Undisputed Heavyweight World Champion Claressa Shields is teaming up with nine-year-old actor and music artist King Moore to give 1,000 local children free admission to her fight against Lani Daniels on July 26.
On fight night at Little Caesar’s Arena, Moore’s Kicks 2 Grow Foundation will partner with Shields and her Shields Community Outreach Program, along with SMT Financial Partners (SMT) to deliver a “Follow Your Dreams” tribute which sends a message of hope, resilience and purpose aimed at inspiring young minds to believe in the impossible.
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Moore, a recent contestant on ‘America’s Got Talent,’ will lead an arena-wide tribute, performing his song “Follow Your Dreams” with the kids standing and lights raised.
A survivor of hardships and poverty throughout her youth, Shields continues to shine light on the next generation and community programs throughout her home state of Michigan.
“Follow Your Dreams” has targeted youth programs throughout Detroit including Downtown Boxing Gym Kids Program, Kronk/Emanuel Steward Champions Of Tomorrow, Police & Firefighters Youth Program, Motor City Wolverines, Arthur Eddy Academy and Detroit-area schools and youth organizations.
“I know what it’s like to grow up with big dreams and face tough challenges,” said Shields. “That’s why it means so much to me to partner with King Moore and SMT Financial Partners to show Detroit’s youth that anything is possible. When you believe in yourself and never give up, you can achieve greatness—no matter where you start. I want every kid in that arena to feel seen, supported, and inspired to chase their dreams just like I did.”
“Kids make up 50% of the population but we’re 100% of the future,” said Moore. “I want the 1,000 kids at Little Caesars Arena to know if they follow their dreams, nothing is impossible!”
“When a child sees a champion, they believe they can be one,” said SMT CEO DJ Selph. “I’m proud of the message that these two champions – Claressa Shields and King Moore – are providing to our kids.”
Shields will return home on July 26, when she puts her Undisputed Heavyweight World Championship on the line in the main event against the reigning IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion from New Zealand, Lani Daniels (11-2-2, 1 KO).
In February, Shields became the first woman ever to claim the Undisputed Heavyweight World Championship and the first boxer, male or female, to achieve undisputed status in three weight divisions.
Recently signed to Salita Promotions, Daniels made history of her own when she became the first New Zealand-born fighter to win two world titles, and the first to win world titles in two different divisions when she defeated Desley Robinson in 2023.
Shields vs. Daniels will air live on DAZN.