The quick-footed and powerful heavyweight, Danielle Perkins is about to face one of the biggest challenges of her career. In just a few hours, she’ll step into the ring against Claressa Shields, fighting for the IBF, WBC, WBF, and WBO women’s heavyweight titles. Since making her professional debut in August 2020, the 42-year-old has remained undefeated in five bouts. It includes two knockout victories—one against Princess Hairston in December 2020 and the other against Timea Nagy in March 2024. Despite being 42, Perkins is living up to her nickname, ‘Skippity Paps’, for her agility and lightning-fast reflexes.

While Danielle Perkins has already made a significant name for herself in the women’s heavyweight division, fans are just as curious about her personal life. Who is she outside the ring? We’ve dug a little deeper to answer some of those questions.

Is Danielle Perkins Married? Does She Have Kids?

When it comes to her personal life, Danielle Perkins has done an excellent job keeping things private. Unlike many public figures, Perkins has kept a tight lid on any details about her relationships or family life. As of now, there is no information available to suggest that she is married or in a public relationship. Furthermore, there have been no reports or evidence to suggest that she has any children.

Danielle Perkins: Background and Journey in Boxing

Born on August 30, 1982, in Brooklyn, New York, Danielle Perkins currently resides in Houston, Texas. Standing at 183 cm (6 feet) with a reach to match her height, Perkins is a formidable presence in the ring. Her southpaw stance provides her with a strategic advantage. How? Well.. most boxers are trained to tackle Orthodox opponents. So when they face someone like Danielle Perkins, her stance can throw them off guard. This unique style, coupled with her power punches, adds an element of surprise inside the ring. However, it didn’t come naturally to her.

Danielle Perkins’ journey to the boxing world wasn’t a traditional one. She was a professional basketball player. And from there, she transitioned to boxing. The reason? A devastating accident in 2008 that nearly killed her. And you won’t believe it—it was all for a papaya.

In 2008, while heading to the grocery store after a workout, Danielle Perkins was hit by a car in downtown Brooklyn. She woke up in the ICU with a cracked skull, strained neck, dislocated shoulder, and nerve damage from the waist down. Her body was shattered, and her basketball career? Over. For the first three months of recovery, she was effectively paralyzed.

“I couldn’t cross the street anymore,” Perkins revealed while talking to Boxing Scene. “As an athlete you think you can do anything. You watch all these Jackie Chan movies and you think you can just jump over a car,” she added with a laugh. With time and therapy, she overcame her fear. While she may never perform Jackie Chan stunts, she achieved something even more remarkable. She became a professional prizefighter.

Her foray into boxing began in 2014. It was when she walked into Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, seeking a way to stay fit. Just three years later, she made her amateur debut and quickly became a standout in the boxing community. Not just that. She also claimed gold at the 2019 World Championships. Her transition to professional boxing was a natural next step, with her first pro fight in 2020 marking the beginning of an impressive undefeated streak.

She has not only proven herself in the ring but has also earned accolades outside of it. Danielle Perkins won the 2016 USA Boxing Elite National Championship and also received a bronze medal at the 2018 World Championships. Fun fact: Danielle Perkins is even pursuing an MBA in finance.

As Danielle Perkins prepares for her title fight against Claressa Shields, fans will no doubt be watching closely. Do you think she is going to win against the GWOT? What other aspects of Perkins’ life would you like to know more about beyond her boxing career?