Undisputed womenâs heavyweight boxing champion Claressa Shields delivered a masterful performance on February 22, 2026, defeating Franchon Crews-Dezurn by a unanimous decision to remain undefeated at 18-0.
Fighting in Detroitâs Little Caesars Arena, Shields controlled the bout from start to finish, earning identical 100-90 scorecards from all three judges. The victory marked a dominant title defense of her undisputed heavyweight crownâwhich includes the WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO and WBF beltsâand continued her ascent as one of the most spectacular athletes in womenâs boxing.
The rematch between Shields and Crews-Dezurn was highly anticipated, coming nearly a decade after their first professional fight in 2016, which also saw Shields prevail by unanimous decision. Both fighters brought intensity and grit to Sundayâs encounter, but Shieldsâ elite hand speed, technique and ring intelligence ultimately set her apart.
Shields herself described the contest as one of the toughest of her career, praising Crews-Dezurnâs power whilst underlining her own patience and strategy throughout the ten rounds. After the final bell, the two competitors shared mutual respectâa gesture that reflected their history and the fierce, yet respectful nature of elite sport.
Crews-Dezurn, a powerful super-middleweight titleholder with a 10-3 professional record, pushed Shields but was unable to sway the judges. Though defeated, she earned praise for her toughness and competitive spirit, reinforcing her status as a top contender in womenâs boxing.
Shieldsâ stunning win in Detroit doesnât just cement her legacy in the ringâit also fuels speculation about her next big challenges, including potential bouts at catchweights or with other elite champions in the sport.
