Claressa Shields Makes History with Record-Breaking Contract and Upcoming Title Defence

Introduction: A Groundbreaking Moment for Women’s Boxing

Boxing superstar Claressa Shields has signed a groundbreaking $8 million promotional contract with Salita Promotions and Wynn Records, marking the most lucrative deal in the history of women’s boxing. The two-year agreement represents a watershed moment not only for the undisputed heavyweight champion but for female athletes across all sports. Shields is the only fighter to hold all four major world titles in three different weight classes simultaneously, cementing her status as one of boxing’s all-time greats.

The Historic Contract: Breaking Barriers

The fight marks Shields’ first appearance since signing her landmark $8 million deal with Wynn Records and Salita Promotions, the largest contract ever awarded to a female boxer. The two-time Olympic champion has won all 17 of her professional fights, including a memorable and historic 2022 victory over Britain’s Savannah Marshall at the O2 Arena, and is currently undisputed heavyweight world champion. This partnership with Wynn Records, a music and culture powerhouse, signals a new era where boxing intersects with entertainment to elevate athletes’ profiles beyond traditional sports boundaries.

Upcoming Title Defence: Shields vs Crews-Dezurn II

Claressa Shields will defend her undisputed heavyweight world titles in a rematch with Franchon Crews-Dezurn on February 22nd in Detroit, Michigan. On November 19, 2016, Shields and Crews-Dezurn made their simultaneous professional debuts against each other, with Shields winning that night, launching a career that would redefine women’s boxing. The highly anticipated rematch comes nearly a decade after their first encounter, with both fighters now established champions looking to prove supremacy in the heavyweight division.

Why This Matters: Significance for Readers

Shields’ record-breaking contract demonstrates the growing commercial viability and mainstream appeal of women’s boxing. She became the first American boxer to win two Olympic gold medals, the first woman to headline a premium-cable boxing event, and a multidivision undisputed world champion. Her success at heavyweight has allowed for increased activity, with multiple fights per year for the first time since 2022. As women’s sports continue to gain recognition and investment, Shields stands at the forefront of this transformation, proving that female athletes can command equal respect, pay, and opportunity in traditionally male-dominated sports. The February bout promises to be one of the biggest fights in women’s boxing history, showcasing the elite level of competition that now defines the sport.