Lani Daniels fears Claressa Shields – but she is ready to embrace that fear.
Daniels, 11-2-2 (1 KOs), is a 36-year-old from Pipiwai, New Zealand, who owns the IBF light heavyweight title. She brings a seven-fight win streak into her challenge of Shields for the undisputed heavyweight championship on July 26 at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. When asked, Daniels says she never thought she’d fight Shields.
John Conway, Daniels’ trainer, explained why she will win the bout.
“Lani fears Claressa, but she is about facing her fears and accomplishing the win,” Conway told BoxingScene. “She [Shields] is by far the best women’s boxer out there, but we want to fight the best. That is what we are preparing for.
“If anyone doesn’t admit or recognize that they are fearful when fighting a great fighter, they are just lying to themselves,” Conway said. “We accept what is coming ahead, and that is part of the reason we will win the fight.”
Daniels comes from a Muay Thai kickboxing background. They believe the different angles and speeds of her punches will lead to victory. The fighter-coach duo traveled from New Zealand to Detroit for a two-hour press conference before heading back home for training camp. They are planning on arriving 10 days before the bout to acclimate to the time difference.
“This is an opportunity of a lifetime,” Daniels told BoxingScene. “I am honored to be here and living the American dream.”
Shields, 16-0 (3 KOs), is a 30-year-old from Flint, Michigan, who is inevitably a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Heavyweight is her third division as undisputed champion, and she has fought the best of her era.
Daniels is looking to do the impossible: beat her.
“She fights not for money, because she has none, but for the people in her community, her family, and friends,” Conway said. “We are very happy with the organizers and promoters surrounding Claressa, and for the rematch we will expect to work with them again.”