Undefeated American boxing sensation Claressa Shields extended her perfect professional record to 17-0 with a commanding victory over New Zealand’s Lani Daniels in Detroit, Michigan.
The bout, staged at a sold-out Little Caesars Arena, was the headline fight of an 11-match boxing night broadcast live on DAZN.
Shields, who remains the undisputed women’s heavyweight champion, now boasts three knockouts in her career.
The event attracted a massive crowd and opened with a dramatic entrance as the Flint native was escorted by hip-hop star Rick Ross, who performed his hit track Blowing Money Fast (BMF).
Shields was also joined by her boyfriend, rapper Papoose, and a throng of supporters proudly hoisting championship belts.
Despite the electric build-up, the first round was slow and cautious. Both Shields and Daniels landed just two punches in the opening two minutes, prompting boxing analysts to liken it to a game of “cat and mouse.”
Shields, currently ranked the world’s second-best female boxer across all weight divisions, soon settled into her rhythm.
From the second round onwards, Shields began to assert control, consistently out-throwing her opponent.
She strategically targeted Daniels’ midsection, delivering quick, sharp body shots designed to wear the New Zealander down. Shields’ tactic worked; Daniels shifted from a defensive, evasive approach to engaging Shields toe-to-toe.
By the sixth round, Shields had picked up the pace, landing clean blows to Daniels’ body and head.
Her corner even signalled that Daniels was weakening. However, Daniels remained defiant and resilient, withstanding heavy shots and showing notable composure under pressure.
A powerful punch from Shields in the seventh round snapped Daniels’ head back, further highlighting the American’s dominance.
The eighth round followed a similar pattern, with Shields showcasing better shot selection and superior power.
Daniels was simply outclassed in exchanges.
The judges unanimously declared Shields the winner, scoring the fight 100–90, 99–91, and 99–91.
Fans flocked to social media to praise her dominant performance. One Instagram user wrote, “I love what she’s doing for boxing. As a woman, I am PROUD.” Another noted, “Never seen a woman fighter get this kind of attention or money… she is who she says she is.”