<\/p>\n
\nClaressa Shields takes on Lani Daniels in Detroit.
\nPhoto: \u00a9 DAZN 2025\n<\/p>\n
New Zealand boxer Lani Daniels has fallen short in her bid to become the undisputed women’s world heavyweight champion.<\/p>\n
Daniels lost to Claressa Shields by unanimous decision, with the American retaining her four title belts in Detroit.<\/p>\n
Shields outclassed the New Zealander throughout much of the contest, with Daniels not really challenging the champion until the later stages.<\/p>\n
The American’s dominance grew as the fight went on and she landed some clean shots in the middle rounds as 37-year-old Daniels tired.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\nLani Daniels and Claressa Shields.
\nPhoto: Frank Balluff\n<\/p>\n
Daniels lifted her performance and traded punches with Shields in the eighth round, but the American was never really tested as she improved her record to 17-0.<\/p>\n
Shields said she expected Daniels to come out firing and was surprised the New Zealander started slowly.<\/p>\n
“I thought she wanted to fight, but she didn’t really engage until the last three rounds,” Shields told DAZN.<\/p>\n
“She was very tough and tricky toward the end, but I know I won every round.”<\/p>\n
Shields became a five-weight world champion when she moved up to heavyweight earlier this year and beat Danielle Perkins to unify the division.<\/p>\n
The American is a three-weight undisputed champion, having previously held all four belts at middleweight and light-middleweight.<\/p>\n
Shields is expected to step away from the heavyweight division and move back down in weight, but she doesn’t care who she fights next.<\/p>\n
“Anybody can get it,” Shields said. “I want to make the biggest fights and the best fights.”<\/p>\n