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Undefeated Shields praises rival Crews-Dezurn ahead of title fight

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DETROIT — As Claressa Shields stood behind a clear podium to discuss her upcoming undisputed heavyweight title defense Sunday at Little Caesars Arena, she exchanged surprisingly little trash talk with her opponent.

Instead, Shields, dressed in a stylish pink fur coat, had high praise for Franchon Crews-Dezurn, who was seated at a nearby table to Shields’ left.

“Because this fight is at heavyweight, it adds more publicity to her name, my name and the event,” Shields, the No. 1 women’s boxer ranked by ESPN in pound-for-pound, said during Thursday’s news conference. “We will be made in history together throughout our careers, from amateurs to our professional debuts to our upcoming heavyweight fight.”

Shields (17-0, 3 KO) and Crews-Dezurn (10-2, 2 KO) rose to the top together as longtime amateur rivals before facing off in their professional debuts in 2016, with Shields earning a four-round decision victory.

Sunday’s fight will be Shields’ second defense of the undisputed heavyweight crown, which she won in February 2025 via unanimous decision over Danielle Perkins. This will also be the first of Shields’ multi-fight partnerships with Salita Promotions and Wynn Records, which she signed in November after exploring the concept of free agency. The $8 million deal is the biggest deal for a female boxer.

After losing to Shields in 2016, Crews-Dezurn won nine straight fights to become the undisputed super middleweight champion. After dropping her crown in 2023, the Virginia native won her next two fights, defeating Shadasia Green in 2023 for the WBA interim and WBC super middleweight titles and successfully defending her title against Citlalli Ortiz in 2025.

Shields and Crews-Dezurn promised to give fans an action-packed match.

“It takes a long time to create this material,” Crews-Dezurn said. “I always told Claressa that our journeys would be connected and that’s handsome because when we met, women’s boxing wasn’t even part of the Olympics, so we had the opportunity to perform like this and see both of our faces in handsome graphics in the arena and online. It means everything to me.”

“I’m not a selfish person. I’m very selfless, so this is definitely my dream. Everything I do, I do for my dream. On February 22, when I win, it’s definitely something I decided to do.”

Shields, a native of Flint, Michigan, said Crews-Dezurn was the first woman she was introduced to as a teenager while preparing for her first Olympics in 2012, when, at age 17, she became the first American to win a gold medal in women’s boxing. She also made history in 2016 when, at the age of 21, she won her second gold medal at the Olympic Games in Rio.

After many years of using Crews-Dezurn as a driving force, Shields is preparing to continue his undefeated streak.

“She was my motivation back then,” Shields said. “I found a video on YouTube. I watched her. From then on, I knew she hit difficult. I noticed it when I was 13. I said, ‘This lady hits difficult.'”

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Boxing

The most talented Dubois still attends school

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Solomon Dubois trains in the gym as the youngest member of the Dubois boxing family begins attracting attention in amateur boxing

The Dubois family has already produced two world champions. Now another name is starting to attract attention in British boxing.

Daniel Dubois and sister Caroline turned the family name into one of the most celebrated names in British boxing, but now a different Dubois is quietly emerging from the amateur ranks.

According to many, including Stanley’s father, Solomon Dubois may finally become the best of them all.

Another Dubois appears

The 13-year-old turned heads at national tournaments as he developed under the Dubois umbrella. Stanley, the man who helped shape Daniel and Caroline into world champions, is overseeing his second son’s progress.

Daniel himself has publicly endorsed Solomon to one day become a major force in the sport as the youngest member of the fighting family continues his rise.

This naturally creates expectations.

Over the years, a lot has been written and said about the Dubois family, but not all of it was positive. Family feuds, public disagreements, pressure and media attention have followed the name for much of Daniel and Caroline’s career.

Fresh chapter

However, in Solomon’s case, there is already a feeling that boxing could be the beginning of a fresh chapter.

As Daniel and Caroline gradually enter the final stages of their careers, Solomon is just beginning his own journey.

The pressure is already on, but he is following in the footsteps that will be able to impart significant knowledge.

When a family has already produced two world champions, expectations arise long before title fights or professional contracts emerge.

That’s what makes Solomon’s situation so fascinating, because the noise around him isn’t the result of random social media hype designed to produce the next substantial thing.

This belief clearly exists within the family itself.

Stanley has long suggested that Solomon may naturally possess an agility and raw ability that simply cannot be taught.

Dubois syndrome

The pressure comes early

At the same time, there is an obvious danger in placing too much expectation on someone so newborn.

The history of boxing is full of prospects who faced pressure before they were physically and mentally ready to handle it.

For now, Solomon remains a student learning his craft with one of the most recognizable names in British boxing.

A professional move and a likely collaboration with Frank Warren will almost certainly come later if he continues to make progress.

However, at the moment it’s simply a matter of keeping his feet on the ground as the attention around him continues to grow.

Because if the Dubois family’s beliefs prove correct, British boxing may finally discover that the most talented Dubois was the youngest all along.


About the Author

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

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Keyshawn Davis vs. Nahir Albright 2 Saturday night, live on DAZN

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Image: Keyshawn Davis vs Nahir Albright 2 Saturday Night, Live On DAZN

In October 2023, rising contender Keyshawn Davis entered the ring for an intense fight against Nahir Albright. In the first round of the fight, Albright used his feints and changed levels with his jab.

In the first round, Davis managed to land a well-timed right hand. Over the next few rounds, Keyshawn Davis established range and as a result, started landing his combinations.

Halfway through the 10-round fight, Davis was in complete control, consistently launching counterattacks. During the final three rounds of the fight, Albright found success in punching with his right hand.

Albright was competitive but didn’t seem to be doing enough to win rounds. At the conclusion of the 10-round contest, Davis was declared the winner by majority decision.

Two weeks later, Keyshawn Davis was confirmed to have tested positive for marijuana. Davis received a 90-day suspension and his majority victory over Nahir Albright was changed to a no-contest.

Following his match with Keyshawn Davis, Nahir Albright’s boxing career came to an end after a 19-month hiatus. In June 2025, Nahir Albright stepped back into the squared circle to face Keyshawn’s older brother, Kelvin Davis.

Albright was very aggressive as he hurt Davis in the second and fourth rounds. Albright set the pace of the fight and won a convincing victory.

After the fight ended, Keyshawn and his younger brother Keon jumped Albright backstage. According to Albright, the Davis brothers entered his locker room and Keyshawn headbutted him, leaving a lump on his right eye.

Following the incident, police escorted Keyshawn Davis from the arena. Davis was initially scheduled to headline the event, but he weighed 4.3 pounds over the legal weight limit and was stripped of his WBO world title.

After this embarrassing incident, Keyshawn Davis redeemed himself in January 2026 when he dominated Jamaine Ortiz. Now Davis is ready to take care of unfinished business on Saturday night.

Keyshawn “The Businessman” Davis didn’t look like a pro on Friday afternoon when he weighed in at 140.2 pounds. Davis stripped down to his bare essentials and weighed 140.1 pounds.

After his second failed attempt, Davis was given two hours to reach the 140-pound limit. A tiny time later, Davis returned to the scale and weighed 140 pounds.

Performance wise, Keyshawn Davis is a striking boxer who has poise, timing, a solid jab and a high ring IQ, is an elite counter puncher, has excellent punch placement and is deadly when landing body shots.

His opponent, Nahir Albright, has a quick jab, is elusive, has good footwork, uses head movement regularly, is tough and used to throwing a series of punches.

The grudge match will be held on Saturday evening, May 16, at the Scope Arena. Norfolk native Keyshawn Davis wants to make a statement to his hometown fans, but his opponent, Nahir Albright, plans to play the role of spoiler.

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Eddie Hearn questions Dana White’s boxing future

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Image: Eddie Hearn Questions Whether Dana White Can Handle Boxing

“I just don’t think they’re going to face the fire,” Hearn told iFL TV about Dana White and his company at Zuffa.

“You have years of catching, putting out fires and being bombarded with pellets and grenades to overcome this.

“I just don’t think they’ll be ready for the fire. You must be a little unwell.” [__] to do this. That’s what I do.”

Hearn also ridiculed White’s recent comments about boxing promotion and said the UFC president faces criticism now that he is in the boxing industry.

“He stank,” Hearn said.

“He’s not used to this. Don’t forget what we do, which is meeting people, giving interviews. But he had a narrative.

“He didn’t have anyone like that. That’s why he can’t do it and instead just says weird lyrics.”

Hearn later joked that White’s repeated comments about him actually helped escalate his visibility in the United States.

“I have to thank Dana White,” Hearn said.

“Every press conference he holds, he talks about me.

“I think there are people asking, ‘Who is this Eddie Hearn?’ Little Google, boss, Eddie Hearn.

Promoter Matchroom also rejected White’s recent claim that no promoter has staged more boxing events this year than Zuffa Boxing.

“The entire media audience responded, ‘Okay,’ and moved on to the next question,” Hearn said.

“Imagine if I said that. I would be fried by it in an instant.”

Hearn’s latest comments come as Zuffa Boxing continues to try to establish itself in the sport following months of public photos between White and several longtime boxing promoters.

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