Claressa Shields and Lani Daniels Battle for Heavyweight Supremacy and More News 

 

By David A. Avila

The journey of conquest continues for Claressa Shields.

After conquering North America, Europe, and South America the undisputed champion of several weight classes targets the so-called best of the New Zealand and Australian region.

Shields (16-0, 3 Kos) and her army of support invite New Zealand’s Lani “The Smiling Assassin” Daniels (11-2-2, 2 Kos) on Saturday July 26, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. They will determine the best above 175 pounds and more. DAZN will stream the Salita Promotions card.

“I am super excited to be fighting against another world champion in Lani Daniels. She’s very confident, she’s from New Zealand, she wants the smoke, and she and her team are confident that they can come over here and get the upset,” said Shields back in May.

For the past nine years Shields has marched and conquered all opposition like a modern day General William Tecumseh Sherman. But, way out in the South Pacific, people were chirping and barking via social media about giving one of their combatants a chance.

“I don’t know how good Lani Daniels is. I’ve seen film, and she’s pretty durable. She’s very, very tough,” Shields said.

You never know what to expect from New Zealand and Australia.

Just recently Cherneka “Sugar Neetz” Johnson became unified bantamweight champion. And before that Skye Nicolson held a version of the lightweight title and Ebanie Bridges the bantamweight title.

Despite the immense distance in travel, that region has always produced talent in boxing for decades.

Daniels, 37, has fought and beaten everyone in her region. She picked up the IBF heavyweight title two years ago and defended it three times. She cleaned out her region and via social media approached Shields for a match.

After back-and-forth correspondence a match was made.

Daniels has never fought outside of her region. Her visit to Detroit last month for the press conference was the first time on American shores. Now she will be fighting the best of the best.

“We’re going into foreign territory we don’t know what were going into,” said a smiling Daniels during an interview on social media.

Daniels stands around five-foot, seven inches tall and expressed surprise at Shields size.

“I was trying to make myself look bigger and just enjoy it,” said Daniels when she faced-off with Shields for a photo op. “I was surprised she was so huge and she was surprised I was so little.”

Shield’s march to conquest continues.

Mark Taffet, the manager of Shields, said the move to heavyweight along with the motion picture about her life called “The Fire Inside” has created opportunities and visibility for the two-time Olympic gold medalist.

“Her brand has taken off,” said Taffet, the former HBO boxing guru. “We’re selling so well. The movie not only gave her exposure but told people her story that they didn’t know about. They want to watch her fight.”

Though Daniels revels in this moment it also excites her to know she is facing the best of the best. She also enjoys the banter and hype that goes along with a championship fight in America.

“It gives me a little giggle,” said Daniels adding one important factor. “I don’t want to be their highlight reel.”

A heavyweight fight is about to take place in Detroit, Michigan home of the late great heavyweight champion Joe Louis. It’s also home to Shields who has been filling up the arena with fans expecting her to continue conquering.

“I don’t know how good Lani Daniels is. I’ve seen film, and she’s pretty durable. She’s very, very tough. But after my last fight with Danielle Perkins, I know that I’m the toughest of them all,” said Shields who remains undefeated after nine years as a professional.

Daniels expects to face the best.

“I’m probably going to be hit the hardest I’ve ever been hit,” said Daniels. “We win fights because we work hard.”

Shields said she respects Daniels. She is a world champion. But, adds: “No woman can beat me in a fight.”

Will Shield’s march of conquest continue on Saturday?

 

IBF and IBO super welter

Oshae Jones (8-0) and Elia Carranza (11-1) meet 10 rounds for IBF and IBO world titles at the Tabernacle in Atlanta, Georgia on Friday July 25. DAZN will stream the fight.

Jones, 27, fights out of Toledo, Ohio and won an Olympic bronze medal in 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Last November, she defeated Femke Hermans for the IBF and IBO super welterweight titles. This will be her first defense.

Carranza, 34, fights out of Miami, Florida, and has fought some tough competition such as Natasha Spence, Chris Namus and Precious Harris-McCray to reach this point.

 

IBO champ

Nicola Hopewell (8-1) became the new IBO flyweight champ after beating France’s Marie Connan (7-4) by split decision in Sheffield, England

Hopewell, 33, fights out of Nottinghamshire and won by split decision.

Connan, 41, is originally from France but resides in London, England. She was making the first defense of the title she captured in April against Argentina’s Ayelen Granadino.

 

Mizuki Hiruta

WBO super flyweight world titlist Mizuki Hiruta will be defending the title against Mexico’s Naomy Cardenas on Friday Aug. 15, at Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, Calif. stated 360 Boxing Promotions.

Hiruta (8-0, 2 Kos) is making her third defense of the world title since capturing it on January 12, 2024. Her last defense came against Argentina’s Carla Merino whom she defeated by unanimous decision in Los Angeles.

Cardenas (9-0, 2 Kos) fights out of Chihuahua, Mexico and defeated Bree Howling last month in Florida by split decision in a bantamweight fight. This fight will be held at 115 pounds super flyweight division.

 

More Fight News

Argentina

Gabriela Alaniz (17-2) knocked out Daiana Ortiz (5-5-2) in the fifth round on Saturday July 19. The light flyweight match took place in Buenos Aires. Also, bantam Lucia Garcia (3-0) beat Jesica Lujan (1-2-2) in four; and flyweight Martina Doucet (1-0) beat Karen Almendra (1-2) in four.

Daniela Escasena (1-0) won in four over Adirana Alondra (0-2) on Saturday July 19. The super feather match was held in San Miguel de Tucaman. Also, super feathers Mayra Gomez (18-10-1) and Eliana Orecchia (5-16-4) fought to a split draw after four.

Carolina Ferrari (5-6-3) defeated Anabel Ortiz (34-9) by decision after six rounds onFriday July 18. The flyweight fight was held in Rio Gallegos.

 

Australia

Shanell Dargan (8-2-2) knocked out Kanokwan Wirunpat (4-3) in the first round on Saturday July 19. The super bantam match was held in Ballarat.

On Friday July 25, light heavies Che Kenneally (5-0) and Alrie Meleisee (6-2-1) meet 10 rounds at Southport. Also, lightweights Taylah Gentzen (6-1) and Nadia Flalhi (8-4) meet eight.

 

Colombia

On Friday July 25, super lights Francia Bravo (29-6-2) and Kenifer Garcia (2-0) meet six rounds at Cerete.

 

Fiji

Sera Bolatini (1-2) defeated Connie Chan (6-9) after eight rounds on Saturday July 19. The super welter match was held in Suva. Also, heavyweight Sherilyn Stevens (1-0) knocked out Elena Kili (0-1) in the second round.

 

France

On Saturday July 26, welters Emelie Sonvico (5-0) and Jordan Barker (9-3-1) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Uzes.

 

Germany

Omarah Taylor (5-0) defeated Erica Alvarez (8-13) in six rounds on Saturday July 19. The welterweight fight took place in Heidelberg.

On Saturday July 26, super welters Farina Roemling (5-1) and Rosa Marie Acosta (0-6-1) meet four rounds at Grimma.

 

Japan

Shiori Yotsumoto (2-0) beat Huijiao Chen (1-4) by decision after six rounds on Sunday July 20. The light fly fight was held in Wakayama.

On Sunday July 27, minimumweights Riyuna Yoshikawa (6-2-2) and Kanae Maehara (4-3-2) meet six rounds at Kobe.

 

Mexico

On Saturday July 26, atomweights Esneidy Rodriguez (9-0-1) and Wisuta Sririttidet (9-6) meet 10 rounds for the WBC world title at Veracruz. Also, minimumweights Brenda Balderas (7-8-1) and Norma Vazquez (4-17) meet 10 rounds.

 

Nigeria

Adeola Omowunmi (5-0) knocked out Mariam Joseph (0-7) in the second round on Friday July 18. The super bantam fight was held in Lagos.

 

Panama

Nataly Delgado (18-7-2) defeated Maribel Ramirez (15-12-4) by decision after 10 rounds on Friday July 18. The super flyweight fight took place in Panama City. Also, Eloisa Martinez (6-17-4) beat Yanissa Castrellon (4-4) by majority decision after six.

 

Slovakia

On Saturday July 26, bantams Klaudia Ferenczi (20-123-10) and Mariana Vojtkova (0-0

 

Spain

Fara El Bousairi (11-6) defeated Klaudia Ferenczi (20-123-10) by decision after six rounds on Saturday July 19. The flyweight match was held in Palma de Mallorca.

 

Tanzania

On Saturday July 26, bantams Sara Alex (6-1-1) and Stumai Muki (11-4) meet eight rounds at Kinondoni. Also, super bantams Debora Mwenda (2-1-1) and Asia Meshack (1-2) meet six rounds.

 

Thailand

On Saturday July 26, bantams Amonrat Mitsiriwat (2-0) and Wanasanan Onuch (7-4-2) meet six rounds at Bangkok. Also, light flies Lekaysha Woodbridge (0-0) and Phatcharaphon Kransakun (0-8-1) meet four.

 

United Kingdom

Nicola Hopewell (8-1) defeated Marie Connan (7-4) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday July 19. The IBO flyweight world title match took place in Sheffield, England.

On Saturday July 26, bantams Johanna Wonyou (11-0) and Mary Romero (11-8) meet eight rounds at London, England.

 

USA

Suzana Rodriguez (5-1) defeated Nadia Moreno (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday July 19. The welterweight fight took place in Indianapolis, Indiana.

On Friday July 25, super welterweights Oshae Jones (8-0) and Elia Carranza (11-1) meet 10 rounds for IBF and IBO world titles at Atlanta, Georgia.

On Saturday July 26, heavyweights Claressa Shields (16-0) and Lani Daniels (11-2-2) meet 10 rounds for the undisputed championship at Detroit, Michigan. DAZN will stream the Salita Promotions card. Also, super lights Samantha Worthington (11-0) and Victoire Piteau (14-2) meet 10 rounds; and featherweights Caroline Veyre (9-1) and Licia Boudersa (24-3-2) meet 10 rounds.