Claressa Shields, widely regarded as one of the most dominant forces in boxing—male or female—will once again step into the spotlight in front of a hometown crowd when she returns to Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena on Saturday, July 26. The undefeated and undisputed heavyweight world champion is set to defend her titles against reigning light heavyweight champion Lani Daniels of New Zealand in what promises to be a historic showdown. The main event will be broadcast live on DAZN.
Shields (16-0, 3 KOs), the Flint native who has been rewriting boxing’s history books since her professional debut, has become a transcendent figure in the sport. From her Olympic gold medal triumphs to her domination across multiple weight classes, Shields has consistently pushed the boundaries of possibility in women’s boxing. She is the first boxer (male or female) to achieve undisputed status in three weight divisions and now holds the inaugural women’s undisputed heavyweight championship, a feat she secured earlier this year in Flint.
“Women’s boxing has grown by leaps and bounds since Claressa Shields headlined the very first women’s main event on a nationally televised card,” said Dmitriy Salita, President of Salita Promotions. “Now, she stands atop the mountain, defending the undisputed women’s heavyweight world title for the first time.”
That first defense will take place at a familiar venue. Shields previously fought and successfully defended her titles at Little Caesars Arena, a place where her local fanbase has turned out in force to support her. July’s bout marks her seventh professional appearance in Detroit, a city steeped in boxing tradition and known for producing legends such as Thomas “Hitman” Hearns, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and James “Lights Out” Toney.
“I am so excited to be defending my Undisputed Heavyweight World Championship in Detroit at Little Caesars Arena,” said Shields. “My fights continue to get bigger and better. My opponent, Lani from New Zealand, is coming to bring all the smoke, or so she says! This fight will be a sellout of 19,000 so get your tickets and be there to witness herstory on July 26 with the GWOAT.”
That “herstory” Shields references has been building steadily since February, when she dismantled the towering and dangerous Danielle Perkins at the Dort Financial Center in Flint. That dominant performance not only made Shields the first-ever undisputed women’s heavyweight champion but also added another highlight to her already iconic resume.
Her upcoming opponent, Lani Daniels (11-2-2, 1 KO), brings her own impressive story to the ring. Known as “The Smiling Assassin,” Daniels is the reigning IBF light heavyweight world champion and a former heavyweight champion in her own right. With seven straight victories, Daniels has established herself as a formidable contender in multiple divisions. She now seeks to dethrone Shields and unify the heavyweight belts.
“To be the best you have to fight the best,” Daniels said. She also offered words in her native Māori: “I te pō pouri rawa, ka ara te marama, ā, ka kitea te pono, ”which translates to “On the darkest nights the full moon will rise and the truth will be revealed.”
Daniels made history in 2023 by becoming the first New Zealand-born fighter to win world titles in two different divisions, capturing the IBF light heavyweight belt after a gritty victory over Desley Robinson. Her accomplishments inside the ring are matched by her impact outside of it. After losing her younger brother to leukemia at the age of 14, Daniels battled personal struggles that included drug use and suicidal thoughts. She has since emerged as an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness, using her platform to inspire others around the world.
With both fighters carrying the weight of legacy and purpose, the July 26 clash promises to be a defining moment in women’s boxing and a celebration of resilience and excellence.
“Over a century ago, Jack Johnson traveled to Australia to become the first African American heavyweight champion of the world,” said Salita. “On July 26, Claressa Shields writes her own chapter in that on-going legacy—bringing the fight home to Detroit and facing a significant challenge in the reigning light heavyweight world champion, Lani Daniels. This is more than a fight. It is a defining moment in the evolution of boxing and women’s sport.”
Tickets for Shields vs. Daniels go on sale Friday, May 9 and can be purchased online at 313Presents.com and Ticketmaster.com, or in person at The XFINITY Box Office at Little Caesars Arena.
Backed by Salita Promotions, the event will also showcase several Michigan-grown fighters who are helping to carry the state’s proud boxing tradition into the future. Alongside Shields, boxers such as Ardreal Holmes Jr., Joshua James Pagan, and Joseph Hicks Jr. will continue building their legacies in front of a home crowd.
In a career already filled with firsts, Shields continues to raise the bar. Whether it’s Olympic gold, multi-division dominance, or selling out one of Detroit’s premier venues, the self-proclaimed GWOAT—Greatest Woman of All Time—is proving to be exactly that.
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