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Eric WoodyardFeb 22, 2026, 11:42 PM ET
- Eric Woodyard covers the Detroit Lions for ESPN. He joined ESPN in September 2019 as an NBA reporter dedicated to the Midwest region before switching to his current role in April 2021. The Flint, Mich. native is a graduate of Western Michigan University and has authored/co-authored three books: “Wasted,” “Ethan’s Talent Search” and “All In: The Kelvin Torbert Story”. He is a proud parent of one son, Ethan.
DETROIT — Undisputed heavyweight champion Claressa Shields and longtime rival Franchon Crews-Dezurn promised an action-packed fight Sunday night — and they delivered, with Shields defending her crown via unanimous decision at Little Caesars Arena.
All three judges scored the 10-round bout 100-90.
Shields, fighting at home, improved to 18-0 (2 KOs). Crews-Dezurn, who holds a super middleweight title, fell to 10-3.
“I had to take my time tonight,” Shields said. “That’s one of the toughest fights I’ve been in during my pro career. She hits hard these days.”
It was a rematch of their 2016 pro debut in which Shields earned a four-round decision victory.
Both fighters pressed the action from the opening round, but Shields, ESPN’s No. 1-ranked pound-for-pound women’s boxer, began to wear down her opponent by the fifth round.
The victory marked Shields’ second defense of her undisputed heavyweight crown, which she won in February 2025 in a unanimous decision over Danielle Perkins.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
