Current undisputed middleweight champion Claressa Shields has beaten some of boxing's best. The "G.W.O.A.T." cleaned out the competition early to cement her status as a true great. Now she gets to watch as two former opponents square off for a chance to face her again.
Franchon Crews-Dezurn, the undisputed super middleweight champion, defends her belts against former WBO middleweight champion Savannah Marshall on July 1. Inside the AO Arena in Manchester, the fight airs on ESPN+ in the U.S..
In 2016, Shields and Crews-Dezurn faced one another in their pro debut. Shields beat the latter via unanimous decision in just four rounds. Following that, Shields has only competed for titles, first winning NABF gold and then focusing on world belts.
Crews-Dezurn recovered by beating Maricela Cornejo twice for the WBO and WBC super middleweight belts. Her last fight was a unanimous decision victory against Elin Cederroos in 2022 to win the WBA and IBF titles.
MORE: Sign up to watch Franchon Crews-Dezurn vs. Savannah Marshall, exclusively on ESPN+
There is an old saying: "Iron sharpens iron." Shields and Crews-Dezurn have become good friends, training together in boxing gyms down in Florida. They learn from one another while supporting the other on fight nights. Regarding the bout against Marshall, Shields can provide Crews-Dezurn some guidance.
"Me and Franchon sometimes link up to train together. There's no competition between us. We know what we know. We know one day we'll have to fight against each other again," Shields told The Sporting News at a media workout.
"That doesn't bother us. We both are ready for the challenge. When we sparred, it was more of me giving her the game. I've been in the ring with Marshall for 10 rounds. I was able to win eight of those rounds… or even nine. Just letting her know, showing her things that could give her the edge in the fight."
Inside the O2 Arena in October 2022, Shields outpointed Marshall, beating her to win the WBO title and become the undisputed middleweight champion for the second time. She avenged the only loss of her career against Marshall: an amateur bout. Though a rematch between the two is inevitable, it was thought the fight would be at middleweight again.
Marshall moving to super middleweight and potentially beating Shields' friend may goad her into moving in weight again. Shields has already won gold at super middleweight.
MORE: History beckons for Savannah Marshall in Crews-Dezurn undisputed clash
There's not much of a reach difference between the two, with 72 inches for Crews-Dezurn and 71 for Marshall. Marshall's height (6-0) could play a factor (5-8 for Crews-Dezurn). The Brit is a technician compared to Crews-Dezurn's boxing and brawling style. Among active fighters, Marshall lands the sixth-most shots per round with 14.6 and has a connect percentage of 26.5%, good for ninth.
Regardless of the stats or championship-level experience, Shields is confident Crews-Dezurn can get the job done.
"I already feel like Franchon has enough, without my help, to beat Savannah Marshall, if I'm being honest," said Shields. "You're going into hostile territory. You'll have to overcome some things in the ring with Marshall, and her size is one. I don't think that will be a problem with Franchon because Franchon is just as big as Marshall. That's why I think Marshall skipped 168 and came to 160. She's a weight bully.
"I think that Franchon is going to beat Savannah Marshall. She just has to be in the best shape, have her head on right, and don't let the crowd get to her."