People representing Shields' interests showed that there were procedural errors in the tests conducted, so their results cannot be recognized as valid. The WBO agreed with these arguments and emphasized that the American did not pose a direct threat to the integrity of the sport or the public interest. Shields' suspension from boxing bouts was lifted.
The Shields-Perkins bout took place in early February in Flint, Michigan, with the WBO, WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight championship belts on the line. After ten rounds, the judges gave scores of 100-89, 99-90 and 97-92. In the last round of the bout, Perkins was knocked down by a right jab.