Shields defeats Crews Dezurn, keeps undisputed title

Claressa Shields (18-0, 3 KOs) defeated Franchon Crews Dezurn (10-3) via unanimous decision on Saturday night in Detriot and kept her undisputed heavyweight title.

Shields dominated the fight and in the end all judges scored the fight 100:90 in her favor.

“I felt like I had to take my time. Franchon hits hard and she’s tough and you got to be very tricky with her,” Shields said in her postfight interview. “She was trying to cause the upset today and got me with some shots, but Franchon is exactly who she thinks she is — ‘The Heavy Hitting Diva’ — and that’s one of the best fights that I’ve been in at my professional career, especially at 10 rounds. It was fun. I had to watch my ass every round.”

Dezurn was full of respect for Shields.

“She inspires me. She came in at a time where I was dominant and shook the table up,” Crews-Dezurn said. “When I’m seeing her, I’m like, ‘OK, that’s a point I could get to or that’s somebody who can keep fire under me,’ and it’s never a jealousy thing. I’m proud of her.”