The rivalry between Claressa Shields and Franchón Crews-Dezurn took a deeply personal turn after their latest fight, with feelings of betrayal coming to the surface online.
Following Shields’ unanimous decision win on Sunday at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Ring Magazine shared what appeared to be a warm exchange between the longtime opponents.
“I have so much respect,” Shields said. Crews-Dezurn replied, “I love you.”
Things then went left after Crews-Dezurn reshared the post and revealed lingering pain beneath the polite words.
“My words were out of hurt and betrayal,” she wrote. “We are not friends. They know what was done.”
Smh Franchon, Everything I said to you after the fight, I meant. I love you, I admire you & I wish you and your family well. And we don’t have to be friends. It’s ok. Thank you for all you’ve ever done for me Bye https://t.co/9WvLuEz0Nr
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) February 24, 2026
Shields responded directly, insisting her post-fight comments were sincere.
“Everything I said to you after the fight, I meant,” she wrote. “I love you, I admire you and I wish you and your family well. And we don’t have to be friends. It’s ok.”
The pair of boxing champions have faced each other for nearly 15 years, starting as amateurs. Shields defeated Crews-Dezurn multiple times before their recent professional bout.
After the fight, Shields praised Crews-Dezurn’s toughness.
“She was trying to cause the upset,” Shields said. “That’s one of the best fights that I’ve been in.”