The boxing world will undoubtedly turn its attention to the highly anticipated February 1 showdown between David Benavidez and David Morrell. But the adrenaline won’t subside for long. The very next day, another thrilling event will unfold at Flint, Michigan’s Dort Financial Center, where hometown hero and world champion Claressa Shields will attempt to secure her third undisputed title – a feat that, if successful, will cement her place in boxing history. However, the path ahead is far from straightforward.

In the opposite corner, Shields will face the formidable Danielle Perkins, setting up an intriguing clash of styles and experience. Shields, who ventured into the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions last year, will defend her WBC heavyweight title in a unique fight. What makes this bout particularly compelling is the context: of the three remaining titles required to declare an undisputed champion in the women’s heavyweight division, two (IBF and WBO) are currently vacant, while the third (WBA) has never been contested. Before diving deeper into this historic matchup, let’s explore how boxing’s first two-division undisputed champion measures up against her 42-year-old rival.

Predicting Claressa Shields vs. Danielle Perkins: Who has better stats and record?

To evaluate this bout, let’s examine the fighters’ records and stats. Starting with Claressa Shields, the self-proclaimed ‘GWOAT’ (Greatest Woman of All Time), her accolades speak volumes. With a stellar amateur career, Shields, who will turn 30 on March 17, has won multiple gold medals at the Olympics and world championships. She turned professional on November 19, 2016, and within a year, claimed her first world titles – the WBC and IBF (inaugural) super middleweight championships.

Subsequently, she dropped down to the middleweight division. On April 13, 2019, she defeated Christina Hammer and became an undisputed champion for the first time. Two years later, on March 5, 2021, she defeated Marie-Eve Dicaire to secure all four belts in the light middleweight division. Shields then returned to middleweight, where her victory over Savannah Marshall saw her reclaim four-belt champion status.

Always pushing her boundaries, Shields stepped into the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions last year. She claimed the WBC and WBF heavyweight titles, as well as the vacant WBO light heavyweight belt, by knocking out Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse. Over the last eight years, Shields has maintained a perfect record of 15-0. However, only three of those wins came via knockout, giving her a knockout-to-win rate of 20%.

Danielle Perkins, while less experienced than Shields, has notable achievements of her own. Her gold-medal performance at the 2019 Ulan-Ude World Championships followed a bronze at the New Delhi edition the year before. Perkins transitioned to the professional ranks in 2020. Since then, she has competed in five professional bouts. Winning all of them, including two by knockout, gives her a 40% knockout-to-win rate.

Shields and Perkins: Height, weight, reach comparison, and more

In terms of physicality, Danielle Perkins holds a clear advantage. Standing at 6 feet (183 centimeters) tall with a 72-inch (183 centimeters) reach, Perkins towers over the 5’8″ (173 centimeters) Shields, whose reach is 68 inches (173 centimeters). During her most recent fight against Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse, Shields weighed in at 174.8 pounds. Perkins, on the other hand, weighed approximately 175.5 pounds in her fight against Scotland’s Christianne Fahey. Both fighters are expected to weigh in at similar numbers for this showdown.

Shields and Perkins: Who has the edge?

The odds heavily favor Claressa Shields, with an overwhelming 91% chance of victory. Danielle Perkins, meanwhile, faces long odds with only a 9% chance of success. Many experts predict that Shields’ superior skills, experience, and exposure will be too much for the Brooklyn-born southpaw to handle. Additionally, one has to reckon that Shields will compete in front of her home crowd.

Perkins also faces another major challenge: ring rust. After her March 5, 2021, rematch against Monika Harrison, Perkins took a nearly three-year hiatus before returning to action on March 1, 2024. In professional boxing, such an extended absence can severely impact a fighter’s sharpness and competitiveness. The significant age difference could also be a concern.

Nevertheless, Perkins deserves credit for her courage and determination. She’s stepping in against one of the sport’s all-time greats. Shields is a generational talent, and a victory in this bout would solidify her legacy as the first boxer—male or female—to achieve undisputed champion status in three different weight divisions.

While some may question the matchmaking, it’s important to acknowledge Shields’ willingness to move through multiple weight classes in pursuit of greatness. Her ambition sets an inspiring example for other women to follow. Whether in the cage or the ring, Shields continues to lead the way. Her journey often takes her beyond familiar territories and even prompts comparisons with her male counterparts. But there’s no denying that Claressa Shields is carving her name as one of boxing’s all-time greats.

Do you think Danielle Perkins has what it takes to pull off a major upset against a champion like Claressa Shields? Or is this another stepping stone in Shields’ historic career?