Claressa Shields Defends Undisputed Heavyweight Title Against Franchon Crews-Dezurn

They first fought in 2016 on the Andre Ward vs Sergey Kovalev undercard. Four rounds. Shields won a unanimous decision. At the time, women’s boxing was still fighting for Olympic inclusion and television dates. Now nine belts sat on the table at Thursday’s press conference.

Shields, 17-0, spoke about the early blueprint.

“She was my motivation back then,” Shields said. “I knew from back then that she hit hard. That’s what I noticed when I was 13. I said, that lady hits hard, OK.”

She described studying Crews-Dezurn as a teenager.

“When I ran, I thought about her. When I sparred in the ring, I thought about her. When I punched the bag, I thought about her. And it’s been that way for a very long time.”

Crews-Dezurn, 10-2, sees the rematch as overdue.

“This is a long time in the making,” she said. “I’ve always told Claressa our journeys were going to be intertwined.”

Technically, Shields fights behind a sharp jab and quick feet. She sets range early, then lets combinations go. At heavyweight, punch selection and conditioning decide pace late. Extra weight tests stamina.

Crews-Dezurn is physical inside. She leans on opponents, digs to the body, and keeps her head on the chest in close quarters. Moving up from super middleweight asks her to carry that style over ten rounds against a natural bigger champion.

Shields is the undisputed heavyweight champion. Crews-Dezurn holds unified belts at 168. Sunday does not shift those super middleweight titles. It does, however, tie up the heavyweight division. Mandatory challengers wait once this defense is complete. Sanctioning fees are already in place. A victory secures leverage for the next negotiation.

Detroit has become Shields’ base. This is her fifth straight fight in Michigan and fourth at LCA. She drew 15,600 last July against Lani Daniels. The building expects similar numbers Sunday night.

Respect was visible at the press conference. It ends at the bell.

Date: SundayStart time: 7 pm ET USA, 12 am UKStreaming platform: DAZNVenue: Little Caesars Arena, DetroitFight card: Claressa Shields 17-0 vs Franchon Crews-Dezurn 10-2, undisputed heavyweight championship; 11 total bouts, first fight 4:30 p.m. ET