Claressa Shields introduced at the moment that she’ll defend her heavyweight titles on July twenty sixth in opposition to IBF mild heavyweight champ Lani Daniels in Detroit, Michigan.
Shields (16-0, 3 KO) claimed “undisputed” heavyweight glory by stopping Danielle Perkins in February, a feat offset by the truth that the IBF belt had been vacant for over a yr and the WBO belt straight-up didn’t exist beforehand. She subsequently examined optimistic for marijuana, however discovered herself cleared after the Michigan fee admitted to a “procedural error” within the assortment course of.
Not {that a} respectable take a look at failure would have mirrored poorly on her. Silly that it’s nonetheless on the banned substance listing in any respect.
New Zealand’s Daniels (11-2-2, 1 KO) began her profession 4-2-2 earlier than a 7-0 run noticed her declare titles at each heavyweight and light-weight heavyweight. Factor is, neither of these titles existed earlier than Daniels received them, so she will get an asterisk as effectively.
Nonetheless, she’s about as credible an opponent as Shields can get at this level exterior of a Savannah Marshall rematch or Shadasia Inexperienced battle. Simply not lots of energetic feminine fighters each that large and that good.
