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Claressa Shields Dominates Daniels, Is Ali Next?

Originally posted on Dice City Sports | By Robert LaMar | Last updated Jul 27, 2025 9:22 AM ET

Claressa Shields once again proved why she’s called “The GWOAT” (Greatest Woman of All Time). With her unanimous decision win over Lani Daniels, Shields improved to 17-0 (3 KOs) and retained her status as the undisputed women’s middleweight champion not heavyweight in front of a raucous hometown crowd at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

Daniels offered a tricky, awkward challenge with her movement and durability, but Shields controlled the pace from the outset. She peppered Daniels with combinations, dominated in exchanges, and showcased her elite ring IQ throughout the fight. While she couldn’t score a stoppage, her volume, accuracy, and control left no doubt. That shift in the fight’s rhythm was exactly what Claressa Shields needed to assert her dominance and it came as a direct result of her dedicated body work.

Claressa Shields threw hands for 10 rounds #ShieldsDaniels

(via @DAZNBoxing) pic.twitter.com/UNxycEQgoU

— All the Smoke Boxing (@atsboxing) July 27, 2025

By investing early in body shots, Shields methodically wore down Lani Daniels, disrupting her ability to move and box defensively on the outside, which is where Daniels is most comfortable. The tactic forced Daniels into trading in the pocket, where Shields had the clear edge in speed, volume, and accuracy. This was a classic demonstration of elite-level ring IQ from Shields taking away an opponent’s legs so the later rounds become less about chasing and more about imposing will. Once Daniels stopped circling and stood her ground, Shields walked her down and outclassed her with sharp combinations, clean counters, and superior footwork in close quarters.

It wasn’t a knockout, but it was a tactically dominant win. The kind that further strengthens Shields’ argument as the most complete female boxer in the sport today. The body attack set the table and the later rounds served the feast.

Dream match with Ali next?

With Shields being victorious, do we finally get the Laila Ali fight to happen? Ali said that she needed 15 million to consider the fight. Shields said that she was able to secure that money to make it happen. Now it’s on Ali to see if she’s really serious to come out of retirement and fight the self proclaimed GWOAT.

“I’m going to stay at heavyweight and hopefully get the big fights with Franchon Crews, Che Kenneally. I want to fight Laila Ali,” Shields said. “We put up the $15 million for the fight and we ain’t heard nothing back yet.

This article first appeared on Dice City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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