

As Claressa Shields Explores Free Agency, Salita Wants Crews-Dezurn Rematch

Manouk Akopyan
Aug 18, 2025
2 min read
Undisputed heavyweight champion Claressa Shields is running out of viable dance partners, as she explores free agency. Her longtime promoter Dmitry Salita told The Ring of an idea for the 30-year-old's next challenge, deeming it the "toughest and most ...
Claressa Shields has entered the free agency phase of her career.
Shields and promoter Dmitry Salita have been a tandem since her second professional fight in 2017. But now, Shields (17-0, 3 KOs) is testing the market after cruising to a unanimous decision win against Lani Daniels, defending her heavyweight titles last month in Detroit to the tune of a near $1.5 million gate.
"Claressa is a free agent and she'll explore the market to do what she has to do. I am completely OK with it," Salita told The Ring.
"We have a great friendship and working relationship. I am grateful that she trusted me with her career. What we've accomplished is absolutely historic and incredible. We broke a lot of glass ceilings together for women's boxing with a lot of records along the way."
Shields, 30, a two-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist, ensured her amateur success translated to the pro ranks by becoming a four-division champion.
But she's running out of viable dance partners. Shields has been trying to convince Laila Ali, 47, to come out of retirement in recent weeks by offering a $15 million purse.
Shields also has disdain toward Alycia Baumgardner but called the undisputed 130-pound champion a "non-factor" despite her being open to a reasonable catchweight clash.
Elsewhere, there are options such as WBA and WBC super middleweight champion Franchon Crews Dezurn and the newly crowned WBO and IBF 168-pound champion Shadasia Green.
Salita prefers Shields to slug it out in a Crews Dezurn rematch, having fought during their pro debuts in November 2016. Shields won their four-rounder by unanimous decision.
"Franchon is an elite fighter and one of the most accomplished champions in the sport," said Salita. "When she and Claressa faced off in their pro debuts, a rare and risky move, they laid the foundation for two historic careers.
"That fight showed who they are – fearless competitors. Now, years later, a rematch between two world champions is more than just a big fight, it's the toughest, most meaningful challenge out there for Claressa, and a major moment for women's boxing.
"Claressa is a smart businesswoman and has her own brand at this stage of the game, and she'll make whatever the right decision is for herself. She's in a leadership position where the promoter doesn't need to pay her, she pays the promoter. She's the boss, the one who generates ticket sales and revenue. She's Mayweather, Canelo for women's boxing. She's the straw that stirs the drink."
Manouk Akopyan is The Ring's lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan
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