Claressa Shields Defends Heavyweight Title in Lopsided Win Over Rival

The two-time Olympic gold medalist dominated Franchon Crews-Dezurn in a rematch of their 2016 pro debuts.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Claressa Shields, the undisputed heavyweight champion, won a lopsided unanimous decision over Franchon Crews-Dezurn to successfully defend her title at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Sunday night. Shields, fighting in front of a large hometown crowd, improved her professional record to 18-0 with the 100-90 victory on all three scorecards.

Why it matters

Shields' victory over her longtime rival Crews-Dezurn solidifies her status as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in women's boxing. The fight was a rematch of their 2016 pro debuts, and the long-standing bad blood between the two fighters added extra drama to the event.

The details

Shields controlled the fight from the opening bell with her superior hand speed and boxing skills. Crews-Dezurn, who holds a super-middleweight title, was able to land some hard shots, but Shields' defense and counterpunching proved too much. After the final bell, the two fighters had a lengthy conversation before embracing.

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

The players

Claressa Shields

A two-time Olympic gold medalist and the undisputed heavyweight champion, Shields is considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in women's boxing.

Franchon Crews-Dezurn

Crews-Dezurn is a super-middleweight champion who was looking to pull off the upset against her longtime rival Shields.

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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 (AP)

What’s next

Shields' victory sets her up for potentially bigger fights and more lucrative paydays as she continues to cement her legacy as one of the greatest female boxers of all time.

The takeaway

Shields' dominant performance over her rival Crews-Dezurn shows her continued dominance in the women's heavyweight division and her status as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport.