The GWOAT is back—and this time, she’s bringing the fireworks to Little Caesars Arena. Claressa Shields (16-0, 3 KOs), the queen of the sport, will defend her Undisputed Heavyweight World Championship against New Zealand’s Lani Daniels (11-2-2, 1 KO) on Saturday, July 26, live on DAZN. Shields keeps rewriting history, and now she’s out to cement her heavyweight reign in front of 19,000 roaring fans.
What’s Shields saying ahead of this clash?
Shields didn’t hold back. “My fights keep getting bigger and better. Lani’s coming to bring all the smoke—so she says! This will be a sellout of 19,000, so get your tickets and witness herstory,” Shields fired off.
Fresh off obliterating Danielle Perkins earlier this year to become the first-ever undisputed women’s heavyweight champ, Shields looks untouchable. Two Olympic gold medals, three undisputed crowns in different weight classes—no one’s ever done it like her.
And she’s not slowing down. “I’m the best super middleweight, middleweight, light heavyweight, and now heavyweight,” Shields has said repeatedly. That’s not talk—that’s a résumé.
Who is Lani Daniels and what’s her mindset?
Daniels, aka “The Smiling Assassin,” isn’t here for a paycheck. She’s gunning to reclaim her IBF title—and grab the other three belts while she’s at it. “To be the best, you have to fight the best,” Daniels said. She’s carrying the pride of New Zealand and coming in hot on a seven-fight win streak.
But this isn’t just about belts for Daniels. She’s a survivor—overcoming tragedy, addiction, and mental health struggles to rise as a two-division world champ. Daniels has made it clear: “This is personal. I’m bringing everything I have into that ring on July 26.”
Why does this fight matter?
This isn’t just a title defense. Shields is defending more than her belts—she’s defending her legacy in a city built by fighters. Detroit’s boxing history runs deep with legends like Thomas Hearns, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and James Toney. Now Shields carries that torch, headlining Detroit’s biggest boxing event of the summer.
Salita Promotions’ Dmitriy Salita nailed it: “This is more than a fight—it’s a defining moment in the evolution of boxing and women’s sport.”
Tickets drop Friday, May 9 via 313Presents.com and Ticketmaster.com. You’ve been warned—this one’s going to sell out fast.
Ok so Claressa won golds and belts and probs could knock me into next Tuesday, but can she fold laundry while beatin Lani? now THATS true multitasking 🧺🥊 #GWOATmaybe
@Mprice 😂 if laundry was olympic sport she’d have gold there too tbh.
I think my mom could take both of em with her chancleta 🔥👡 just sayin lol.
‘This fight it matter big’ cause it shows how far womens boxxing gone!! My mama boxed in gym an never got no respect but now look—arena selling out! 🎉 Claressa show world what woman can dooo!
@Shaw Florence yessss girlll!!! finally sum respect on women gloves 💯👏 mama wud be proud 💕
*eye roll* oh great here comes another “legacy fight” where the winner already decided before bell even ringz 😂😂 ya’ll act like Detroit never seen a real fighter before pleaseee.
@Taylor Peter bro relax u sound bitterer than lemon juice in winter lol 😂 let them women shine for once without the sarcasms
…Wow so now every1s a hero if they throw punches??? 🙄 I eat cereal everyday doesn’t mean I’m cereal champ of kitchen LOL but sure call her GWOAT if that helps u sleep
To add context, Claressa Shields became the first boxer—male or female—to hold undisputed titles in three different weight divisions. That’s unprecedented in boxing history and should not be overlooked 👏.
this article is jus a puff piece for shields. like cmon do we realy need another hype parade. daniels has a chance too but nobody mentons that! biased af 😒
Uhm Craig maybe u read wrong, it say Daniels got a story and her own belts?? U jus hatin cause Shields is winning too much 😤 sit down.
Claressa she is truly inspieringgg, like she fight 4 all womens an shw us we cn be strongg too 💪💪. She’s not just boxin she making historree!! I be watchin live n screamingg!! Go GOAT🔥🔥