Shields to Defend Undisputed Heavyweight Crown Against Crews-Dezurn

Claressa Shields will put her undisputed women's heavyweight championship on the line against Franchon Crews-Dezurn at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit early next year.

Shields, 30, remains unbeaten in 17 professional bouts and secured undisputed status with a victory over Danielle Perkins in February. In November she signed a multi-year deal reportedly worth $8 million with Salita Promotions and Wynn Records, a pact promoters described as the richest in women’s boxing.

The two fighters are not strangers: Shields beat the 38-year-old Crews-Dezurn by unanimous decision in 2016, a contest that doubled as both women’s professional debuts. Shields has made clear she intends to finish the rematch emphatically, saying she expects to put Crews-Dezurn on her back and leave with a knockout. She added that niggling injuries affected some recent performances but that she is fully recovered and ready for the challenge.

Last summer Shields retained her heavyweight belts in Detroit against Lani Daniels, a fight that attracted a crowd of more than 15,000 fans.

Unbeaten British welterweight champion Lauren Price has repeatedly signalled an interest in facing Shields down the line. Price, also an Olympic gold medallist in the same division as Shields, said she hopes to become undisputed at her own weight first before pursuing a potential meeting, which she believes could take place at middleweight.

Price insists she can beat Shields, pointing to her speed and boxing ability as key advantages. After a high-profile win over Natasha Jonas that reportedly caught Shields’s attention, Price said the prospect of a clash now feels more realistic and that she’d welcome the opportunity to test herself against one of the sport’s top fighters.

The Detroit rematch between Shields and Crews-Dezurn adds another high-profile chapter to Shields’s career, with expectations high for a compelling showdown between two experienced former Olympians and world champions.