In a few hours, Danielle Perkins will face the WBC and WBF heavyweight champion Claressa Shields in the biggest fight of her career. Since making her pro-debut in 2020, 42-year-old Perkins has been a bit inconsistent. She went on a sabbatical almost right after her debut and made a comeback in March 2024, after three years of inactivity.

Now, she has the opportunity to become the first-ever women’s undisputed heavyweight champion. It is quite insane to think that the Brooklyn native had no intention of becoming a boxer. Perkins’ journey to the boxing ring is a testament to resilience and adaptability. So, before she steps into the ring against the GWOAT in the latter’s own backyard, let’s take a look at how Danielle Perkins became the fighter she is today.

Danielle Perkins’ ethnicity and nationality

Born on August 30, 1982, in Bushwick, Brooklyn, ‘New Era’ is an American professional boxer with her roots tied to African American heritage. Her nationality is American, and she has always been proud to carry that flag on the global stage. Before stepping into the boxing right, Perkins was representing the US in basketball court across Europe. However, her life took a dramatic turn when a car accident left her temporarily paralyzed and cut her basketball career short.

She ultimately put on the gloves and transitioned to boxing in her mid-30s. Expectedly, changing a sport at this stage of her career was a tedious task. However, given her athletic prowess, she quickly made a mark in the amateur circuit, securing a bronze medal at the 2018 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, followed by a gold medal in 2019.

The Brooklyn native turned pro at the age of 37 and even though it has been tough finding opponents, she has done well for herself. She has been undefeated after 5 bouts and has a chance to create history in the squared circle in just a few hours—something she never would have imagined while growing up in Brooklyn.

Danielle Perkins’ early life

Perkins had a busy childhood and was involved in various sports, but it was basketball that took her heart. However, even before basketball, she was a chess enthusiast in her after-school program. It’s a hobby that she still holds today, as it allows her to make sense of all the surrounding chaos.

The 6’0 feet power forward/guard started her basketball career at George Mason University and then St. John’s University in Queens, before making a professional switch in Europe. She was at St. John’s from 2003 to 2006 and even led the team stats in rebounds and blocks. If it was not for that untimely accident, we might have seen Perkins tearing it up in the WNBA.

While Danielle Perkins might be a decade older and far less experienced than Claressa Shields, she has been beating the odds ever since her boxing debut. However, her professional career has been frustrating. Even after defeating elite fighters like Monika Harrison or Tímea Nagy, she has found negotiations for fights quite tiring and fruitless. But finally, she has found an opponent who will not only challenge her but winning here would make her immortal in boxing history.

Do you think Danielle Perkins has a chance against Claressa Shields? Let us know your thoughts down below.