Claressa Shields Defends Heavyweight Title in Lopsided Victory Over Rival Franchon Crews-Dezurn

The two-time Olympic gold medalist won a unanimous decision in a rematch of their 2016 pro debuts.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Claressa Shields, the undisputed heavyweight champion, defended her title with a lopsided unanimous decision victory over rival Franchon Crews-Dezurn at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Shields, fighting at home, improved her professional record to 18-0 (2 KOs), winning 100-90 on all three scorecards. Crews-Dezurn, who holds a super-middleweight title, fell to 10-3 in the rematch of their 2016 pro debuts.

Why it matters

Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, is one of the biggest stars in women's boxing and this victory continues her dominance in the heavyweight division. The fight also featured a long-running rivalry between the two fighters, with tensions boiling over at the pre-fight weigh-in.

The details

Shields took control early with her superior hand speed, though the first round saw both fighters throwing hard flurries. Crews-Dezurn had to see a doctor Sunday morning to check knee and ankle injuries, but was still able to compete. After the final bell, the fighters had a lengthy face-to-face conversation before embracing.

  • The fight took place on Sunday, February 23, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
  • Shields and Crews-Dezurn first met in their pro debuts on November 19, 2016.

The players

Claressa Shields

A two-time Olympic gold medalist and the undisputed heavyweight champion, Shields is one of the biggest stars in women's boxing.

Franchon Crews-Dezurn

Crews-Dezurn is the current super-middleweight champion and Shields' long-time rival, having first faced off in their pro debuts in 2016.

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What they’re saying

“I had to take my time tonight. That's one of the toughest fights I've been in during my pro career. She hits hard these days.”

— Claressa Shields (flintbeat.com)

What’s next

Shields' victory sets up potential future matchups with other top women's heavyweights as she continues to cement her legacy in the sport.

The takeaway

Claressa Shields' dominant performance in her hometown of Detroit solidifies her status as one of the premier fighters in women's boxing, as she successfully defended her undisputed heavyweight title against a tough and determined rival in Franchon Crews-Dezurn.