Claressa Shields Outclasses Lani Daniels in Heavyweight Title Defense
This past Saturday night in Detroit, Claressa Shields once again proved why she’s considered one of the greatest in women’s boxing. She stepped into the ring at Little Caesars Arena and completely dominated New Zealand’s Lani Daniels to retain her undisputed heavyweight championship. The event was broadcast on DAZN and headlined an 11-fight card — but Shields was clearly the star of the night.
Right from the opening bell, it was obvious that Shields had come in focused and prepared, though the first round took a strange turn. Only two punches were landed between both fighters in that round, almost like a cautious chess match. Some fans joked that it felt more like a Tom-and-Jerry skit than a prizefight. But if anyone thought the entire bout would follow that sleepy rhythm, they were in for a surprise.
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Once the second round began, Shields took command — and never looked back. Round after round, she outthrew and outlanded Daniels, often by wide margins. She mixed in feints to bait Daniels into making mistakes, and when those mistakes came, Shields capitalized with sharp, powerful punches. Her strategy wasn't just about landing shots up top; she made a serious investment in body work early on. By consistently targeting Daniels’ midsection, she slowly chipped away at her opponent’s mobility and stamina.
That body attack paid off as the fight wore on. Instead of dancing around the ring and avoiding exchanges, Daniels was increasingly forced to stand in front of Shields — and that's where the real action unfolded. In the sixth round, Shields really stepped it up, landing some punishing body shots and even a clean shot to Daniels’ temple that visibly rocked her. Her corner could be heard encouraging her to go in for the finish, sensing that Daniels was ripe for the taking.
Still, Daniels showed grit. She stayed on her feet through some heavy punishment and even managed to fire back in the later rounds, especially the eighth, where things got heated and both fighters traded blows more freely. But it was Shields who always had the edge — better timing, cleaner shots, and more power.
By the final bell, there was no doubt about the outcome. The judges scored it 100-90, 99-91, and 99-91 — a landslide in Shields’ favor. She improved her professional record to 17-0 with three knockouts, cementing her place at the top of the pound-for-pound list in women’s boxing.
The night also saw Tony Harrison make a successful return after more than two years out of the ring, and Samantha Worthington — Shields’ protege — grabbed an interim world title in a tough bout. But make no mistake, it was Claressa Shields who stole the spotlight and once again showed why she’s the queen of the ring.
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