On a night that will be remembered as a milestone for women’s boxing and Detroit sports history, Claressa Shields once again proved why she’s called the GWOAT—Greatest Woman of All Time. Shields, the pride of Flint, Michigan, delivered a masterclass performance in front of more than 17,000 roaring fans at Little Caesars Arena, outclassing her longtime rival Franchon Crews-Dezurn by unanimous decision on February 22, 2026. The judges were unanimous, each scoring the bout 100-90 in Shields’ favor, as she defended her undisputed heavyweight world championship and extended her perfect professional record to an astonishing 18-0.
The atmosphere inside Little Caesars Arena was electric, with a crowd that set a new record for the venue and marked one of the largest boxing audiences in Detroit in decades. This wasn’t just a fight; it was a celebration of Shields’ journey from a young prodigy in Flint to an international superstar. The energy was palpable as fans witnessed a rematch nearly a decade in the making—Shields and Crews-Dezurn first met in their pro debuts back in 2016, where Shields also emerged victorious by unanimous decision. This time, they were the headliners, and the stakes couldn’t have been higher.
Shields entered the ring in money green and gold trunks, her blue hair a heartfelt tribute to her hometown and a reminder of Flint’s ongoing water crisis. She was greeted by thunderous cheers, while Crews-Dezurn, the self-styled "Heavy Hitting Diva" and current super middleweight champion, received a mix of boos and respect from the crowd. The pre-fight tension was real—just a day earlier, the two had exchanged heated words and even fists at the official weigh-in, and Crews-Dezurn had to be cleared by doctors for knee and ankle injuries suffered during the fracas. But once the bell rang, all that mattered was what happened inside the ropes.
From the opening round, Crews-Dezurn came out swinging, backing Shields into the corner and landing several sharp jabs that drew gasps from the crowd. Shields, however, remained unflappable, using her superior hand speed and ring IQ to quickly regain control. “I had to take my time. Franchon hits hard and she’s tough and you got to be very tricky with her,” Shields said after the fight. “She was trying to cause the upset today and got me with some shots, but Franchon is exactly who she thinks she is—‘The Heavy Hitting Diva’—and that’s one of the best fights that I’ve been in at my professional career, especially at 10 rounds. It was fun. I had to watch my ass every round.”
As the rounds wore on, Shields’ dominance became clear. She began to land crisp combinations, especially as Crews-Dezurn started to tire after the early onslaught. By the third round, Shields had seized control, and her relentless attack in the sixth and seventh rounds had the crowd on its feet, anticipating a possible knockout. Still, Crews-Dezurn showed remarkable heart, fighting back with everything she had, but ultimately, Shields’ conditioning and tactical brilliance proved too much. “I know the scorecards was 90 to 100, but I think she got me two rounds. I just don’t know which two,” Shields joked, acknowledging her opponent’s resilience.
The fight was more than just a display of athleticism; it was a testament to the deep respect and history between the two fighters. Despite heated exchanges in the lead-up, the final bell saw them embrace in the center of the ring, sharing a lengthy conversation that spoke volumes about their mutual admiration. “She inspires me. She came in at a time when I was dominant and shook the table up,” Crews-Dezurn reflected. “When I see her, it’s never a jealousy thing. I’m proud of her. I want to make that very clear. I want to see her do good at all times.”
The event was a showcase for women’s boxing, with a majority of the 11 fights on the card featuring female fighters. The crowd included Detroit’s first female mayor, Mary Sheffield, and Michigan’s Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, both of whom sat ringside. Boxing luminaries like Terence Crawford, rapper Tee Grizzley, comedians Mike Epps and Michael Blackson, and rapper Lil Boosie—who performed Shields’ ring walk song “Set It Off”—added to the star-studded atmosphere. Promoter Dmitriy Salita beamed, “Big-time boxing is back in Detroit.”
The undercard delivered its own drama, with Danielle Perkins capturing the WBA light-heavyweight title by knocking out Che Kenneally in the sixth round, and Atif Oberlton winning after Joseph George collapsed between rounds but thankfully left the ring under his own power. Still, it was Shields who stole the show, celebrating her victory as Tina Turner’s “Simply the Best” echoed through the arena—an apt soundtrack for a fighter who’s never known defeat.
This was Shields’ first bout under her landmark $8-million contract with Salita Promotions and Wynn Records, whose executive team includes rapper Papoose, Shields’ boyfriend. The deal signals a new era for Shields and women’s boxing alike. Shields is now 4-0 at Little Caesars Arena, which has quickly become her home away from home. “I did not see one empty seat in the house. I could not believe it,” she said, marveling at the turnout.
Looking ahead, Shields made it clear she’s not resting on her laurels. She called out several potential opponents for her next fights, including a possible third showdown with Crews-Dezurn, a clash with Shadasia Green at 168 pounds, and a much-anticipated bout with Mikaela Mayer. “I’d love to share the ring with Shadasia [Green]. She’s at 168 [pounds], I’d go down and fight against her. Franchon still has belts at 168. So you might see Shields vs. Crews-Dezurn 3!” Shields said, before adding she’d “absolutely” fight Mayer as well.
But Shields also hinted at a future outside the ring. “And then after that—what are we in, 2026 right now? Well, in 2027, like I said, this is my niece; this is not my child. But I want to have my own kids. So, in 2027, I think I want to take some time off and have my own kids,” she shared during the postfight news conference, hugging her niece.
As the final photos were snapped and the belts were hoisted high, it was clear that Shields’ victory was about more than just numbers on a scorecard. It was about legacy, resilience, and the power of dreams realized in front of a city that’s embraced her as its own. With her perfect record intact and new challenges on the horizon, Claressa Shields remains, quite simply, the best.