The GWOAT Prevails: Shields Dominates Crews-Dezurn in Detroit Rematch

Read Time:2 Minute, 12 Second

The “GWOAT” (Greatest Woman Of All Time) status remains unchallenged. On Sunday night, February 22, 2026, Claressa Shields returned to her home state of Michigan and delivered a masterclass at Little Caesars Arena, defeating long-time rival Franchón Crews-Dezurn to retain her Undisputed Women’s Heavyweight Championship.

The victory was more than just a title defense; it was a full-circle moment nearly ten years in the making, as both women made their professional debuts against one another in 2016.

A Clinical Homecoming

The GWOAT puts on another clinic in the ring vs Crews-Dezurn 🍿 pic.twitter.com/CEI9xMh5pF

— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) February 23, 2026

Shields (18–0, 3 KOs) entered the ring under the weight of a historic $8 million contract—the largest in the history of women’s boxing—, and she fought like a woman worth every penny.

The Fight Flow: From the opening bell, Shields utilized her superior hand speed and footwork to neutralize the aggressive, high-pressure style of Crews-Dezurn. While “The Heavy Hitting Diva” attempted to turn the bout into a rough-and-tumble brawl, Shields remained composed, landing sharp counter-punches and body shots with surgical precision.
The Result: The scorecards reflected Shields’ total control of the ring, with all three judges awarding her a unanimous decision victory.
Bad Blood Settled: The buildup to the fight was marred by a heated weigh-in scuffle that nearly saw the bout canceled due to a minor ankle injury suffered by Crews-Dezurn. However, once the bell rang, the technical gap between the two became the primary story.

The Undisputed Standard

With this win, Shields further cements her unprecedented legacy in the sport.

Still Undefeated: Shields moves to 18–0 as a professional.
History Maker: Already the only boxer (male or female) to be undisputed in three different weight classes, she has now successfully defended the heavyweight crown for the second time.
Detroit’s Hero: This was Shields’ second consecutive sell-out at Little Caesars Arena, proving her massive draw in her home state.
“I told y’all, she’s elite, but I’m super elite,” Shields said in the ring post-fight. “I’ve been the GWOAT for a long time, and tonight I proved it again in front of my city.”

What’s Next for the GWOAT?

With the heavyweight division cleared out, the boxing world is once again buzzing about a potential “super-fight” against Lani Daniels or even a cross-over return to PFL (Mixed Martial Arts) later this year. Regardless of the discipline, Shields has made it clear that her 2026 will be defined by the pursuit of the “biggest checks and the biggest challenges.”