5 Reasons Why Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Was A Masterclass In Dominance And What It Means For The GWOAT's Future

The boxing world witnessed a powerful display of skill and dominance on July 26, 2025, as Claressa "T-Rex" Shields, widely regarded as the GWOAT (Greatest Woman Of All Time), stepped into the ring to defend her Undisputed Heavyweight World Championship against New Zealand's Lani Daniels. This high-stakes bout, held in Shields' hometown of Detroit, Michigan, was a clinical performance that solidified her status as the sport's premier fighter, leading to a unanimous decision victory and a major post-fight announcement that has sent shockwaves through the industry.

The fight was a strategic chess match where Shields' speed, precision, and ring IQ were on full display, ultimately proving too much for the courageous challenger. Daniels, who entered the bout on a seven-fight win streak, showed grit and resilience, but she struggled to match the relentless pressure and calculated exchanges of the undisputed champion. The victory was a clear-cut one, with the judges' scorecards reflecting a near-perfect performance from the two-time Olympic gold medalist.

Complete Fighter Profile: Claressa Shields and Lani Daniels

To fully appreciate the magnitude of this undisputed heavyweight clash, it is essential to understand the pedigree of the two athletes involved. Claressa Shields is a historic figure in the sport, while Lani Daniels is a tough, decorated champion from the Southern Hemisphere.

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Claressa 'T-Rex' Shields

• Full Name: Claressa Maria Shields
• Nickname: T-Rex, GWOAT (Greatest Woman Of All Time)
• Nationality: American
• Born: March 17, 1995 (Flint, Michigan, USA)
• Professional Record: 16 Wins (3 KOs), 0 Losses, 0 Draws
• Amateur Highlights: 2x Olympic Gold Medalist (London 2012, Rio 2016)
• Major Titles: First boxer in the four-belt era (male or female) to be an undisputed champion in two weight divisions. First American boxer (male or female) to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals. Undisputed Champion in three weight divisions (Middleweight, Light Middleweight, Heavyweight).
• Career Span: Professional debut in 2016.

Lani 'Te Arani Moana' Daniels

• Full Name: Te Arani Moana Daniels
• Nationality: New Zealander (Māori descent)
• Born: July 25, 1988 (Northland, New Zealand)
• Professional Record: Approximately 10 Wins, 2 Losses, 2 Draws (Record subject to slight variation depending on source)
• Major Titles: IBF Light Heavyweight Champion (prior to the Shields fight).
• Career Span: Professional debut in 2017.
• Background: Known for her toughness and willingness to press the action, she entered the fight with a respectable win streak, making her a credible challenger for the undisputed crown.

The Scorecards and The Undisputed Heavyweight Defense Breakdown

The fight, contested for the Undisputed Heavyweight World Championship (WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO, and WBF titles), was a showcase of Claressa Shields’ technical superiority. Despite Lani Daniels’ heart and willingness to engage, especially in the middle rounds, Shields was simply on another level. The official results cemented her dominance.

1. Total Dominance Reflected in the Scorecards

The final decision was a Unanimous Decision (UD) in favor of Claressa Shields after 10 rounds. The judges' scores highlighted the one-sided nature of the contest: 100-90, 99-91, and 99-91. A 100-90 score means one judge believed Shields won every single round, a rare feat in a championship bout. Shields consistently outlanded Daniels in every round, demonstrating disciplined defense and calculated offensive output, effectively neutralizing any late pressure from the New Zealand challenger.

2. Shields’ Speed vs. Daniels’ Pressure

Lani Daniels’ strategy was clear: to press forward and try to make the fight a gritty, inside battle, hoping to negate Shields’ superior hand speed and footwork. While Daniels was tough and courageous, Shields’ ring IQ allowed her to manage the distance perfectly. She used sharp jabs and quick combinations to score points, then utilized her elite footwork to pivot out of danger, ensuring Daniels’ forward movement was met with clean, scoring shots rather than a messy brawl. This mastery of distance and timing was the key to the victory.

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The Shocking Post-Fight Announcement and Future Super Fights

Following her decisive victory at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Claressa Shields made two major announcements that immediately shifted the landscape of women's boxing and combat sports.

3. The Free Agent Status Bombshell

In her post-fight interview, Shields revealed that her contract had expired, making her an unrestricted free agent. This is a massive development for the "GWOAT," as she now has the power to negotiate with any promotion—whether it be for boxing or her parallel career in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). This free agent status opens the door to the biggest possible paydays and the most compelling matchups in the sport.

4. The Laila Ali Superfight Call-Out

With her undisputed title defense successfully completed, Shields immediately turned her attention to the one name that has always loomed large: Laila Ali. Shields has long expressed a desire for a superfight against the undefeated former champion and daughter of the legendary Muhammad Ali. While Ali is retired, Shields' continued dominance and new free-agent status could create the necessary hype and financial incentive to bring the generational matchup to fruition, a fight that would undoubtedly be the biggest in the history of women's boxing.

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5. The Savannah Marshall Rematch Entity

While the Laila Ali fight remains a dream for many, a more immediate and compelling boxing entity is the rematch with long-time rival Savannah Marshall. Marshall is the only person to have ever defeated Shields, doing so during their amateur careers. Their first professional bout in 2022 was an instant classic, with Shields winning a unanimous decision to become the undisputed middleweight champion. With Shields now a free agent, the possibility of a lucrative and highly anticipated rematch—perhaps even at a catchweight or for another undisputed title—is a strong possibility that fans are demanding.

The Claressa Shields vs. Lani Daniels fight may have been a one-sided affair in terms of the scorecards, but it was a crucial event for the sport. It not only cemented Shields' legacy as a three-division undisputed champion but also set the stage for her next career move. Whether she chooses a lucrative MMA return, the generational superfight against Laila Ali, or a highly demanded rematch with Savannah Marshall, the GWOAT holds all the cards. The boxing world is now watching closely to see which path the undisputed champion will choose next.