The WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF belts remain on the line tonight in Detroit
Claressa Shields’ undisputed heavyweight title defense against Franchon Crews-Dezurn proceeds Sunday at Little Caesars Arena after a heated shove at the weigh-in sparked a brief melee. The confrontation came during the final faceoff.
Shields initiated the shove during the faceoff, and both corners immediately stepped in as security moved to restore order. Crews-Dezurn was checked by officials in the aftermath and later approved to fight.
Their rivalry runs deep, dating back to the amateurs and continuing through their professional debuts against each other in 2016. There are no surprises between them at this stage.
Technically, this is about who sets the jab first and who keeps position when it turns rough. Crews-Dezurn leans into clinches, short hooks, and body shots. She is comfortable making a fight ugly in close quarters. Shields prefers mid-range control, straight punching, and clean combinations after she resets her feet. If Shields establishes her jab early, she dictates distance. If Crews-Dezurn crowds her and forces toe to toe exchanges the rounds get tight.
Shields outlined what she expects to Sky Sports.
“I know she’s going to come, she’s going to bring it, she’s more familiar with me than anybody else,” Shields said. “You know that when you fight against Franchon, you’re going to get bumps, you’re going to get bruises. You may get thrown on the ground. Franchon is a rough and rugged fighter and she’s very experienced.”
She was direct about her standard.
“I’m the cream of the crop. I haven’t had any close fights so I can’t say how this fight will be,” Shields said. “I like winning unanimously. I like knocking girls out. I like dominating. I don’t like having close fights.”
The Shields vs Crews-Dezurn weigh-in got active 😅 pic.twitter.com/JBgq4O5FYo
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) February 21, 2026
The belts guarantee sanctioning recognition. They do not prevent a physical fight. Sunday settles it inside the ropes.