy. With every jab, every title, and every sold-out arena, she continues to break barriers and redefine what’s possible in women’s boxing. Whether or not Laila Ali answers the call, one thing is certain: the GWOAT is far from done roaring.
