CLARESSA Shields walked out of Detroit with the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles around her waist following a dominant 10-round points victory over Lani Daniels. The self-proclaimed ‘GWOAT’ of the female code remains an undisputed queen, although true challenges still elude her.
Canadian judge Pasquale Procopio gave Shields every round, winning 100-90. Don Trella and Gerard White both awarded the New Zealander a session, totalling 99-91. Despite drawing an outstanding crowd to the Little Caesars Arena, there was little clean toe-to-toe action for them to enjoy.
Daniels spent the early rounds surviving and skirting the perimeter of the ring as Shields played to the crowd, dancing, goading and throwing the occasional wild swing. Most were evaded by Daniels, who offered little in return.
Strangely, whenever Daniels committed to her shots, she managed to land with both hands in sparse measures. Shields was always boxing within herself as the 20-minute affair slugged by.
Improving to 17-0 (3 KOs), it’s hard to see where the popular pugilist goes from here, as challenges are few and far between. The climb up in weight was a novelty move that has garnered interest. Nobody can touch her, however.
Certainly not Daniels, who is now 11-3-2 (1 KO), boxing for the first time outside of her native New Zealand, ending a seven-fight winning streak.
