Shields To Face Crews-Dezurn In Huge Grudge Match
- Matthew Brown
- Dec 9
- 2 min read
11/10/2025 Updated 12/09/2025
Sources tell Brunch Boxing that undisputed heavyweight champion Claressa Shields is slated to take on unified super middleweight champion Franchón Crews-Dezurn in a blockbuster showdown between former friends turned fierce rivals.
The two women share a long history. Shields (17-0, 3 KOs) and Crews-Dezurn (10-2, 2 KOs) met in their respective professional debuts, with Shields earning a unanimous decision victory. Both fighters went on to achieve the rare feat of becoming undisputed champions—Shields doing so an unprecedented four times across three weight divisions.
Though the pair had maintained a cordial relationship for years, tensions have reportedly escalated in recent months. Sources tell Brunch Boxing that Crews-Dezurn has aligned herself with Shields’s longtime rival Laila Ali, who is expected to play a role in Crews-Dezurn’s training camp as she prepares to face “The GWOAT.”
While Shields did not name names directly, she appeared to respond to the speculation online, writing:
“Laila doing everything but fighting me, but a little birdy told me she’s trying to train my future opponent. Good luck with that!”
Crews-Dezurn, for her part, has been vocal in pursuing a rematch with Shields for years—recently taking a major step by signing with Shields’s own promoter, Dmitry Salita, to help make the fight a reality.
“So what are we doing, Claressa?” Crews-Dezurn said. “I signed to fight you and don’t nobody else want smoke with me. I already beat the other person [Shadasia Green] you mentioned, so I’m just saying. I’ve been waiting on you for years. Now I’m waiting at the door, Big GWOAT.”
Shields, never one to shy away from a challenge, reportedly signed her side of the agreement. The Flint native has vowed to take on every woman who has called her out—a list that includes Shadasia Green and Mikaela Mayer—but she’ll start with Crews-Dezurn.
Shields is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Lani Daniels, while Crews-Dezurn enters the fight on a two-bout win streak, notching victories over Citlalli Ortiz and Shadasia Green.
The fight will mark the first under Shields’s new two-year, $8 million multi-fight deal with Wynn Records and Salita Promotions, a landmark agreement that stands among the richest in women’s boxing.
An official announcement of the Shields–Crews-Dezurn grudge match, along with full details is expected soon.
Update: Bout officially announced today. The event will take place February 22 at Little Caesar’s Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
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