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Claressa Shields confirms she will leave the heavyweight division in favor of significant fights

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Claressa Shields beats Daniels to defend her heavyweight titles

Claressa Shields says she’s making more money in the heavyweight division than ever before, but she’s willing to lose weight for the right fights.

This Sunday, February 22, Shields will defend his undisputed heavyweight title against Franchón Crews-Dezurn at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, live on DAZN worldwide. It’s a rematch nearly a decade in the making and a highlight of fight week for the self-proclaimed “GWOAT.”

“Everything is going great. I’m very excited that fight week is finally here. I had a great camp,” Shields told World Boxing News.

“I always win my fights by KO or unanimous decision. But I trained really strenuous and I believe I can get a KO.”

Heavyweight Payday – but not permanently

Questions remain as to whether Shields will remain in the heavyweight division for the rest of his career, especially considering the financial benefits associated with the division.

“Will I stay at heavyweight for the rest of my career? Look, I wasn’t making much money compared to the money I’m making now at 175-pound heavyweight.

“I am ready to fight at 165, 163 for huge fights and even 160 for the middleweight championship.”

The statement confirms that Shields is not locked into one weight class. Heavyweight increased her earnings, but did not limit her ambitions.

Targets identified

Shields has made it clear that she has options in multiple divisions.

“I have my eye on everyone. I want to give the fans great fights. So me vs. Shadasia Greene. Me vs. Lauren Price. Me vs. Mikaela Mayer. One day, me vs. Amanda Nunes in a boxing match.”

Those names span weight classes and promotional deals, signaling that Shields is open to marquee fights outside of Detroit this weekend.

MVP and the business landscape

Shields also revealed that she almost signed with Most Valuable Promotions, praising their structure and the way they have raised the level of women’s boxing.

“I like what MVP is doing with his stable of players. I almost signed with them. They have a good system and have done a great job making Amanda Serrano a superstar.”

For now, we are focused on Sunday evening and defending the undisputed heavyweight crown.

But Shields made one thing clear – success in the heavyweight division has increased her impact, not restricted her future.

Paydays have changed. Her options are not.


About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN), boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

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Boxing

Jermell Charlo says Derrick James has changed with fame

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Image: Jermell Charlo says Derrick James changed as success grew

“Derrick James, he started getting a little more players and a little more buzz, and I feel like our communication has changed,” Charlo told Brian Custer.

Charlo said that as James built a larger stable, there was less hands-on time spent with him and more trying to control the gym environment. He claimed that James wanted things done his way, including telling players to remove dogs from the gym during training sessions and changing the atmosphere that helped build their success.

Charlo has been out of the ring since his loss to Saul Alvarez in 2023, and James recently split from Errol Spence Jr. A coach once considered one of the safest hands in the sport is suddenly facing public criticism from two of his biggest names.

“He wanted it his way,” Charlo said. “Coach needs us. Don’t overdo it, coach. Serene down, coach. I was your first champion.”

He also pointed to his camp leading up to the Alvarez fight, saying the support around him wasn’t the same when he needed it most.

“You don’t enter into a world title fight like that,” Charlo said.

Charlo still believes he can regain his spot in the junior middleweight division, and talks about a possible fight with Sebastian Fundora are ongoing later this year. His confidence hasn’t changed, but his patience with ancient alliances has noticeably changed. Sometimes a rift begins when success changes the room.

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Prince Naseem Hamed predicts Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight: ‘It’s going to sound crazy’

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Prince Naseem Hamed predicts Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua: “This is going to sound mad”

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua look set to face each other later this year in what could be one of the biggest British boxing events of all time.

Another British legend, Naseem Hamed, presented the course of the fight in a surprising way.

Fury had his ring returned within a a decision victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov earlier this monthshaking off ring rust at the age of 37 and allegedly preparing for a showdown with Joshua that the “Gypsy King” was set to take place this summer.

However, ‘AJ’ instead maintained that he would prefer a warm-up fight first, with the Londoner expected to return to action in July, ahead of a long-awaited meeting with his arch-rival in November.

I’m talking to talkSPORT BoxingHamed was looking forward to this match and suggested that a draw could be on the cards.

“Who do I think will win the fight between AJ and Fury? Well, that is the question and everyone wants to know.

“Years ago, Tyson had this awkward style for me where he could make AJ look stupid, that’s true. Now everything has changed. Tyson seemed to have backed off a little bit.

“But with Tyson Fury you never know, maybe one night he’ll show up and box amazingly and do what he did to Wilder. Those first few rounds [against Makhmudov]I was a little disappointed that he didn’t go from the start.

“This is going to sound crazy to you, but would it be unbelievable if I said it could be a draw?”

It is unclear whether Fury will also fight in the summer or whether he will avoid risking a lucrative romance with Joshua and wait patiently on the sidelines.

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Adam Smith reveals Ben Whittaker’s summer fight plan

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Image: Adam Smith reveals Ben Whittaker summer fight plan

Ben Whittaker’s next few months are already taking shape following his quick knockout victory in Liverpool, and Adam Smith outlines a busy summer schedule that should finally see the delicate heavyweight fighter face stronger tests

Smith said Whittaker is expected to return to the United States in overdue June on the Jaron “Boots” Ennis card, then return to the UK in the summer for a major date in his hometown of Birmingham.


Whittaker stopped Brian Suarez in two rounds last weekend and performed brilliantly throughout, adding another early finish to the stretch that helped rebuild attention around him after his first fight with Liam Cameron ended in a draw.

Smith said the June outing would support expose Whittaker to a wider audience ahead of a bigger national night later in the year.

“He will fight at the end of June in America at the Boots Ennis gala. That’s good. Show him to a global audience. Then he will come back here in overdue summer, maybe early September and fight in Birmingham in a huge fight,” Adam Smith said in an interview with Sport Boxing.

Smith also named British opponents who could be next, naming Lyndon Arthur, Brad Rea and Craig Richards as possible options once Whittaker returns home.

Smith believes that in the long term, bigger domestic fights with Joshua Buatsi and Anthony Yard should come within the next year if Whittaker continues to win.

“Buatsis and Yards need to be delivered within the next 6-12 months.”

Whittaker has had a lot of notoriety since turning pro, but the activity and matchmaking are looking more grave now. The next two fights should tell more than the first ten.

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Last updated: 24/04/2026 at 17:38

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