Claressa Shields and Franchon Crews-Dezurn delivered the action they promised Sunday night in Detroit.
All three judges scored the 10-round bout 100-90 in favor of Shields, who improved to 18-0 (3 KOs). Crews-Dezurn, still a super middleweight titleholder, dropped to 10-3. After the final bell, the longtime rivals embraced in the center of the ring following a hard-fought contest in front of more than 17,000 fans.
“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,” Shields said. “She was trying to cause the upset today and got me with some shots… 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.”
Watch the official fight highlights: Watch
Crews-Dezurn started aggressively, unleashing flurries in the opening rounds, but Shields adjusted by sharpening her jab and controlling the tempo. By the middle rounds, Shields’ timing and accuracy began to separate her on the scorecards. Despite the wide margins, Shields acknowledged the competitiveness of the fight. “I think she got me two rounds. I just don’t know which two,” she said.
The bout was a rematch of their 2016 professional debuts, when Shields won a four-round decision in Las Vegas. Both women, former amateur rivals, set aside friendship to compete once more on a major stage. Crews-Dezurn praised Shields afterward, saying, “She inspires me… I’m proud of her.”
The victory marked Shields’ second defense of the undisputed heavyweight title she won in February 2025 against Danielle Perkins. Looking ahead, Shields named Shadasia Green as a desired opponent, followed by a potential catchweight bout with Mikaela Mayer at 162 or 163 pounds. She also hinted at a future beyond boxing, saying she hopes to take time off in 2027 to start a family.
Image Credit: DAZN