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Undisputed women’s 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 Detroit’s 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 crown—which includes the WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO and WBF belts—and continued her ascent as one of the most spectacular athletes in women’s 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 Sunday’s encounter, but Shields’ 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-Dezurn’s power whilst underlining her own patience and strategy throughout the ten rounds. After the final bell, the two competitors shared mutual respect—a 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 women’s boxing.
Shields’ stunning win in Detroit doesn’t just cement her legacy in the ring—it also fuels speculation about her next big challenges, including potential bouts at catchweights or with other elite champions in the sport.
