Shields Shuts Out Crews-Dezurn Before a Crowd of 18,000 in Detroit

Published

3 hours ago

February 23, 2026

Shields Shuts Out Crews-Dezurn Before a Crowd of 18,000 in Detroit

There are rivalries, and then there are relationships that are complicated enough to require a flowchart.

On Sunday night in Detroit, before a roaring crowd of more than 18,000 at Little Caesars Arena, Claressa Shields and Franchón Crews-Dezurn added another chapter to a saga that has swung from amateur rivals to professional dance partners, from friends to bitter enemies, and now, perhaps, back to something resembling respect.

In the end, it was the same story told at a different weight: speed over strength, volume over toughness. Shields retained her undisputed heavyweight championship with a commanding unanimous decision, the judges turning in identical 100-90 scorecards after ten brisk, bruising rounds.

The Melee Before the Music

It all nearly unraveled before the opening bell.

At the weigh-in, a shove sparked a melee. Crews-Dezurn fell awkwardly. Rumors spread. Would the fight be scrapped?

Not a chance.

When the lights dimmed Sunday evening, both women were there: Crews-Dezurn with her Baltimore entourage and Shields with the city of Flint and Detroit behind her like a civic movement. Salita Promotions rolled the dice on a blockbuster night, and the crowd responded.

Shields vs Crews-Dezurn

Shields (18-0, 3 KOs) came in as the reigning undisputed heavyweight champion and left with the hardware still intact. For Crews-Dezurn (10-3, 2 KOs), the loss was definitive but not diminishing.

The opening round was a whirlwind with both fighters unloading. It echoed their first meeting in 2016, when women’s boxing was truly in it’s infancy and purses were insignificant.

Now? Several women have crossed the seven-figure threshold. Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, multi-division undisputed champion, has been at the financial and competitive forefront of that surge, along with Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano.

Crews-Dezurn, rugged and unapologetic, tried to disrupt the tempo. She worked behind a long right jab, pivoted neatly, slipped inside the flurries. In the second round she unveiled subtle defensive tweaks including shoulder turns and angle changes.

It was clever, but it wasn’t enough.

Shields adjusted the way great fighters do. She dialed back the hunt for single power shots and instead engaged “tornado mode”; a cascading, blinding assault of combinations. Three punches became five. Five became eight. Crews-Dezurn attempted to match the rhythm but found herself perpetually half a beat behind.

“That’s one of the best fights I’ve ever been in,” Shields admitted afterward. “I had to watch my ass.”

Crews-Dezurn’s jab checked Shields’ forward surge, and she occasionally landed uppercuts and looping rights. But Shields’ ability to swarm, which included piercing the guard and forcing exchanges on her terms tilted every round.

After ten rounds, the shutout felt harsh on paper, yet accurate. Shields remains undefeated at 18-0 with 3 KOs. Crews-Dezurn, falling to 10-3, 2 KOs, was gracious in defeat and made it clear the animosity had evaporated with the final bell.

“I want to congratulate Claressa,” said Crews-Dezurn. A lot has transpired but I love this girl. If we have a chance to share the ring again, I’m right here.”

Shields was equally gracious, and stated “I’m not going to hate Franchon or anyone on their team”.

The Undercard

Atif Oberlton vs Joe George Jr.

Atif Oberlton (15-0, 13 KOs) was pronounced the winner over Joseph George Jr. (13-2, 8 KOs) in a light heavyweight bout. Oberlton defeated George by 1st-round TKO when the bout was stopped. During the 1 minute interlude between rounds, George was seated on his stool when he requested water, took a sip, and then collapsed onto the canvas. George was later cleared and released from the hospital.

Danielle Perkins vs Che Kenneally

Danielle Perkins, now 6-1, 3 KOs, captured the WBA light heavyweight title with a sixth-round TKO over Che Kenneally, whose record fell to 5-1.

Perkins, who previously tested herself against Shields, exhibited thudding power and even a little playfulness. After competitive early exchanges, with Kenneally’s crisp punching earning her some moments, Perkins began to impose her size and strength in rounds two and three.

A brief lapse in round four allowed Kenneally to rally some. But in the sixth, Perkins timed a right hook perfectly during an exchange. Kenneally crashed to the canvas, bleeding badly. She beat the count, but was injured and unsteady. The referee halted the bout at 1:45 of the sixth.

“I got to let her come into my space and let it fly,” Perkins said.

Mission accomplished.

Matthysse Turns Back Worthington

Argentina’s Edith Matthysse (21-16-1, 4 KOs) scored a stoppage after eight rounds over previously unbeaten Samantha Worthington (12-1) in a super lightweight bout.

Experience trumped momentum. Matthysse pressed the action, broke down Worthington methodically, and forced the corner’s intervention at the conclusion of the eighth round.

Butler, Tini, and Hampton Retain their Undefeated Records

Shannel Butler (7-0, 3 KOs) earned a unanimous decision over Danila Ramos (14-5) in an eight-round featherweight contest, using steady pressure and cleaner combinations.

Savannah Tini (7-0 2 KOs) outpointed Vaida Masiokaite (11-30-6, 1 KO) over eight rounds at super lightweight, maintaining control behind disciplined boxing.

Jasmine Hampton (2-0, 2 KOs) continued her ascent with a fifth-round knockout of Agustina Vazquez (6-7-2, 1 KO) in a light flyweight bout, closing the show with clinical aggression.

Pryce Taylor vs. James Evans

Heavyweight Pryce Taylor (11-0, 7 KOs) defeated James Evans (9-3-1) by 5th round TKO of a schedled 8 at 53 seconds of the round, showcasing heavy hands and pressure.