Claressa Shields Set to Defend Heavyweight Title Against Lani Daniels

Undefeated boxing champion Claressa Shields, who proudly calls herself the “G.W.O.A.T.” Greatest Woman of All Time, will return to the ring on July 26 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, where she’ll face New Zealand’s Lani Daniels in a highly anticipated heavyweight title fight.

The matchup marks Shields’ comeback following a brief suspension earlier this year after she tested positive for marijuana following her February bout against Danielle Perkins. The Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission (MUCC) later cleared Claressa Shields, lifting the suspension after a review.

Now, the Flint native is ready to defend her spotless professional record on home turf.

How to Watch the Fight

Fans around the world can tune into the main card and undercard bouts through DAZN, which will stream the full lineup in over 200 countries. Current subscribers can access the event at no extra cost, while new viewers can sign up for the service on the DAZN website.

The fight card kicks off with preliminary matches at 6 p.m. ET, with main event coverage beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

July 26 Fight Card Highlights:

• Claressa Shields vs. Lani Daniels – Heavyweight, for the Undisputed Title
• Tony Harrison vs. Edward Diaz – Middleweight
• Pryce Taylor vs. Robert Simms – Heavyweight
• Samantha Worthington vs. Victoire Piteau – Super Lightweight, WBA Interim Title
• Caroline Veyre vs. Licia Boudersa – Featherweight

Daniels enters the fight with a record of 11 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws, but she’ll face a formidable opponent in Shields, whose confidence and record (undefeated across multiple weight divisions) have made her one of the most dominant forces in women’s boxing.

Beyond the ring, Shields has also reignited her ongoing public feud with retired boxing legend Laila Ali, a conversation that continues to stir debate in the boxing world.

Ali, daughter of the late Muhammad Ali and widely considered one of the sport’s greatest female fighters, retired in 2007 with a perfect 24–0 record, including 21 knockouts. Despite her absence from the ring for nearly two decades, she remains a towering figure in the sport’s history.

Claressa Shields, 30, has long declared herself the true heir to the “G.O.A.T.” title, much to the chagrin of some fans and critics who still hold Ali in higher esteem. The two have traded barbs in interviews and online for years, but Shields recently escalated the challenge—publicly offering Ali $15 million to come out of retirement for a head-to-head match.

“I’ve secured $15 million for her,” Shields told TMZ Sports. “The offer is real. Step in the ring.”

Ali, now 47, has not responded and previously stated she would only consider returning to boxing for $15 to $20 million, citing the physical toll of the sport and the time that has passed since her last fight.