DETROIT – Claressa Shields is set to take on Franchon Crews-Dezurn on Sunday, Feb. 22, at Little Caesars Arena in Downtown Detroit.
The fight card began at 4:30 p.m. featuring rising prospects and contenders along with five women’s bouts including Samantha Worthington, Sardius Simmons, Lance Smith, Jasmine Hampton, Savannah Tini, Jaquan McElroy and Shannel Butler. This portion of the card is streaming live on Zeus Network.
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The next portion of the card including Pryce Taylor, Che Kenneally, Danielle Perkins, Atif Oberlton, Franchon Crews-Dezurn and Claressa Shields streams live on DAZN starting at 8 p.m.
You can follow along with the entire night with our live updates below.
Che Kenneally vs. Danielle Perkins
Both fighters saw success in the opening round. Perkins stalked behind her long, rangy jab as Kenneally looked for counter opportunities off the back foot. Perkins found early success launching combinations from long range behind the jab. Kenneally often came right back with a combination of her own. Perkins landed the more eye-catching shots through the middle-rounds. Perkins knocked Kenneally down with a thunderous counter lead hook in the sixth round. A bloody Kenneally got up but the referee stopped the bout.
Perkins won by TKO in the sixth round
Pryce Taylor vs.James Evans
Taylor opened the fight on the front foot, hunting the circling Evans around the ring. Taylor was able to cut the ring off and land some heavy overhand rights in the early rounds. Evans tried to box from long range but couldn’t land anything consequential. Taylor’s power proved too much for Evans to withstand in the middle rounds. Taylor methodically applied pressure and dropped Evans twice the fourth round. Taylor dropped Evans once again in the fifth round after a barrage of punches and the fight was stopped.
Taylor won by TKO in the fifth round
Sardius Simmons vs. Dylan Potter
Simmons found success in the first round landing heavy blows from the southpaw stance. The difference in athleticism was evident as Potter had trouble dealing with Simmons’ speed. Simmons applied pressure behind his jab and heavy left hands. Potter tried to land punches of his own but Simmons showed good head movement and evasiveness. Simmons’ left hand was his most effective weapon in the fight. In the later rounds, Simmons put his combinations together behind his jab, which set up clean punches to the head and body. Potter withstood some heavy blows, especially in the final round but he managed to stay on his feet and survive. The bout went to decision.
Simmons won by UD: 40-36, 40-36, 40-36
Samantha Worthington vs. Edith Matthysse
Worthington applied pressure behind relentless combinations to the head and body. Matthysse responded with punch volume of her own in a high-action affair. The fight was largely fought from close-range with both fighters exchanging heavy blows. The early rounds were close with Worthington having slightly more volume and pressure. Matthysse found success countering Worthington with the right hand as she came into close-range. Later in the fight, Matthysse had more moments than Worthington, landing the overhand right and left hook. In between the 8th and 9th rounds, Worthington’s corner stopped the fight due to a cut on her eye.
Matthysse won by TKO at the start of the ninth round.
Lance Smith vs. Jorge Vizcarrondo
Smith came out circling around the ring using a fast jab to keep Vizcarrondo at bay. He followed the jab with thundering hooks to the body whenever Vizcarrondo tried to come in close range. Smith used his body shots to set up clean shots to the head but Vizcarrondo fired back in exchanges. Smith displayed solid footwork that allowed him to change the angle on the inside. Smith also displayed a willingness to work from close range as the body shots wore Vizcarrondo down. Smith stopped Vizcarrondo in the third round with a barrage of punches against the ropes.
Smith won by TKO in the third round
Jasmine Hampton vs. Agustina Vazquez
Hampton’s sharp jab allowed her to control the range and follow up with clean, accurate combinations to the body and head. Hampton displayed great punch placement that kept Vazquez on the defensive throughout the fight. The difference in speed was too much for Vazquez. Hampton stopped Vazquez in the fifth round after landing a barrage of punches.
Hampton won by TKO in the fifth round
Savannah Tini vs. Vaida Masiokatie
Tini used consistent pressure and head movement to walk the taller Masiokatie down. Tini had success landing combinations early in the fight that stunned Masiokatie. Masiokatie had more success in the later rounds but Tini’s switch-hitting style was too much to overcome.
Tini won by UD: 79-73, 78-74, 79-73
Jaquan McElroy vs. Andre Johnson Jr.
Both fighters displayed great athleticism and punch placement from the opening round. The four-round bout started out competitive as Johnson had a good opening round but McElroy found the mark from the second round and beyond. McElroy became more aggressive and found success wearing Johnson down with consistent pressure. McElroy landed clean and powerful shots that rocked Johnson.
McElroy won by UD: 39-37, 39-37, 40-36
Shannel Butler vs. Danila Ramos
Butler was measured, sharp and elusive but Ramos brought punch volume and relentlessness. The fight saw good pace and action as Butler’s accuracy, combinations and counterpunching allowed her to control the fight.
Butler won by UD: 80-72, 80-72, 79-73