On February 22nd, the boxing world will turn its eyes to Detroit as Claressa Shields prepares to defend her undisputed heavyweight crown against a familiar foe, Franchon Crews-Dezurn. This highly anticipated rematch promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both fighters bringing a wealth of experience and a hunger for victory into the ring.
Shields, aptly nicknamed ‘T-Rex’, has firmly established herself as the queen of the heavyweight division. She holds all the major belts—WBC, IBF, WBO, and WBA—and is also recognized as The Ring Magazine world champion. Her journey to becoming the undisputed champion was marked by a dominant victory over Danielle Perkins last year, securing the IBF heavyweight title that had previously eluded her. Shields’ impressive resume includes an unbeaten record of 17 wins, with three coming by way of knockout.
Her last bout was against Lani Daniels in July 2025, where she showcased her superior skills, winning via unanimous decision over 10 rounds. Shields’ ability to dominate her opponents has become a hallmark of her career, and she will undoubtedly be looking to replicate that form against Crews-Dezurn.
Crews-Dezurn, hailing from Maryland, USA, enters the fight as the underdog but is no stranger to the big stage. Known as ‘The Heavy Hitting Diva’, she has an impressive record of her own, with notable victories over Citlalli Ortiz and Shadasia Green. However, her professional career has also seen two losses, both to formidable opponents: a points decision to Shields in their professional debuts in 2016 and a unanimous decision to Savannah Marshall over 10 rounds.
The rematch between Shields and Crews-Dezurn is set to take place at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. The broadcast will begin at 8pm ET/5pm PT/1am GMT, with the main event ring walks expected at approximately 11pm ET/8pm PT/4am GMT. Boxing enthusiasts can catch all the action live on DAZN’s standard subscription plan, which is available for £15.99 per month or £119.99 per annum.
In the lead-up to this high-stakes rematch, both fighters have been preparing rigorously. Shields’ recent performances have been nothing short of stellar, with victories over Lani Daniels, Danielle Perkins, and Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse. Crews-Dezurn, on the other hand, has shown resilience and determination, bouncing back from her defeat to Marshall with victories over Ortiz and Green.
The undercard for the event also promises to deliver exciting matchups. Atif Oberlton will face Joseph George in a 10-round light heavyweight bout, while Samantha Worthington takes on Edith Soledad Matthysse in a 10 x 2-minute round super lightweight contest. Additionally, Che Kenneally will go up against Danielle Perkins in what is sure to be a thrilling encounter.
As the date approaches, the anticipation for Shields vs. Crews-Dezurn 2 continues to build. With both fighters in top form and everything on the line, this rematch is poised to be a classic in the making. Boxing fans around the world will be eagerly tuning in to witness what promises to be a night of unforgettable action.
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