On Tuesday, it was announced that Claressa Shields will defend her undisputed heavyweight titles in a highly anticipated rematch against Franchon Crews-Dezurn on Sunday, February 22, from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, live on DAZN.
Shields (17-0, 3 KOs) and Crews-Dezurn (10-2, 2 KOs) squared off in their respective professional debuts in November 2016. It was Shields who emerged victorious via unanimous decision in the four-round affair. Each has come a long way since then, winning world titles in different weight classes. But the rivalry was still there despite the respect shown between the two.
Now, the score will be settled once and for all.
“In 2016, I had just come off winning two Olympic gold medals, fresh out of the amateurs, and finding an opponent was tough. Franchon stepped in,” Shields said in a press release. “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 Franchon have unfinished business that needs to be settled. She’s been poppin’ it like she can whoop me in a world championship fight. We went four rounds in our pro debut, and this fight will pick up from round five.
“In my first fight with Franchon, I won a unanimous decision, but come February 22, I don’t have those same plans," said Shields. I plan on putting Franchon Crews on her back and leaving with the KO. My last few fights, I was dealing with injuries, but now I’m 100 percent. Franchon is elite, but I am super elite, and I plan on proving that come fight night.”
“I’ve been waiting and working a long time for this moment, and we finally meet again," Crews-Dezurn said in the same release. “This time, as established champions with great legacies. I’m daring to be even greater by going up in weight, strutting into hell so I can create my heaven. 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.
Diego Pacheco versus Kevin Lele Sadjo is exclusively on DAZN this Saturday night, December 13, with Skye Nicolson and Gabe Flores Jr. also on the card. Watch with a subscription, monthly and annual options available.