Claressa Shields will defend her undisputed heavyweight title against Franchon Cruz-Dezrun early next year at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
Shields, 30, is undefeated in 17 professional fights and became his first undisputed champion with a win over Daniel Perkins in February.
She signed an $8 million, multi-year contract with Sarita Promotions and Wynn Records in November, which the promotion called the richest contract in women’s boxing.
Shields, a two-time Olympic champion known by her nickname GWOAT (Greatest Woman of All Time), has previously faced Cruz Dezrun, defeating the 38-year-old by unanimous decision in 2016 in both fighters’ professional debuts.
“I’m going to put Franchon Cruz on my back and leave with a KO,” Shields said. “I’ve had some injuries the last few games, but I’m 100 percent now. Franchon is elite, but I’m super elite. I’m going to prove it on game night.”
The undisputed five-division women’s heavyweight champion defended her heavyweight belt last summer, defeating Lani Daniels in front of more than 15,000 fans at the home of the Red Wings and Pistons in Detroit.
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Unified welterweight champion Lauren Price is targeting a future bout with pound-for-pound superstar Shields
Meanwhile, undefeated British welterweight world champion Lauren Price has repeatedly expressed her desire to face fellow Olympic champion Shields in the future.
“The way I look at it, she always had it in the back of her mind that she was going to box one day,” Price told Sky Sports. “I love that match. I want it to be undisputed first and then of course I’ll think about it.”
Shields and Price are both Olympic gold medalists in their weight class, and the Welsh star believes he can fight at middleweight in the future.
“I always thought I could be a multi-weight world champion. Of course, we have to talk about weight and my goals.
“If you’re motivated and motivated, you want to be in the biggest battles.”
Price is confident that he can not only fight SEALs, but also win.
“She’s a great fighter. I think it’s a great fight. It’s going to be a tough fight, but it’s a fight that I believe we can win,” Price said.
“Honestly, I think I beat her with my speed. I’m just too fast. She’s fast. She has very fast hands, but I’m faster.”
“Before she said she was going to do me and (Natasha) Jonas on the same night,” Price added. “Then I boxed Jonas, and she said she was impressed by this and that and other things. And now she wants the fight. I must have done something right!”
