Claressa Shields to Face Lani Daniels July 26 in Detroit
Undisputed heavyweight queen returns home for third headlining bout at Little Caesars Arena
Claressa Shields is back—and Detroit is once again the epicenter of women’s boxing.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist and reigning undisputed women’s heavyweight champion will defend her titles against IBF light heavyweight champion Lani Daniels on Friday, July 26, at Little Caesars Arena, live on DAZN
Shields (16-0, 2 KOs), 30, made the announcement on social media Wednesday, setting the stage for her third headliner at the venue where she has become a consistent draw. Her last outing saw her dominate Danielle Perkins in March, securing a wide unanimous decision in her hometown of Flint, Michigan.
Now, the self-styled GWOAT (Greatest Woman of All Time) takes on New Zealand’s Lani Daniels (11-2-2, 1 KO), a 36-year-old southpaw who brings the IBF 175-pound title and a seven-fight win streak into enemy territory.
While Daniels holds the size and reach advantage, Shields’ résumé is unparalleled in women’s boxing: Olympic gold in 2012 and 2016, multiple world titles across three divisions, and the current undisputed crown at heavyweight.
“Claressa has reignited boxing in Detroit. She’s not just winning—she’s headlining and selling out arenas,” said promoter Dmitriy Salita. “This fight with Daniels is another chapter in her legacy—and another spotlight moment for women’s boxing.”
Detroit Legacy, Claressa’s Stage
Little Caesars Arena, home to the NHL’s Red Wings and NBA’s Pistons, didn’t host boxing until 2022—when Shields changed that by defeating Maricela Cornejo in the venue’s first-ever card. Last summer, she returned to knock out WBC heavyweight champ Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse in front of 12,000 fans.
Now, she looks to make it 3-0 in the arena and continue cementing her status as Detroit’s modern fighting icon—walking in the footsteps of legends like Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, and Thomas Hearns.
