5'8" super middleweight Franchón
Crews-Dezurn, born on June 13, 1987, in Norfolk, Virginia,
had a successful amateur boxing career where she represented
United States internationally. WBAN first covered Crews-Dezurn
when she fought in the The historic U.S. Olympic Team Trials
that took place at the Northern Quest resort, in Spokane,
Washington.
She was one of the top l 24 participants that included the
following: Claressa Shields, Marlen Esparza, Christina
Cruz, Alex Love, Queen Underwood, Mikaela Mayer, Tiara
Brown, Cynthia Moreno, Traversha Norwood, Virginia Fuchs,
Tyrieshia Douglas, Latonya King, Bertha Aracil, Lisa Porter,
N'yteeyah Sherman, Asia Stevenson, Patricia Manuel, Dara Shen,
Andrecia Wasson, Tiffanie Ward, Tiffanie Hearn, Tika Hemingway,
and Raquel Miller. The below video was taken by Sue TL Fox who
covered this event.
Crews-Dezurn made her pro debut
on November 19, 2016, at the T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas,
Nevada, facing Claressa Shields, 167. Shields won the bout
by a four-round unanimous decision over Franchon Crews,
168. Final judges scores were 40-36 on all cards.
Christy Halbert said, "Amateur boxing, especially USA
Boxing, owes a debt of gratitude to both of these athletes, for
bringing their best to Team USA, for elevating everyone’s game
in the amateurs, and for serving as role models for boxers for
generations to come. In sport, champions can only be created if
they have worthy opponents. These two have not only served each
other as opponents, they have made each other better.
As a former Olympic coach, I
selfishly wish they’d stay on as amateurs and earn more
international hardware for Team USA. But these days that world
seems too small for two women who have helped shape
Olympic-style boxing."
Fast forwarding to 2019, on
September 14th, at the Dignity Health Sports Park, in Carson,
California, Crews Dezurn, 167.5, won a ten-round unanimous
decision over Maricela Cornejo, 166¾, where she won the he WBC
and vacant WBO Super middleweight world titles.
Golden Boy Promotions signed
Crews Dezurn and they wrote the following on her many talents:
Franchon Crews-Dezurn is a woman
of many talents including singing, designing and boxing. She
became interested in boxing in 2003, looking at it as a good
workout to get in shape in order to pursue a singing career. She
quickly fell in love with the sport and won the Maryland state
title in her first bout in April 2004.
Before turning professional, Crews-Dezurn flourished as an
amateur, competing at the national and international levels.
During her 12-year amateur boxing career, Crews-Dezurn was an
eight-time US Open National Champion, a four-time Pan Am
Continental Champion, a two-time National PAL Champion, and a
two-time US Olympic Team Alternate.
In 2016, Crews-Dezurn made her professional debut against
two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields. Though she lost
the close battle, Crews-Dezurn would score three more victories
before capturing the WBC Super Middleweight World Title via
10-round majority decision against Maricela Cornejo.
Crews-Dezurn signed with Golden Boy in June 2019, and in that
same month she defeated Kayla Williams by a fifth-round knockout
in a non-title bout.
Crews-Dezurn then defeated Alejandra Jimenez on the September
2019 undercard of Munguia vs. Allotey at Dignity Health Sports
Park in Carson, CA, where she unified the WBC and WBO Super
Middleweight World Titles.
In January 2020, she fought in a controversial battle against
Alejandra Jimenez. Though originally suffering a split decision
loss, it was later changed to a no decision by the Texas
commission after a positive test for a banned substance from
Jimenez.
Then, Crews-Dezurn was rightfully reinstated as the WBC and WBO
Super Middleweight World Champion, and she eager to defend her
belts against a top opponent.
On January 2, 2021, at the
American Airlines Center, in Dallas, Texas, USA, there were nine
fights featured on the Golden Boy Promotions Card. In the only
female bout scheduled on this card featured Crews-Dezurn vs.
Ashleigh Curry. At the weigh-in prior to this fight taking
place, Curry came in heavy over the contract weight. Franchon
weighed in at 171¼, and Curry came in at 176¼. The weight
apparently made no difference as Franchon won the eight round
bout by a unanimous decision with the final scoring of 80-72 on
all scorecards. Franchon moved her record to 7-1-0 (2KO), and
Curry slipped to 8-14-4 (1KO). Full Story
Accomplishments:
2004 "American Idol" TV Contestant
2005 US Open National Champion; National Golden Gloves Champion
2006 US Open National Champion; National Golden Gloves Champion;
National Pal Champion; Pan AM Continental Champion
2007 US Open National Champion; National Golden Gloves
Champion;
National Pal Champion; Pan Am Champion
2008 US Open National Champion; National Golden Gloves
Champion;
Pan AM Continental Champion
2011 US Open National Champion
2012 World Silver Medalist; US Olympic Team Alternate; US Open
National Champion; Pan AM Continental Champion
2013 US Open National Champion
2014 National Pal Champion
2015 US Open National Champion
2016 World Bronze Medalist; US Olympic TEam Alternate; Pro Debut
on HBO PPV Ward-Kovalev Fight
