Claressa Shields Stuns Fans: Unbeaten ‘GWOAT’ Confirms Blockbuster Title Fight—Date, Opponent, How to Watch

Claressa Shields’ summer showcase is now set in stone, and the stakes keep getting bigger. The undefeated Flint, Michigan superstar (16-0, 3 KOs) returns to Little Caesars Arena on 26 July for the first defense of the undisputed women’s heavyweight championship against New Zealand’s two-division titleholder Lani “Smiling Assassin” Daniels (11-2-2, 1 KO). Why this fight matters • First undisputed heavyweight defense: Shields became the first three-weight four-belt champion in boxing history after out-pointing Danielle Perkins in February. • Hometown buzz: promoters Salita Promotions expect a sell-out 19,000-seat crowd and a star-studded walk-out featuring rapper Rick Ross. • Activity spike: after years of one-fight seasons, “T-Rex” has already boxed once in 2025 and insists a second—or even third—appearance before New Year’s Eve is “the dream year.” Stylistic snapshot Shields’ blend of Olympic-level footwork and newfound heavyweight power produced back-to-back knockdowns in her two bouts at the weight. Daniels, the former IBF heavyweight queen now reigning at light-heavyweight, brings a seven-fight win streak and an aggressive south-paw jab that could force Shields to trade more than usual. Laila Ali talk reignites mega-fight chatter Shields’ dominance has inevitably revived comparisons with retired legend Laila Ali, and the Hall-of-Famer stoked the flames by naming her price—“$15 million to $20 million”—for a comeback showdown. Saudi boxing power-broker Turki Alalshikh, fresh off bankrolling crossover spectacles, looms as the one figure who could bankroll the generational clash. While Shields focuses on Daniels, insiders say preliminary feelers have already been sent to gauge Ali’s true interest once the Detroit date is done. What’s next if Shields wins • Shadasia Green grudge match: Green’s recent $250k bonus knockout and public call-out drew a quick social-media response from Shields, hinting that a super-middleweight meet-in-the-middle bout is on the table for Q4. • Historic activity: two more fights in 2025 would give Shields her busiest calendar year since turning pro and further cement her claim as women’s boxing’s pound-for-pound No. 1. • Heavyweight legacy: a decisive victory keeps the door open for unification with WBA mandatory contenders or a lucrative stadium event in the Middle East. How to watch The July 26 card streams live globally on DAZN, with U.S. undercard action starting 6 p.m. ET. Tickets are on sale via 313 Presents and Ticketmaster, ranging from $39 to floor-seat VIP experiences that include meet-and-greets with Shields and Detroit sports legends. SEO takeaway Fans searching for “Claressa Shields vs Lani Daniels tickets,” “Claressa Shields heavyweight title defense,” and “Laila Ali vs Claressa Shields rumors” will find Detroit’s blockbuster bout and the potential super-fight narrative converging right here—cementing Shields’ position at the center of every marquee women’s boxing headline this summer.