Claressa Shields vs. Perkins: Odds, Live Stream and KO, Judges' Scorecards Prediction

Alex BallentineFebruary 2, 2025

Claressa Shields vs. Perkins: Odds, Live Stream and KO, Judges' Scorecards Prediction

0 of 2

    Claressa Shields
    Claressa ShieldsGregory Shamus/Getty Images

    The "GWOAT" is back. Claressa Shields is set to make her first appearance of 2025 with a heavyweight championship bout against Danielle Perkins in her hometown of Flint, Michigan on Sunday night.

    Shields continues to collect championship belts just about every time she steps foot in the ring. This time she will be after the vacant WBO and IBF heavyweight titles. She already holds the WBC belt, but they consider anything over 168 pounds to be heavyweight.

    Shields would techincally hold six different world titles at the same time with a win as the WBA and WBC middleweight champion; WBO light heavyweight champion and possible WBO, IBF and WBC undisputed heavyweight champion.

    Perkins comes into the bout looking to play spoiler. The 42-year-old will be the biggest opponent that Shields has seen in the ring, but is still considered to be a massive underdog.

    Here's a look at the key details for the fight along with a preview and prediction.

Fight Odds, Schedule and Scorecard Prediction

1 of 2

    Claressa Shields
    Claressa ShieldsTerrell Groggins/Getty Images

    When: Sunday, February 2 at 7:30 p.m. ET (main event ring walks expected around 11 p.m. ET)

    Where: Dort Financial Center, Flint, Michigan

    Live Stream: DAZN

    Tickets: Vivid Seats

    Odds: Shields -2500 ($2500 bet wins $100); Perkins +1100 ($100 bet wins $1,100)

    Prediction: Shields via fifth-round knockout

Fight Preview

2 of 2

    Claressa Shields
    Claressa ShieldsGregory Shamus/Getty Images

    The odds pretty much tell the story with this one. The biggest narratives surrounding this fight read more like a celebration of Claressa Shields and her talent then an actual prizefight.

    Perkins has a 5-0 professional record, but hasn't seen anything close to what she'll see on Sunday night. Shields isn't considered the top pound-for-pound fighter in women's boxing for nothing.

    Shields has breezed through multiple weight classes while balancing an MMA career. The scary thing for the rest of women's boxing is that Shields might actually be better as she continues to fight heavier opponents.

    "I'm way more comfortable fighting at heavyweight than I am at 154 pounds,'' Shields said, per Josh Peter of USA Today. "I always felt very, very strong there (at 168 pounds). Even though I wasn't getting the knockouts, I was still beating girls up pretty bad. … But I've seen a huge difference in my power from when I fought at 154 and now that I'm fighting at heavyweight.''

    The one criticism that you can throw at Shields is that she doesn't have a high knockout rate. To this point 12 of her 15 professional wins have come by decision. Granted, most of them are lopsided decisions.

    However, her heavyweight title fight against Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse was a second-round TKO victory for Shields. It was her first time moving up after fighting a lot of her career at 154 pounds.

    There is a little bit of uncharted territory in this matchup. Perkins weiged in at 177.2 pounds and will have a height, reach and weight advnatge over the champion. That being said, it's still highly unlikely Perkins turns this into a fight.

    The 42-year-old hasn't seen anything remotely like she will see on Sunday night. Shields' physical tools and skills are easily enough to cover for any size discrepancy between the two combatants.

    Expect Shields to establish herself as the much better fighter early and get to work on showing that she can finish fights when she doesn't have to drain herself on the scale.


    Gambling problem? Call (877-8-HOPENY) or text HOPENY (467369).

    If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visiting ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), visiting OPGR.org (OR), or calling/texting TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).

    Odds and lines subject to change. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.

X