Undisputed heavyweight champion Claressa Shields turned heads at Thursday’s rematch press conference when she brought a baby bottle as a prop to taunt longtime rival Franchon Crews-Dezurn ahead of their headline bout at Little Caesars Arena.
Claressa Shields, known as “The G.W.O.A.T.” and fighting out of Flint, Michigan, will defend her undisputed heavyweight championship against Franchon Crews-Dezurn on Sunday night in the main event. The press conference, held Thursday afternoon, brought the two champions face to face once again in what both fighters describe as a full-circle moment.
Their rivalry dates back to November 2016, when they made their professional debuts against each other. Shields won that first meeting by unanimous decision. In the years since, both women have built championship resumes and played major roles in raising the profile of women’s boxing.
At the press conference, Shields arrived in a pink fur coat and began by speaking respectfully about her opponent. Seated to Shields’ left, Crews-Dezurn listened as Shields praised her accomplishments and character.
“I want her to know she’s a very special fighter,” Shields said. “I’m happy to fight against her. I’m not taking her lightly. She will always be an idol to me. Somebody whom I look up to. Who has been there for me at times when nobody else was, but this fight this weekend, we’re putting all that to the side, and we’ve got to rumble. If you can’t get along, you’ve got to get it on.”
Moments later, the tone shifted when Shields reached for a baby feeding bottle she had brought with her. Holding it up for the room to see, she addressed Crews-Dezurn directly.
“I had brought my bottle because I thought Franchon was gonna be on the boobie today. I thought she’s gonna be up here crying again,” Shields said. “I bought the bottles. I got three of them. I got one with water, one with fruit punch, and one with some pineapple, which one you want, but she wasn’t crying today, so I’m gonna put my bottle down now.”
The exchange added energy to an event already charged with anticipation. While the first fight between Shields and Crews-Dezurn came with little at stake beyond professional debuts, Sunday’s bout carries far more weight. The undisputed heavyweight championship will be on the line, and both fighters enter the ring as established champions with global recognition.
Despite the theatrics, the history between the two remains rooted in years of shared experience and mutual respect. As they prepare to face off again, nearly a decade after their first meeting, Shields and Crews-Dezurn have promised fans an action-packed fight worthy of the stage.
