Salita Promotions, Wynn Records and 313 Presents bring it to Little Caesars Arena. Shields defends for the second time under her reported $8 million agreement. The card streams on DAZN. Doors open at 4 p.m. ET.
Ten Years On
November 19, 2016. Andre Ward vs Sergey Kovalev undercard. Two debuting pros thrown straight into the fire.
Shields had two Olympic gold medals and national attention before she wrapped her hands. Crews-Dezurn accepted the fight when others would not. Four rounds. Shields took a unanimous decision. Crews-Dezurn stayed in the gym, rebuilt, and later became undisputed at super middleweight.
Their careers split after that night. The rivalry did not.
Now they meet at heavyweight with all four belts attached. No learning curve. No prospect phase. Both are established champions.
Shields: “Unfinished Business”
“In 2016 I had just come off winning two Olympic gold medals, fresh out of the amateurs, and finding an opponent was tough. Franchón stepped in,” Shields said. “I’ve grown a lot since that first victory, going on to win nineteen world titles, the ESPY award, and countless other achievements, but me and Franchón have unfinished business that needs to be settled.”
Detroit brings expectation.
“Selling out Little Caesars Arena was a dream, and my fans made that come true. Fighting in Michigan motivates me, and it also puts pressure on me because I never want to fail them.”
She made her plan clear.
“In my first fight with Franchón I won a unanimous decision, but come February 22, I don’t have those same plans. I plan on putting Franchón Crews on her back and leaving with the KO.”
Technically, Shields fights behind a sharp jab and quick feet, then lets combinations go once she sets her base. She is comfortable in mid-range exchanges and does not wait long between bursts. At heavyweight, conditioning and punch selection matter more. Extra mass changes the pace and the recovery between exchanges.
Crews-Dezurn is compact and physical. She works inside, digs to the body, and makes fights rough in close. Moving up in weight tests her conditioning and punch resistance over ten rounds.
Crews-Dezurn: “The Story Isn’t Finished”
“I’ve been waiting and working a long time for this moment,” Crews-Dezurn said. “This time as established champions with great legacies. I’m daring to be even greater by going up in weight.”
“I’m a worldwide woman that’s good in any hood and can’t wait to give Detroit, along with the world, a great fight. This is my sixth fight in a row on DAZN and I am grateful to be back once again with everything on the line.”
The respect is public. The fight will not be.
Date: February 22Start time: 7 pm ET USA, 12 am UKStreaming platform: DAZNVenue: Little Caesars Arena, DetroitFight card or results: Claressa Shields vs Franchón Crews-Dezurn, undisputed heavyweight championship
