Claressa Shields and Lani Daniels came face-to-face at a press conference ahead of their bout for the undisputed women’s heavyweight world championship which takes place on July 26, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI.
On June 16, Shields and Daniels spoke and faced off for the first time in front of an audience of media and kids from Downtown Boxing Gym.
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Flint native Shields will put her Undisputed Heavyweight World Championship on the line on July 26 at Little Caesars Arena against reigning Light Heavyweight World Champion from New Zealand, Daniels.
The fight card is expected to see Little Caesar’s Arena’s biggest turnout for a boxing event.
“We’re actually opening up more seats because we know that we’re going to have a bigger house,” said Shields in an interview after the press conference. “I did 12,000 here last year. The goal this time to do is to do 19,000 and I believe that we’re going to do that. The way that ticket sales are going now, and we got six more weeks to promote and everything, I’m just really excited. I’m happy that LCA keeps giving me the opportunity to bless this arena.“
Shields’ first impression of Daniels was the size difference.
“She’s tiny but she looks like she’s in good shape.” said Shields. “I can’t feel bad for these girls. I think she’s going to bring a tough fight but I think I’m just too much for all these girls.”
Shields is the most decorated women’s boxer in history yet she feels that she isn’t recognized to the level she deserves. A title defense for Shields would further add to her extensive list of accolades.
“It may look like I’m getting recognized by all these things, but it’s something that I’m not but it’s nothing I can do about that,” said Shields. It doesn’t take away from my accomplishments. I am the most accomplished female athlete in the world regardless of any award or whatever the case may be. When you put up my accolades versus anybody’s accolades, my accolades win.”
Daniels showed respect for Shields and expressed gratitude for the opportunity but she and her trainer, John Conway hinted that this match is going to be a high-action brawl.
“We’re going to win this fight because we’re coming at you(Shields) with different techniques,” said Conway. “I have a Muay Thai background so our punches will have different timing, our punches will be coming from different angles.”
“We’re not going to box you, we’re going to fight you in a Muay Thai style,” said Conway.
“I’m preparing the best that I can to give a mean fight, and I know it’s going to be an entertaining one and the only way I’m going home is on a stretcher,” said Daniels.
Claressa Shields’ promoter Dmitriy Salita, manager Mark Taffet, 313 Presents President Howard Handler and rapper Papoose also spoke at the press conference.
Tickets for the event at Little Caesars Arena are on sale now and can be purchased online on Ticketmaster’s website or in-person at The XFINITY Box Office at Little Caesars Arena.
Full Press Conference