Salita Promotions Sets Shields-Dezurn II for Detroit in February
Claressa Shields returns home to Detroit on February 22 for an undisputed heavyweight title rematch against longtime rival Franchon Crews-Dezurn. A decade after their pro debuts, both women meet as established champions in a high-stakes battle to close out a massive start to the 2026 boxing year.
On Sunday, February 22, 2026, all eyes will be on Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, as Claressa Shields (17-0, 3 KOs) comes face-to-face with a familiar foe — Franchon Crews-Dezurn (10-2, 2 KOs). The two will meet in a highly anticipated rematch for the undisputed heavyweight crown.
“I’m honored to return to Detroit to defend my undisputed heavyweight world championship,” Shields continued. “Selling out Little Caesars Arena was a dream, and my fans made that come true. Fighting in Michigan motivates me, and it also puts pressure on me because I never want to fail them.”
Shields and Crews-Dezurn are no strangers. In fact, they're friends and have been for a decade. Their friendly rivalry dates back to 2016, when the two made their pro debuts on the undercard of Andre Ward-Sergey Kovalev I. Shields emerged victorious and has gone on to win 18 world titles across five weight classes. Still, Crews-Dezurn is a champion in her own right. Despite losing her pro debut, she has gone on to win all four major titles in the super middleweight division and currently holds the WBC Super Middleweight Championship belt.
“In my first fight with Franchon I won a unanimous decision, but come February 22, I don’t have those same plans," Shields said. "I plan on putting Franchon Crews on her back and leaving with the KO. My last few fights, I was dealing with injuries, but now I’m 100 percent. Franchon is elite, but I am super elite, and I plan on proving that come fight night.”
“I’ve been waiting and working a long time for this moment, and we finally meet again," said Crews-Dezurn. “This time as established champions with great legacies. I’m daring to be even greater by going up in weight, strutting into hell so I can create my heaven. I’m a worldwide woman that’s good in any hood and can’t wait to give Detroit, along with the world, a great fight."
Crews-Dezurn II will wrap up a strong start to 2026 for the world of boxing. January will include a lightweight title fight featuring Andy Cruz and Raymond Muratalla, a PPV battle between Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson and a super welterweight unification bout with Xander Zayas and Abass Baraou. In addition to Crews-Dezurn II, February will also feature Ryan Garcia and Mario Barrios fighting for a welterweight title and potentially Diego Pacheco and Hamzah Sheeraz competing for a vacant super middleweight title.
