Claressa Shields delivered a masterclass performance Sunday night in her hometown, shutting out Franchon Crews-Dezurn on all scorecards to retain the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist improved to 18-0 with a unanimous decision victory at Little Caesars Arena, with all three judges scoring the contest 100-90. The win marked Shields’ first defense of the heavyweight crown she unified last year after moving up from middleweight.
“I had to take my time tonight,” Shields admitted afterward. “That’s one of the toughest fights I’ve been in during my pro career. She hits hard these days.”
The bout carried emotional weight beyond the championship stakes, serving as a rematch nearly a decade in the making. Shields and Crews-Dezurn first met as professionals making their debuts on November 19, 2016 — a fight Shields also won by unanimous decision.
Tensions boiled over during fight week, with Thursday’s weigh-in descending into chaos as the fighters squared off and their teams clashed. Crews-Dezurn required a Sunday morning medical evaluation for knee and ankle issues but was ultimately cleared to compete.
Despite the heated buildup, the rivals shared a moment of embrace following the final bell — a gesture of mutual respect after ten rounds of fierce competition.
Both fighters started aggressively, but Shields’ superior hand speed and ring IQ quickly took control. The Detroit native, who became women’s boxing’s first undisputed heavyweight champion last year, put her growing power on display while outboxing the durable Crews-Dezurn.
The fight marked the first outing in Shields’ new £5.9 million ($8 million) multi-fight agreement and drew a passionate crowd to the home of the Detroit Red Wings and Pistons.
In a concerning moment during the co-main event, light-heavyweight Joseph George collapsed in his corner immediately after the opening round against Atif Oberlton. Paramedics attended to George, who was eventually able to exit the ring unassisted.
On the undercard, American light-heavyweight Danielle Perkins (6-1) stopped Australia’s Che Kenneally (5-1) in the sixth round to claim the WBA light-heavyweight title.
Shields, now cemented as one of boxing’s premier attractions, continues to build what she hopes will be a legacy that transcends the sport. With her undisputed crown intact and a lucrative new broadcast deal underway, the 30-year-old champion shows no signs of slowing down.
