Local 4’s Isaiah Hall provides analysis of each broadcast bout set for the Claressa Shields vs. Lani Daniels fight card taking place July 26 at Little Caesars Arena.
Claressa Shields(16-0,3 KOs) vs. Lani Daniels(11-2, 1KO)
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Shields, also known as the GWOAT (Greatest Woman of All Time) will take on a fierce competitor in Daniels. This matchup is a boxer-puncher vs pressure fighter with Shields being the boxer puncher and Daniels the pressure fighter. Shields virtually has no weaknesses in her style as she’s able to box from close or long range, counterpunch and brawl while delivering an entertaining performance. All of Shields’ wins are via unanimous decision or stoppage which proves her dominance. Shields has displayed devastating punching power and speed at heavyweight, knocking out Lepage-Joanisse in two rounds and sending the towering Danielle Perkins to the canvas. None of Shields’ opponents can rival her hand speed and that will be apparent in this fight. Shields has the advantage in height, reach, speed, power and experience.
In order to bridge the difference in class, Daniels will have to make this fight ugly. Daniels likes to evade punches as she creeps into close-range and unleashes hooks when she sees an opening. She may try to smother Shields’ offense on the inside but she must be aware of Shields’ power and speed otherwise she could end up on the canvas.
Tony Harrison(29-4-1, 21 KOs) vs. Edward Ulloa Diaz (15-6, 12KOs)
34-year-old Harrison is returning to the ring for the first time in two years to fight Edward Ulloa Diaz. In his prime, Harrison was an out-boxer with a fast jab and smooth footwork. His jab and ring generalship allows him to dictate the pace of the fight. The key to this fight is how sharp Harrison is on fight night. It may take him a while to shake off some rust but Harrison is still dangerous.
Diaz will have to make this fight ugly by getting in close-range and unleashing combinations that just wear Harrison down. He could try to take the fight into the later rounds in hopes that Harrison tires over time. Diaz must be aware of Harrison’s counter-punching when trying to get close.
Pryce Taylor(8-0, 6KOs) vs. Robert Simms (12-4-1, 3KOs)
Salita Promotions’ prized heavyweight prospect, Pryce Taylor will face Saginaw’s Robert Simms in an 8-round bout. Taylor has great punching power as he’s coming off four straight stoppage victories. As an amateur, Taylor was a two-time New York Golden Gloves Champion while Simms had a very short amateur career before turning professional. Taylor stands at a staggering 6-feet-4 inches while Simms is just 5-feet-11.
Simms is a deceptively solid boxer for his size and his style is somewhat awkward but the difference in class may show up in this fight. If Simms isn’t mindful of his defense, then he could end up on the canvas.
Samantha Worthington (11-0, 7KOs) vs. Victoire Piteau (14-2, 2KOs)
Worthington will face Piteau in a 10-round bout for the WBA Super Lightweight World Interim Title. Worthington’s nickname is “The Heat” and it’s fitting because that’s what she brings in every fight. Worthington overwhelms her opponents with suffocating punch volume, forward pressure and activity. She almost never takes a step backwards which looks good to the judges if the fight goes the distance. A win against Piteau puts her one step closer to a highly anticipated showdown with current Undisputed Super Lightweight Champion, Katie Taylor.
Piteau is a solid boxer puncher who also has a lot of heart but she will have to find a way to slow down Worthington’s pressure. Piteau needs to land something significant to gain Worthington’s respect and make her slow down the forward pressure.
Caroline Veyre (9-1, 0KOs) vs. Licia Boudersa (24-3-2, 4KOs)
Veyre and Boudersa will open the DAZN broadcast with a 10-round bout for the WBC Silver Featherweight Title and WBC World Title Eliminator. Veyre is a textbook out-boxer who utilizes long-range punches, footwork and hand speed to hit and not get hit. Over her last two fights Veyre has easily controlled her opponents in the ring. She dominated Carmen Vargas earlier this year at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, MI.
Veyre is the more talented fighter but Boudersa has more experience as a pro. A fighter can bridge the talent gap with experience and if Boudersa gets comfortable in this fight, she could pull off an upset.