Claressa Shields Defends Heavyweight Title
In a decisive victory, Claressa Shields defended her undisputed heavyweight title by overpowering Franchon Crews-Dezurn with a unanimous decision at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Sunday evening. Shields, who remains undefeated with a record of 18 wins, including 2 knockouts, dominated the bout, earning scores of 100-90 from all three judges.
Rematch and Pre-Fight Tensions
The matchup was a rematch of their initial encounter, which took place nearly seven years ago, where Shields also emerged victorious. Tensions between the fighters escalated as a brawl occurred during the weigh-in preceding the fight. Crews-Dezurn, who holds a super-middleweight championship, entered the ring with a record of 10 wins and 3 losses, but had to be evaluated by a doctor for knee and ankle concerns prior to the fight; nevertheless, she was cleared to continue.
Post-Fight Reflections
“I had to take my time tonight,” Shields stated after the match, acknowledging the challenge posed by her opponent. “That’s one of the toughest fights I’ve been in during my pro career. She hits hard these days.”
The intensity from both fighters was apparent right from the onset, with both exchanging powerful strikes. However, Shields quickly took charge thanks to her faster hand speed.
Mutual Respect and Future Prospects
After the final bell rang, both fighters engaged in a lengthy discussion face-to-face, culminating in a show of mutual respect as they embraced at the conclusion of the match. This bout marked Shields’ first fight under a significant multi-fight contract worth $8 million that she secured recently, attracting a substantial audience to the venue, home to Detroit’s NHL and NBA teams.
Co-Main Event Highlights
In the co-main event, light heavyweight Atif Olberlton maintained his undefeated streak by facing Joseph George, who was alarmingly unable to continue after the first round due to collapsing in his corner. Emergency responders attended to George, but he was able to exit the ring on his own.
Undercard Upsets
Additionally, on the undercard, Danielle Perkins from the United States caused a stir by defeating Australian fighter Che Kenneally with a knockout in the sixth round, thus claiming the WBA light-heavyweight title.
This event underlined Shields’ rising star power in the boxing world, especially after her successful title defense against a rival from her past.
