Claressa Shields returns to the ring on July 26 to defend her heavyweight title against IBF light heavyweight champion Lani Daniels.
Claressa Shields will remain at heavyweight for the time being – and will defend her four world titles against Lani Daniels from New Zealand on July 26. The fight will take place in the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit (Michigan) and will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN.
The unbeaten US-American (16-0, 3 knockouts) is a two-time Olympic champion and the first woman in boxing history to hold all major world titles in four weight classes at the same time. After successes in the super welterweight, middleweight and super middleweight divisions, she was crowned the undisputed heavyweight world champion in 2023 – and will now put her titles on the line against another reigning world champion.
Lani Daniels (11-2-2, 1 knockout), the current IBF world light heavyweight champion, is taking the bold step up to heavyweight. The 36-year-old has plenty of experience, but is clearly considered the underdog against the six years younger and physically superior Shields (1.73 m). Shields has mastered every challenge so far and wants to further cement her historic career with this fight.
“This is more than just a fight – it’s a moment that breaks boundaries,” says promoter Dmitriy Salita. He draws parallels with the legendary Jack Johnson, who was the first African-American to become world heavyweight champion in Australia in 1908. Shields also wants to make history in both sporting and symbolic terms – not just as a dominant athlete, but as a pioneer for equal rights in boxing.
Text by Robin Josten