Claressa Shields Dominates Franchon Crews-Dezurn to Stay Undefeated

Claressa Shields and Franchon Crews-Dezurn didn’t need much buildup to sell their rematch.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the two longtime rivals, who first met as amateurs and again in their 2016 pro debuts, returned to the ring in Detroit with a packed Little Caesars Arena and more than 17,000 fans watching closely.

The fight had been framed as one of the biggest nights in women’s boxing, headlining an 11-bout card and drawing a crowd that included athletes, entertainers, and hometown supporters.

Shields entered as the undisputed heavyweight champion, while Crews-Dezurn brought her own championship pedigree and a clear message ahead of the bout: “I am a future Hall-of-Famer. I am going to show the world.”

Inside the ring, both fighters followed through on promises of action. Crews-Dezurn opened aggressively, landing early combinations and testing Shields in the first rounds. But as the fight progressed, Shields adjusted.

By the middle rounds, Shields began controlling the pace, relying on timing and precision. Her jab became a factor, helping her separate on the scorecards as the fight moved into the later rounds. After 10 rounds, all three judges scored the bout 100-90, giving Shields a unanimous decision victory.

The win moves Shields to 18-0 and marks another successful defense of her undisputed heavyweight title.

After the fight, Shields acknowledged both the challenge and the stakes. “I felt like I had to take my time. Franchon hits hard and she’s tough and you got to be very tricky with her,” she said. “She was trying to cause the upset today and got me with some shots.”

She also made it clear the fight delivered on expectations. “That’s one of the best fights that I’ve been in at my professional career, especially at 10 rounds. It was fun. I had to watch my ass every round.”

Despite the wide scorecards, Shields credited her opponent for pushing her. “I haven’t seen a fight that exciting in women’s boxing in a very long time,” she said. “I know the scorecards was 90 to 100, but I think she got me two rounds. I just don’t know which two.”

Crews-Dezurn, now 10-3, reflected on the rivalry with respect. “She inspires me,” she said. “When I’m seeing her, I’m like, ‘OK, that’s a point I could get to…’ I’m proud of her.”