DETROIT, MI (December 9, 2025) — The undefeated, undisputed, and undeniable face of women’s boxing is coming home. Claressa “The GWOAT” Shields (17-0, 3 KO’s) will return to the ring on Sunday, February 22, 2026, headlining a blockbuster night at Little Caesars Arena, where her last appearance drew a sold-out crowd. This time, she steps into a decade-long rivalry coming full circle: a long-anticipated rematch with Franchón Crews-Dezurn (10-2, 2 KO’s), the woman who shared her professional debut nearly 10 years ago.
The event is promoted by Salita Promotions in partnership with Wynn Records and co-promoted by 313 Presents. A special ticket pre-sale window opens on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 10 a.m. ET. Visit 313Presents.com and Ticketmaster.com and use the code GWOAT to purchase. Additional event details will be released in the coming weeks.
Shields will defend her Undisputed Heavyweight World Championship for the second time in her first fight since signing a historic $8 million deal with Salita Promotions and Wynn Records—the largest contract in women’s boxing history. The high-stakes showdown marks her official return to the promotional powerhouse and sets the stage for one of the most meaningful fights of her career.
The highly anticipated event takes place at Little Caesars Arena, doors open at 4 p.m. ET, and will stream live on the global leader of boxing, DAZN.
On November 19, 2016, two decorated amateurs, Claressa Shields and Franchón Crews-Dezurn made their simultaneous professional debuts against each other. Shields entered that moment fresh off winning back-to-back Olympic gold medals, becoming the first American boxer, male or female, to ever accomplish the feat. Their debuts unfolded on the undercard of Andre Ward vs. Sergey Kovalev, an Olympian-to-Olympian handoff that symbolized the path Shields was beginning as she stepped into the professional ranks. Shields won that night, launching a career that would redefine women’s boxing. Crews-Dezurn turned the loss into momentum, rebuilding herself into an undisputed world champion at Super Middleweight. Their stories diverged, but the tension of that shared beginning, and the unanswered question of what a rematch would look like, has persisted ever since.
CLARESSA SHIELDS:
“In 2016 I had just come off winning two Olympic gold medals, fresh out of the amateurs, and finding an opponent was tough, Franchón stepped in,” Shields said. “I’ve grown a lot since that first victory, going on to win nineteen world titles, the ESPY award, and countless other achievements, but me and Franchón have unfinished business that needs to be settled. She’s been poppin’ it like she can whoop me in a world championship fight. We went four rounds in our pro debut, and this fight will pick up from round five.”
“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.”
“In my first fight with Franchón I won a unanimous decision, but come February 22, I don’t have those same plans,” said Shields. I plan on putting Franchón Crews on her back and leaving with the KO. My last few fights, I was dealing with injuries, but now I’m 100 percent. Franchón is elite, but I am super elite, and I plan on proving that come fight night.”
FRANCHON CREWS-DEZURN:
“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. This is my sixth fight in a row on DAZN and I am grateful to be back once again with everything on the line and grateful to Salita Promotions and my manager Peter Kahn for getting this fight made.”
For Salita Promotions, this moment is equally full circle. Dmitriy Salita’s first fight with Shields took place that same night, the start of a partnership that would help establish her as a global force. Nearly a decade later, they reunite under the biggest deal in women’s boxing history, returning to the stage where Shields has become one of the sport’s most celebrated champions.
DMITRIY SALITA, President, SALITA PROMOTIONS:
“This fight represents everything Claressa Shields has stood for since day one, heart, courage, and a relentless commitment to greatness and equality for women all around the world, something she has championed since her very first day in the gym,” said Dmitriy Salita, President of Salita Promotions. “Nearly a decade ago, Claressa and Franchón stepped into the ring as two Olympians making their professional debuts. Since then, both have risen to become world champions and global forces in women’s boxing. Now, these two giants meet again under the largest contract in the history of the sport, in a matchup that carries international significance.”
“Our partnership with Wynn Records allows us to amplify Claressa’s reach and bring this historic moment to fans around the world,” Salita continued. “February 22 is more than a rematch — it is a landmark for our sport and a reflection of how far women’s boxing has come.”
RUBEN BRANSON, WYNN RECORDS:
“Claressa Shields represents everything Wynn Records stands for excellence, innovation, and breaking barriers,” said Ruben Branson. “Her $8 million deal isn’t just a milestone for women’s boxing, it’s a statement about what’s possible when talent meets vision. We’re proud to stand behind The GWOAT as she returns home to defend her title and continue rewriting history.”
PAPOOSE, WYNN RECORDS:
“This fight is more than just a rematch, it’s a moment for the culture. Claressa is the embodiment of greatness, discipline, and determination. She’s proven time and again that she’s not just the best in women’s boxing, she’s one of the best, period. February 22 is going to be exciting to watch, and Wynn Records is honored to be part of this historic chapter.”
HOWARD HANDLER, 313 PRESENTS:
“Claressa Shields is more than a champion—she’s the heartbeat of Detroit boxing,” said 313 Presents President Howard Handler. “Her last fight at Little Caesars Arena proved that she can electrify an entire city, and on Sunday, February 22, she’ll bring that energy back for a historic rematch with Franchón Crews-Dezurn. This is a full-circle moment, ten years in the making, and we’re proud to showcase it right here in Detroit.”
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ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS:
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including SHOWTIME, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.
Check the?Salita?Promotions?YOUTUBE CHANNEL?for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action.
ABOUT WYNN RECORDS:
Wynn Records is a full-service talent and music agency specializing in artist development, management, brand partnerships, distribution, marketing, and touring. With strong expertise in music administration, digital strategy, licensing, and industry trends, Wynn provides tailored career guidance to help clients grow and succeed. Rooted in innovation and long-term vision, the company empowers artists, creatives, and athletes to maximize their visibility, revenue, and impact.
ABOUT 313 PRESENTS:
313 Presents is Detroit’s premier live entertainment company. Inspired by the soul of Detroit, 313 Presents promotes and produces concerts, theatrical productions, sporting events and family shows at six world-class venues across southeast Michigan including Little Caesars Arena, the historic Fox Theatre featuring Proud Partner Comerica Bank, Comerica Park, Pine Knob Music Theatre Presented by Proud Partners United Wholesale Mortgage, Trinity Health and Ally, Meadow Brook Amphitheatre Presented by Oakland University Credit Union and Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre. Headquartered in The District Detroit, 313 Presents is a joint venture between Ilitch Sports + Entertainment and Pistons Sports & Entertainment. For additional information, visit 313Presents.com.
ABOUT DAZN:
DAZN, the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA), is creating the world’s biggest sports entertainment platform. A leading sports streaming service in Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Portugal, Japan, Taiwan, Canada, the US and UK, its wide range of content covers top-flight football from the world’s most popular competitions. DAZN’s football rights include Bundesliga, English Premier League, J.League, LALIGA, Ligue 1, Serie A, and the UEFA Champions League, making DAZN the largest broadcaster of football in Europe. DAZN is global home of women’s football, broadcasting the UEFA Women’s Champions League alongside top-tier domestic league and cup competitions.
DAZN’s portfolio features the biggest sports and leagues from around the world – Formula 1, NFL, NBA, MotoGP, and the best in boxing and MMA. As the global home of NFL Game Pass, it is the only place for fans outside of the USA to watch every NFL match live.
DAZN is building the ultimate sports entertainment service, where fans from across the globe can watch, read, bet, play, share, socialise, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet and on one app.
For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit?dazngroup.com.
