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Who will win a rematch ten years in the making when Claressa Shields defends her status as the undisputed heavyweight champion against Franchon Crews-Dezurn? The fight on Sunday at the Little Caesars Arena airs on DAZN.
Shields (17-0) beat Crews-Dezurn (10-2) via unanimous decision in their pro debuts in 2016. Since then, Shields has become a three-division undisputed champion, while Crews-Dezurn has held all the gold at super middleweight.
The self-proclaimed “G.W.O.A.T.,” Shields has backed up her words with her in-ring skills. After headlining multiple shows in Detroit and earning millions, Shields looks to start the year with momentum for herself and women’s boxing, this time against a familiar foe.
"Me and Franchon have always said that for some reason we are always intertwined in each other's lives... Now we meet again on the first fight of my major deal," Shields told BBC Sport.
Crews-Dezurn currently holds WBA and WBC super middleweight gold. She could have competed to become undisputed again, but opted to move up to avenge her first loss. "The Heavy Hitting Diva” is ready to make a statement on fight night.
“I had a lot of history with Claressa, and I’ve seen her grow and do things amazing things,” Crews-Dezurn said via FightHype and Bad Left Hook. “Myself, I’ve done amazing things in boxing, too.
“I’m one of the last Mohicans, one of the last dying breeds... and everything I do is to preserve women’s boxing, to be competitive just like the men, and to have one of my favorite dance partners in Claressa Shields because she’s passionate about putting on good fights.”
Several titles are on the line on the Claressa Shields vs. Franchon Crews-Dezurn 2 undercard, while rising stars look to impress.
Claressa Shields vs. Franchon Crews-Dezurn 2 undercard
Here's a breakdown of all the action on the Shields vs. Crews-Dezurn 2 card.
Atif Oberlton vs. Joseph George
- Division/Weight: Light Heavyweight
- Oberlton record: 14-0
- George record: 13-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
The co-feature will see Atif Oberlton vs. Joseph George.
A multi-time National Golden Gloves champion, Oberlton (14-0) won three fights in 2025 via knockout. “Lord Pretty Calvo” has 12 wins by knockout.
Another Golden Gloves champion, George (13-1), won his last fight in March 2025, his first bout in almost three years. The 36-year-old has eight wins by knockout.
Che Kenneally vs. Danielle Perkins
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Kenneally record: 5-0
- Perkins record: 5-1
- Belts at stake: WBA light heavyweight title
Che Kenneally defends the WBA light heavyweight title against Danielle Perkins.
A former shot put competitor, Kenneally (5-0) competes for the first time since 2024. The Aussie won the WBA belt via knockout in July 2024.
MORE: The case for two vs. three-minute rounds in women's boxing
A two-time World Championships medalist, Perkins (5-1) returns to action after losing against Claressa Shields last February. The former St. John's basketball player has two wins via knockout.
Samantha Worthington vs. Edith Soledad Matthysse
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Worthington record: 12-0
- Matthysse record: 20-16-1
- Belts at stake: Interim WBA super lightweight title
Samantha Worthington defends the interim WBA super lightweight title against Edith Soledad Matthysse.
A five-time national champion, Worthington (12-0) beat Victoire Piteau in July to win the interim WBA title. After signing with T-Rex Promotions, Worthington has seven wins by knockout.
The sister of former world champion Lucas Matthysse, Edith (20-16-1) is a former WBA featherweight champion. She has faced the likes of Alycia Baumgardner, Nina Meinke and Elif Nur Turhan. The 45-year-old is on a three-fight win streak.
Shannel Butler vs. Danila Ramos
- Division/Weight: Featherweight
- Butler record: 6-0
- Ramos record: 14-4
- Belts at stake: N/A
Further down the card, Shannel Butler and Danila Ramos face off in featherweight action.
Butler (6-0) has won half of her fights via knockout. "The Sniper" competes in her first fight of 2026 after all of her fights were in 2025.
Ramos (14-4) failed to capture featherweight gold against Amanda Serrano in 2023. Since then, the former interim champion has gone 2-1 in her last three fights.
Pryce Taylor vs. James Evans
- Division/Weight: Heavyweight
- Taylor record: 10-0
- Evans record: 9-2-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Finally, Pryce Taylor faces James Evans.
A rising star, Taylor (10-0) won five fights in 2025. The 29-year-old has six wins via the power punch.
Evans (9-2-1) is on a two-fight win streak. The 33-year-old has seven wins via knockout.
Claressa Shields vs. Franchon Crews-Dezurn 2 tune-in info
- Date: Sunday, February 22
- Start time: 8 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. PT
- Main event start time (approx.): 11 p.m. ET | 8 p.m. PT
- Location: Little Caesars Arena - Detroit, Michigan
- Live Stream: DAZN
Claressa Shields vs. Franchon Crews-Dezurn 2 will be available on DAZN worldwide.
A DAZN monthly subscription is $19.99 on a 12-month contract or $29.99 month-to-month. The annual subscription is $224.99.
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