Undisputed champion Claressa Shields returns to action this weekend as she runs back her debut fight against Franchon Crews-Dezurn at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
Crews-Dezurn (10-2, 2 KOs) will be looking for revenge as they meet again on Sunday live on DAZN, with Shields (17-0, 3 KOs) victorious when they first fought 10 years ago.
The ‘GWOAT’ remains unbeaten since her professional debut in November 2016 and has faced some of the sport’s best across a range of weight classes.
Fighting out of Michigan, she picked up her first world titles in just her fourth fight.
One year on from her first world title victory, Shields moved down to middleweight and beat Hanna Gabriels for the vacant IBF title before unifying with the WBC just five months later.
The 30-year-old has held titles across four weight classes but has campaigned at heavyweight over the last 19 months, picking up three wins — including a second-round stoppage over Venessa Lepage-Joanisse on her heavyweight debut.
She was last in action seven months ago, beating Lani Daniels over 10 rounds to defend her undisputed crown.
Her opponent, Crews-Dezurn, is no pushover despite already having a loss to Shields on her record.
Their first fight took place at super middleweight over four rounds, providing very little to draw from ahead of this weekend’s main event.
‘The Heavy Hitting Diva’ is no stranger to causing an upset. That was evident in her win over Most Valuable Promotions’ Shadasia Green, whom she bettered over 10 rounds.
Last in action eight months ago, Crews-Dezurn defeated Citlalli Ortiz over the distance.
Prediction: Shields should prove too experienced and too well-rounded for Crews-Dezurn and can take a points victory.
Atif Oberlton vs Joseph George
The co-main event sees Atif Oberlton take on Joseph George (13-1, 8 KOs) at light heavyweight over 10 rounds.
Oberlton (14-0, 12 KOs) enters the contest unbeaten, with both men having 14 professional fights to date.
Prediction: Oberlton enters as the clear favourite. His activity and proven power should see him stop George, particularly given the latter’s inactivity.
Remaining Undercard
Samantha Worthington (12-0, 7 KOs) enters her 13th professional bout against Edith Soledad Matthysse (20-16-1, 3 KOs).
Despite Matthysse’s greater experience, Worthington should have enough to secure a points victory.
Danielle Perkins (5-1, 2 KOs) returns for the first time since suffering a unanimous decision defeat to Shields.
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She faces Che Kenneally (5-0, 5 KOs) and Perkins may find herself on the wrong side of another decision over 10 rounds.
Shannel Butler (6-0, 3 KOs) should have enough to cruise to victory against Danila Ramos (14-4, 1 KO).
Unbeaten heavyweight Pryce Taylor (10-0, 6 KOs) returns to action just two months after his last outing.
In just over three years as a professional, Taylor has amassed 10 wins and could record a seventh stoppage against James Evans (9-2-1, 7 KOs) in Detroit.
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Savannah Tini (6-0, 2 KOs) enters her bout on the back of four consecutive unanimous decision victories and could secure a fifth against the seasoned Vaida Masiokaite (11-29-6, 1 KO) in the first eight-round contest of her career.
Lance Smith (5-0, 4 KOs) boasts an 80% knockout ratio and may extend that this weekend when he faces Jorge Omar Vizcarrondo Pacheco (2-1-2, 2 KOs) in his second six-round contest.
Jasmine Hampton (1-0, 1 KO) looks to build on her impressive debut last year, where she won inside 33 seconds.
She may secure another early stoppage against Agustina Solange Vazquez (6-6-2, 1 KO).
Heavyweight Sardius Simmons (6-0, 3 KOs) should claim a routine win over Dylan Potter (2-2-1, 0 KOs).
Jaquan McElroy (4-0, 2 KOs) could stop Andre Johnson (2-4-1, 2 KOs) in their scheduled four-round contest.
