DETROIT – Claressa Shields’ bout against longtime rival Franchon Crews-Dezurn on Feb. 22 at Little Caesars Arena drew nearly 18,000 spectators, which is the most in the venue’s history for a boxing event.
The event promoted by Salita Promotions in partnership with Wynn Records and co-promoted by 313 Presents was a star-studded evening in front of a packed house at Little Caesars Arena.
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Shields broke her own attendance record set in July 2025 against Lani Daniels, where 15,600 tickets were sold.
Shields (18-0,3KOs) delivered a masterclass performance over longtime rival Crews-Dezurn (10-3-2) to retain her Undisputed Heavyweight crown via 10-round unanimous decision.
From the opening bell, the rematch erupted into immediate, high-level warfare, two champions meeting center ring with vengeance, pride and undisputed gold on the line.
Franchon Crews-Dezurn forced Claressa Shields to fight from the first second, setting a relentless tempo and refusing to give ground, proving herself a worthy dance partner on the sport’s biggest stage.
Shields, however, proved to be the sharper technician, establishing control behind a piston-like jab and punishing left hook that repeatedly split Crews-Dezurn’s guard.
Shields repeatedly found a home for her signature overhand right, which caught Crews-Dezurn in punch exchanges.
By the second round, Shields’ punch output was already creating visible damage, yet Crews-Dezurn continued pressing forward, answering exchanges and keeping the fight fiercely competitive.
As the bout progressed, Shields’ comfort at heavyweight became increasingly evident, unleashing rapid-fire combinations in eight- and nine-punch bursts. Shields surpassed 100 power punches landed by the fourth round.
Still, Crews-Dezurn’s resilience never wavered. Bloodied but unbowed, she forced Shields to dig deep and earn every round.
Shields’ conditioning and ring generalship ultimately proved decisive, as she controlled distance and invested steadily to the body before closing strong in the championship rounds.
The body blows paid dividends in the later rounds, causing Crews-Dezurn’s punch output to decrease and appear more tired than Shields.
When the final bell sounded, both women stood toe-to-toe one last time before embracing and acknowledging respect for each other.
Judges scored the bout 100-90 across the board.
“This fight felt like I took my time,” said Shields. “Franchon is tough, she really is the Heavy Hitting Diva. This was the best fight I’ve ever fought in my career. I have real love for Franchon and I don’t have any hate in me for her, ever. I showcased my skill tonight. I want to thank all 18,000 fans that came out tonight. I want to thank my team, my coaches and everyone who was part of this victory.”
“I’ve always had real love and respect for Claressa,” said Crews-Dezurn. “We’ve shared the ring more than once, and that means something. Whenever the call comes, I’m always going to step up and take the fight, that’s who I am. I put everything on the line tonight, and I truly believe fights like this push women’s boxing forward. We’re showing the world what’s possible. Before I leave this sport, I’m going to make sure I leave my mark on it, and tonight proved that.”
With the win, Shields continues building on a historic résumé as the first boxer — male or female — to hold undisputed status in three weight divisions. Saturday’s performance showcased not just power, but maturity, pacing, and elite-level conditioning.
The championship headliner capped a stacked telecast that featured light heavyweight standout Atif Oberlton (15-0, 13 KO’s) scoring a first-round TKO stoppage, Danielle Perkins (6-1, 3 KO’s) claiming the WBA Light Heavyweight World Title with a sixth-round KO, and unbeaten heavyweight Pryce Taylor (11-0, 7 KO’s) delivering a statement TKO victory, underscoring a night that blended championship stakes, explosive finishes and Detroit fight-night energy from top to bottom.
In the co-main event, rising light heavyweight standout Oberlton stopped Joe George Jr. in a unique way that stunned the boxing world.
Oberlton came out sharp and aggressive, pressing the action early and forcing George to absorb heavy shots in close quarters. Towards the end of the first round, there appeared to be a clash of heads that hurt George Jr. but he continued until the end of the round.
Following the round, George collapsed on his stool in a frightening moment that immediately drew concern from the arena. Medical personnel responded swiftly, and George was assisted from the ring before being transported for evaluation. He was later reported to be in stable condition.
Salita Promotions President Dmitriy Salita praised Oberlton’s trajectory while expressing concern for George.
“Atif is a superstar in the making. His walkout, his personality, it shines through the screens and to the fans,” said Salita. “Unfortunately, we wish his opponent well, and from what I understand, he’s okay. The fight didn’t go as long as we anticipated, so Atif didn’t get to showcase all his skills to the world. But I believe he’s just a fight or two away from being recognized as a real force in the division.”
Salita also highlighted the statement victory by Danielle Perkins, who delivered a dramatic knockout to capture the WBA Light Heavyweight World Title earlier in the night.
“What a great performance by Danielle Perkins. She cemented herself as one of the biggest names in women’s boxing, that was an exciting knockout,” Salita said. “She fits right in with the top names like Shadasia Green, Savannah Marshall, Raquel Miller and Franchon Crews-Dezurn. She’s talented, determined, and now a great world champion.”
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, which helped her build a lead.
Perkins knocked Kenneally down with a thunderous left hand and lead hook combination in the sixth round. A bloody Kenneally got up but the referee stopped the bout.
Heavyweight contender Pryce Taylor (11-0, 7 KO’s) stopped James Evans in five rounds to remain unbeaten.
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.
Flint native, Sardius Simmons (6-0, 4 KO’s) defeated Dylan Potter by unanimous decision (40-36 across the board) in a four-round heavyweight bout.
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’ 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 with Simmons sweeping the scorecards.
Edith Matthysse secured the WBA interim championship in an upset against Samantha Worthington. Worthington retired on her stool after Round 8, surrendering her interim title.
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.
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.
According to reports, Worthington suffered a slight brain bleed, so stopping the fight prevented further damage.
Detroit’s Lance Smith defeated Jorge Vizcarrondo by TKO in the third round.
Smith utilized thunderous hooks to the body throughout the bout. 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.
Detroit’s Jasmine Hampton defeated Agustina Vazquez by TKO in the fifth round.
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.
Shelby Township’s Savannah Tini defeated Vaida Masiokatie by unanimous decision.
Tini used consistent pressure and head movement to walk the taller Masiokatie down.
Tini had success landing combinations early in the fight. Masiokatie had more success in the later rounds but Tini’s switch-hitting style was too much to overcome.
Flint native Jaquan McElroy defeated Andre Johnson by unanimous decision.
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 (5-0, 2 KOs) remained unbeaten in his professional career.
In the first fight of the night, Shannel Buter defeated Danila Ramos by unanimous decision to become the new WBV International Featherweight Champion.
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.
The event reinforced Detroit’s place as a thriving boxing hub and underscored Shields’ ability to not only headline but elevate an entire card. With live performances, celebrities in attendance and a fight performance that blended violence with virtuosity, Shields once again proved why she calls herself “The GWOAT” and why she is can’t-miss TV.
Howard Handler, President of 313 Presents, expressed his excitement for the success of the event.
“Tonight was everything we hoped for and more,” said Handler. “A sold‑out, electric crowd witnessed two of the very best in the sport leave it all in the ring, and Claressa Shields and Franchon Crews‑Dezurn delivered a fight worthy of this stage,” said 313 Presents President Howard Handler.
“Detroit showed once again that it’s a world‑class fight city, and partnering with Salita Promotions and Wynn Records to create nights like this reminds us how powerful live sports can be for the city and its legacy.”
Reflecting on the magnitude of the event, Salita called the night historic for both Detroit and the sport.
“Big time boxing is back in the city of Detroit. Tonight was absolutely historic for women’s boxing, maybe the biggest ever, with celebrities, athletes, politicians and fans supporting an undisputed heavyweight world title fight in one of the most prestigious arenas in the United States. The fight was epic, two future Hall of Famers putting it all on the line. Claressa Shields believed in herself before women’s boxing was a business. She became a two-time Olympic gold medalist and now she’s selling out arenas.”