Every so often, a fighter emerges in women’s boxing capable of redefining the sport. Claressa Shields is firmly in that category. Alongside names like Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, Shields has elevated the game to new heights—but her resume stands alone in many ways. Now, with a pristine 16-0 professional record, the multi-division champion is set to return to defend her unbeaten streak against New Zealand’s Lani Daniels in a high-stakes matchup.
Daniels, a seasoned veteran with a battle-tested mindset, enters the bout with nothing to lose and everything to gain. While her early career saw a few setbacks, she has since built momentum that’s earned her this shot at boxing’s elite. Her road to this opportunity hasn’t been easy, but her grit and persistence have paid off—placing her on the brink of what could be a career-defining upset.
Adding further intrigue to this contest is Shields’ recent announcement that she’s done with mixed martial arts. After going 2-1 during her run with the PFL, the 30-year-old confirmed in an interview that her focus will return solely to boxing. MMA, while a challenge she embraced, pulled too much time from the sport where she’s already built a historic legacy. Her full commitment to the ring sets the tone for this new chapter—and for this showdown with Daniels.
For Daniels, the underdog role brings both freedom and fire. She’s already familiar with defeat, and that experience makes her dangerous. There’s no pressure of protecting a perfect record—just the opportunity to shock the world. While many fans expect Shields to cruise, Daniels has the kind of awkward style and late-round tenacity to make things interesting, especially if she presses forward early and forces Shields to fight at a pace outside her comfort zone.
The key for Daniels will be disrupting Shields’ rhythm. That means flurrying in close quarters, applying pressure, and not letting Shields settle into her typical jab-and-counter pattern. Daniels has the cardio to go the distance, but if she wants to pull off the upset, she’ll need to take risks, especially in the middle rounds when Shields is usually setting traps.
Still, Shields is a master at controlling the tempo and dictating range. With her Olympic pedigree, superior timing, and ring IQ, she’ll be ready for Daniels’ aggression. If things remain competitive heading into the championship rounds, expect Shields to shift gears—upping her output, landing the cleaner shots, and closing strong to leave no doubt on the judges’ scorecards.
This won’t be a cakewalk for either woman. Daniels is coming to fight, and Shields knows she has to make a statement now that boxing is once again her sole focus. Expect a clash of styles that builds in intensity as the rounds progress. Daniels will leave it all in the ring—but Claressa Shields will find another gear when it matters most and emerge victorious, extending her perfect record to 17-0.
Pick: Claressa Shields 1.04 | Dafabet
