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Forbes
4 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Claressa Shields Called Out by Franchón Crews: 'What Are We Doing?'
Claressa Shields has smashed her way through the current crop of heavyweight contenders and even called out 47-year-old pioneer Laila Ali. But her biggest potential challenge for the undisputed women's heavyweight title isn't a retired legend—it's someone she knows very well. Franchón Crews-Dezurn, a former undisputed champion at super middleweight, has long shown Shields respect. The two have even referred to each other as sisters. But Crews-Dezurn wants her shot, and she's tired of being dismissed and deprioritized. 'Been at 168 my whole career,' she told me via text. 'I'll gladly come to heavyweight to fight. What are we doing?' I spoke to Crews-Dezurn, her promoter Dmitriy Salita, and her manager Peter Kahn on Wednesday. All three made one thing clear: Crews-Dezurn deserves to be Shields' next opponent. Kahn even said he was under the impression that the fight was next. Shields last fought in July, successfully defending her title with a lopsided unanimous decision win over Lani Daniels at Little Caesars Arena in her home state of Michigan. Crews-Dezurn was in the building, having been told she would get a faceoff opportunity with Shields after the bout. That moment never came. Shields later explained, 'That was my moment. I can have that.' The post-fight spotlight, she said, was hers—and she opted not to share it. Behind the scenes, it also marked the end of her longtime promotional relationship with Salita. Shields is now a promotional free agent. Crews-Dezurn took to social media afterward to express her frustration with the situation. Though she and Shields appeared to patch things up publicly, Crews-Dezurn still feels she's not being given her due—and she's not about to let the issue go without getting the fight she believes she's earned, along with the compensation that should come with it. When I asked if she felt dismissed by Shields, Crews-Dezurn didn't hesitate. 'Yes—her, and by others as well,' she said. 'All the girls from 160 and up that have juice—up-and-comers and those who claim to be the best. [Shadasia] Green, [Savannah] Marshall, Shields, and whoever else. I'm the most consistent, and I've been here—still here. I want to fight, and I deserve to be paid properly too.' The history between Shields and Crews-Dezurn runs deep. The two met in their respective professional debuts back in November 2016, with Shields winning a four-round unanimous decision. That was nearly nine years ago. The question now is whether a rematch plays out the same way. Based on pedigree, size, skills, and intangibles, no fighter in the world is better positioned to challenge Shields at heavyweight—or potentially even beat her. Crews-Dezurn is known for her grit, her ability to thrive in close quarters, and her willingness to drag opponents into deep waters. But the opportunity has to materialize. 'I know who I am and what I can do with the right circumstances,' she said. 'Being as though I still find a way to win even in messed-up circumstances, I can agree. In regards to her—the girls she's fought had ample time, resources, and support to prepare to fight her. Unfortunately, people are going off a four-round fight I took off the couch on two-and-a-half weeks' notice.' 'Every fight we've had has been competitive. She's gotten decisions over me, but I've never gotten my ass beat. In fact, some argue I beat her before in the amateurs. Politics and BS have plagued my career, but it's cool. I'm just trusting my journey and doing my thing.' While Shields is smartly mapping out her future with financial goals in mind—as she should—there's still a lingering question around the decision to invite Crews-Dezurn and others to Detroit only to leave them with no real clarity on next steps. 'I felt disrespected as a world champion and business owner,' Crews-Dezurn said. 'I was in one city handling business for my two upcoming NYFW showcases and got called to take care of my boxing business—only to be made an extra in the 'Claressa Show.' I support her and chose to support her from afar because she's killing it, and I'm killing it in my lane.' She continued: 'The necessary steps have been made to make this happen. I signed with Salita under the basis that we would fight. So to go out to Detroit and have an unpleasant experience really frustrated me. I'm intentional with my time.' Her frustration wasn't just about the lack of a faceoff—it was also about the optics. 'The other signee, Che, was there being interviewed and speaking like she's going to fight her next—so if that's the plan, I didn't need to be there. I'll beat her too. Shields is talking about fighting Green—I've beaten her and made her have a mental breakdown. Marshall? I felt I won that fight. She stayed out the ring for two years after me.' Crews-Dezurn isn't shy about how she sees herself in the current landscape. 'I know I'm a problem—especially when I'm on. It's high risk for Shields and all of them. When I debuted against Shields, I bet on myself—and that turned into undisputed champion, unified champion, longest-reigning champion. I've paid my dues. I shouldn't be disrespected like how boxing is doing.' 'They want the best fighting the best—I am one of the best. A true champion that got it out the mud, off the muscle. Been at 168 my whole career. I'll gladly come to heavyweight to fight. What are we doing?' If we're being honest, Shields is running out of legitimate heavyweight challengers. She'll either need to come down in weight or fight someone like Crews-Dezurn soon. To be clear: Shields has never had a reputation for ducking challenges. But if this fight doesn't happen soon, whispers could easily turn into outright claims. 'Franchón Crews is one of the best fighters in the world,' Salita said. 'When you strip away the spin and bias, she stands out as the biggest and most challenging fight for Claressa. This isn't speculation—it's proven history. In one of the toughest pro debuts in boxing history, these two champions faced each other, and both went on to become dominant forces in the sport. This is a clash between two elite world champions, each with a track record of stepping up to fight the very best.' A Shields-Crews-Dezurn matchup would have something many of Shields' recent fights haven't—two fighters with name recognition and championship credibility. 'Franchón's legacy in the sport is already cemented,' Kahn added. 'She has already had a Hall of Fame career. Becoming a two-time undisputed champion will be the icing on the cake. I know what she is capable of, and I believe the timing is right for her to pull the upset of all upsets.' Maybe we'll get the chance to find out if he's right.
Forbes
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Boxing Fight Card: Undercard
FLINT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 02: Claressa Shields reacts at the end of the tenth round against ... More Danielle Perkins during their undisputed heavyweight title bout on February 02, 2025 at Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan. (Photo by) Claressa Shields, the undefeated and undisputed women's heavyweight boxing champion, puts all of her titles on the line this weekend when she faces Lani Daniels at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Shields, a former undisputed champ at middleweight and light heavyweight, became the undisputed heavyweight titleholder earlier this year. Daniels is the current IBF light heavyweight champ and former IBF heavyweight titleholder. We look at the undercard for the Shields vs. Daniels boxing event, which is promoted by Salita Promotions and streams on DAZN. Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Full Fight Card Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Main Event Claressa Shields (16-0) vs. Lani Daniels (11-2-2): 10 rounds, for Shields' undisputed heavyweight championship Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Undercard (DAZN) Samantha Worthington (11-0-0) vs. Victoire Piteau (14-2-0): 10 rounds, for the vacant WBA women's junior welterweight interim title Caroline Veyre (9-1) vs. Licia Boudersa (24-3-2): 10 rounds, featherweight Pryce Taylor (8-0-0) vs. Robert Simms (12-4-1): Eight rounds, heavyweight Tony Harrison (29-4-1) vs. Edward Ulloa Diaz: 10 rounds, middleweight Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Undercard (YouTube) Leon Lawson III (17-1-0) vs. Ryan Wilczak (11-1-0): Eight rounds, middleweight Da'Velle Smith (12-0-0) vs. Martez McGregor (9-8-0): Eight rounds, super middleweight Cameran Pankey (11-1-0) vs. Dominique Griffin (6-9-2): Six rounds, featherweight Jaquan McElroy (2-0-0) vs. Joshua Flores (5-6-0): Four rounds, middleweight Kahmel Makled (2-0-0) vs. Devario Hauser (0-0-0): Four rounds, light heavyweight Sardius Simmons (1-0-0) vs. Demetrius Banks (13-16-2): Four rounds, heavyweight Samantha Worthington Vs. Victoire Piteau FLINT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 02: Vaida Masiokaite (L) and Samantha Worthington fight during the third ... More round of their women's super lightweight bout on February 02, 2025 at Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan. (Photo by) Samantha Worthington was the first female boxer signed by T-Rex Promotions, the company headed by Claressa Shields. That signing, which is a co-promotion with Salita Promotions, took place in June 2024. At the time, Worthington was 8-0 with six knockouts. "The super lightweight division of women's boxing is one of the most competitive,' said Dmitriy Salita at the time, 'and Samantha will be a great addition to make the division even more diverse and exciting. She will bring a strong U.S. presence and be a new face on the global stage of women's boxing.' Today, Worthington is 11-0 with seven KOs. She is coming off a unanimous decision win over Vaida Masiokaite on the undercard of Shields' February event. 'I feel so confident that I'm more than ready to make a statement at this level, and that statement will be made in the ring July 26, at Little Caesar's Arena,' Worthington said of Saturday's fight. 'The super lightweight division isn't ready for 'The Heat' and I'm about to show exactly why I belong at the top.' Victoire Piteau is riding a five-fight winning streak heading into Saturday's event. She is coming off a November 2024 unanimous decision win over Ioana Fecioru. 'My ambition is to conquer the most prestigious fights and win the most iconic titles in the world of boxing,' said Piteau. 'To get there, I will give everything—my strength, my courage, and my unwavering determination. I can't wait to fight in the United States against Samantha Worthington. From now on, I continue writing my story in the United States, ready to win with heart, fierce determination, and the utmost respect for this sport.' Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Fight Card Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025 Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Fight Card Time: 8:00 p.m. ET Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Fight Card Location: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Fight Card How to Watch Or Stream: DAZN Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Fight Card Streaming Cost: $29.99 per month $19.99 per month for a one-year subscription $224.99 for 12-months access (pay in full up front) DAZN is currently having a (limited time) 30 percent off sale on two of its offerings: $13.99 per month for a one-year subscription $157.49 for 12-months access (pay in full up front) Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels FLINT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 02: Claressa Shields arrives for her undisputed heavyweight title bout ... More against Danielle Perkins on February 02, 2025 at Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan. (Photo by) Shields (16-0-0) is the most decorated women's boxer in history. A two-time Olympic gold medal winner, the 30-year-old from Flint Michigan, turned pro in November 2016. In her fourthpro fight, Shields earned the WBC and IBF super middleweight belts with a TKO win over Nikki Adler. Two fights after that, Shields won the vacant WBA and inaugural IBF middleweight titles with a decision victory over Hanna Gabriels. She added the WBC middleweight crown in November 2018 with a decision over Hannah Rankin. Then, in her ninth pro fight, Shields picked up the WBO middleweight belt with a 2019 decision over Christina Hammer. With that victory, Shields became the undisputed middleweight champ. In January 2020, Shields moved down to junior middleweight to face Ivana Habazin for the vacant WBC and WBO titles in that weight division. Shields won that contest via unanimous decision. Then, in March 2021, Shields became the undisputed junior middleweight champ when she defeated Marie-Eve Dicaire via unanimous decision. Shields then defended her middleweight titles three times between February 2022 and June 2023. In July 2024, Shields moved up in weight to face Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse. Shields won that fight by second-round TKO to become the WBC and WBF heavyweight champ. She was also named the WBO light heavyweight titleholder. In her most recent outing, Shields went 10 rounds with Danielle Perkins to become the undisputed heavyweight champ. ESPN has Shields ranked as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in women's boxing. Daniels is the No. 1 ranked women's light heavyweight according to ESPN. The 37-year-old New Zealander turned pro in 2017. In her first attempt to win the WBO light heavyweight title, Daniels fell short, falling to Geovana Peres by decision in 2019. That matchup was a rematch of a 2018 scrap, which Peres won by split decision. Those losses remain the only blemishes on Daniels's record. In May 2023, Daniels earned the vacant IBF heavyweight belt with a unanimous decision over Alrie Meleisea. She has defended that belt once before dropping to light heavyweight, where she won the vacant IBF light heavyweight crown with a majority decision over Desley Robinson. Daniels defended her light heavyweight title in September 2024, beating Bolatito Oluwole by unanimous decision. Daniels has never fought outside of New Zealand. Claressa Shields Tags 3 Legends In Latest Callout Claressa Shields On Lani Daniels Fight DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JULY 27: Claressa Shields poses for the crowd during her ring walk before her ... More WBC WBO lightweight championship fight at Little Caesars Arena on July 27, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by) 'I am so excited to be defending my Undisputed Heavyweight World Championship in Detroit at Little Caesars Arena,' said Shields. 'My fights continue to get bigger and better. My opponent, Lani from New Zealand is coming to bring all the smoke, or so she says! This fight will be a sellout of 19,000 so get your tickets and be there to witness herstory on July 26 with the GWOAT.' Lani Daniels on Claressa Shields Fight 'To be the best you have to fight the best. I te pō pouri rawa, ka ara te marama, ā, ka kitea te pono,' said Daniels in her native Māori. 'On the darkest nights the full moon will rise and the truth will be revealed." We will have more on the Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels as fight night nears.
CBC
05-03-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Canadian Tammara Thibeault launching pro boxing career at time of profound change for fight industry
Social Sharing When Tammara Thibeault is on a roll, she punctuates her thoughts with English phrases she didn't learn growing up in Shawinigan, Que. She might say, "d'you know woh I mean?" just to make sure you know what she means. Or she'll finish an occasional sentence with "innit?", short of "isn't It?", which our friends in England employ the way Canadians use "eh?" The speaker isn't really asking a question. Just making an observation. If you have lost track of the 28-year-old Thibeault since her first-round exit at the Olympic boxing tournament in Paris last summer, she hasn't disappeared. She just moved to Sheffield, England to immerse herself in academic work where she's pursuing her masters degree in urban design and urban planning. Before she found urban planning, Thibeault studied linguistics, which means she's aware of how a transatlantic move, and immersion in a new dialect, would shape her spoken English. And boxing? The 2023 Pan Am Games champion is still immersed in the sweet science, training daily at the Steel City gym in Sheffield as she embarks on a pro career that brings her back to Canada this week. Friday night at the Toronto Casino Resort, Thibeault takes on Sonya Dreiling in a six-round bout on the undercard of a lightweight clash between Lucas Bahdi of Niagara Falls and Ryan James Racaza of the Philippines. For Thibeault, the bout is a showcase, a homecoming, and an overdue reunion with some other decorated Canadian amateurs, like Bahdi and Toronto's Sara Bailey, now chasing professional success. "I get to come home, and I'm proud to represent Canada on home soil," said Thibeault, who is 1-0 as a professional. "I get to fight alongside old teammates. Lucas Bahdi. Sara Bailey. We all travelled together." Thibeault is launching her career at a time of profound change for the professional boxing industry. WATCH | Why Thibeault turned pro: Canadian Olympic boxer Tammara Thibeault turns pro 3 months ago Duration 7:26 Follow the money On the men's side, promoters and top performers have followed the money to Saudi Arabia, where Turki Alalshikh, the sport's newest, richest power broker, has bankrolled star-studded events. Last month Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, the super middleweight champion and the sport's biggest pay-per-view draw, signed a four-fight deal with Riyadh Season, the Saudi cultural festival pumping its sponsorship dollars into boxing, marking another significant shift in the sport's balance of power. Meanwhile, some North American promoters are investing heavily in women's boxing, raising the sport's profile and pay scale, and benefitting several Canadian fighters. Michigan-based Salita Promotions is a case in point. Regardless of gender their highest-profile performer is Claressa Shields, the two-time Olympic gold medallist and undefeated pro world champ. In 2022 Shields defeated Savannah Marshall in a middleweight title bout, one of just two women's fights in history to offer both headliners seven-figure guarantees. But her promoter, Dmitry Salita has also matched Shields with Canadian opponents — Marie-Eve Dicaire in 2021 and Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse in last summer — and in January, Salita added Caroline Veyre of Montreal to his stable. Another example is Most Valuable Promotions, the outfit founded in 2021 by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, and the company behind the other multimillion-dollar women's bout, the 2022 showdown between Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor at Madison Square Gardens. They signed Thibeault to a promotional contract after the Paris Olympics, and they're staging Friday's fight card, in collaboration with Ajax-based United Promotions. Bidarian, who grew up in Toronto, says the company's boxing braintrust identified Thibeault as a future star. Her amateur accolades signaled a successful pro career, and her outside-the-ring interests hint at crossover appeal. "The ideal world is, you have the skills, and you have the skill set to sell the skills," Bidarian said. "A perfect world is, you have those, and you're an unbelievably accomplished individual outside the ring. That's what Tamm is. That's what has me so excited." Focus on women's boxing Biarian says MVP's focus on women's boxing stems from his own time as an executive at the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which coincided with Ronda Rousey's run as the top-selling, highest-earning athlete in the organization. So while closing the pay gap between men's and women's stars is one of MVP's goals, the promotion is also working to normalize both sets of athletes using the same rules. In mixed martial arts, men and women both fight five-minute rounds. But where rules mandate three-minute rounds for men's boxers, women generally contest two-minute rounds. In 2023 MVP introduced three-minute rounds for women's bouts, starting with Serrano's title defense against Danila Ramos. "This is history," Serrano told ESPN afterward. "We made history together and I'm just excited to see the future of women's boxing." MVP's immediate plans for Thibeault include three-minute rounds – the round length employed for her pro debut, a four-round decision over fellow Canadian Natasha Spence. Medium term, they intend to feature her on the undercard of their higher-profile events, to increase her visibility. But long term, the lack of a middle class among women's boxers complicates the process of finding appropriate opponents. Thibeault ranked 6th Thibeault, for example, is the sixth-ranked middleweight in the world, according to Boxrec, the boxing stats database. Her opponent, Dreiling, is rated number 17, but the entire weight class includes just 40 fighters worldwide. In contrast, the men's middleweight division includes 1,994 registered pros. A matchup between the sixth and 17th-ranked men's fighters is a high-stakes showdown with world title implications. On the women's side it's an undercard bout between Thibeault, a prospect with a single pro fight to her credit, and Dreiling, who has a 5-7 record and a four-fight losing streak. That lack of depth helps explain why Shields has won world titles in five weight classes. She needs to move between categories to find a challenge. But that set up also puts talented prospects like Thibeault in a difficult position: fatten your record against overmatched challengers, head straight into a title fight without appropriate seasoning, or find a way to lure other contenders into about. "The onus on us is to put Tamm in positions where opponents are willing to take that risk," Bidarian said. And Thibeault's main challenge these days? Managing her time and energy to give both her education and her boxing career the effort they deserve. Thibeault says she uses a spreadsheet to help her allocate hours to each pursuit, but she has also learned that balance also means prioritizing one over the other for stretches. Right now, she says boxing is job one. But that'll change. "Sometimes you've gotta put boxing first," Thibeault said. "Once this fight is over I'm going to give it a good push for my masters, and put education first until the next opportunity."
