Another Look at Franchon Crews-Dezurn, Yesica Nery, Boxing Styles and News
By David A. Avila
Lessons learned.
Different styles in boxing can disturb other styles regardless of their records. That’s what happened when Franchon Crews-Dezurn delved into the fire zone with punches flying and upset the timing of Shadasia Green by forcing the fight inside.
With years of experience gathered as an amateur and seven years as a pro, Crews-Dezurn used that knowledge to puncture Green’s aura of invincibility. It’s a common mistake made by fans and betting oddsmakers who think knockouts equate to superiority.
Just look at Claressa Shields or Katie Taylor to understand knockouts are not essential. They do help, but knock downs can’t guarantee victory against a fighter who knows how to negate power.
Crews-Dezurn demonstrated to viewers the lost art of fighting inside. It’s rarely taught in amateur or pro boxing and has been nearly forgotten as an art form. If you want to know the best at fighting inside study James “Lights Out” Toney. He never held or allowed anyone to hold him. He was the epitome of a prizefighter who could fight inside and never clinched. It’s truly a lost art.
More on inside fighting.
Boxers who have speed and agility like to run around the boxing ring and basically persuade their opponents to chase them so they can lure them into pot shots. Skye Nicolson comes to mind. With only two-minute rounds, runners make boxing matches into boring affairs. The amateur approach of running and slapping are not styles of boxing preferred by people paying hard earned money to watch someone run around the boxing ring.
Experienced pros who have been taught the proper way to cut off a ring, know what to do. Once a runner’s escape route is cut off, they are forced to move into the fire zone. And if they can’t fight inside, they are forced to clinch and hold. If they happen to have a good referee, they will be deducted points for holding. Also, there is no rule forcing a boxer to chase another. A boxer can simply stand and wait for the runner to come to them.
And if a runner doesn’t advance to the other fighter, that’s when you get a truly bad boxing match such as the Shakur Stevenson and Edwin De Los Santos debacle last month. That night boos cascaded throughout the fight and hurt both fighter’s reputations.
Why would anyone want to spend $100 to $1,000 dollars a ticket to watch another contest like that.
Learn to fight inside.
Value of Hooks
It’s a punch rarely seen in women’s boxing and it was on clear display this past weekend as Mexico’s Yesica Nery Plata plastered Germany’s Sarah Bormann with left hooks for 10 rounds. The Mexican fighter retained the WBC and WBA light flyweight titles by split decision in Germany.
Others who throw deadly left or right hooks are: Seniesa Estrada, Kenia Enriquez and from a southpaw stance Amanda Serrano to name a few women who properly have hooks in their arsenal. It’s long been one of the best punches in boxing.
The left or right hook is a punch used almost religiously by male Mexican fighters. It’s practically taught in the crib. It’s a signature punch for all men fighters. But few Mexican women use the left hook. Even fewer female fighters in the world use it properly. Instead, they more or less use it like a jab, with little power.
This past Saturday, Nery Plata connected with more left hooks to the body and head, than I ever witnessed before by any female fighter. Every round she connected with that punch against Boorman, a very strong and talented fighter. It’s difficult to defend against a left hook because its not straight in front of an opponent’s vision. It can also come from different angles.
All fighters should learn how to throw a proper left hook.
Claressa Christmas Give-Away
Undisputed middleweight champion Claressa Shields presents her 4th Annual Toy Drive on Saturday Dec. 23, at Fitness located at 2189 Coldwater Rd. Mt. Morris, Michigan 48458. The giveaway begins at 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET.
The program is sponsored by Shields Community Outreach Corporation (SCOC) and was founded by Shields to assist the Michigan youth community. Toys, water and winter gear will be given away.
For more information call Jim Aguirre (408) 394-0436.
Holiday Gift Suggestions
If you truly love women’s boxing here’s a gift suggestion for you. Purchase “A History of Women’s Boxing” by Malissa Smith. It can be purchased on Amazon, Apple Books or Ebook.
Smith is an excellent writer and historian and her book covers the sport thoroughly. It’s perfect for fans of women’s boxing or for anyone seeking information on female prizefighting. Her Instagram is @girlboxingnow.
More Fight News
Argentina
Yesica Bopp (39-3) defeated Roxana Colmenarez (9-2-1) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday Dec. 16. The light flyweight bout took place at Avellaneda.
Maira Moneo (14-1) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Lizbeth Crespo (15-7) on Friday Dec. 15. The WBC interim lightweight title fight took place in Buenos Aires.
On Wednesday Dec. 20, lightweights Daniela Arena (1-5) and Rocia Tamara Garcia (0-0) meet four rounds at San Rafael.
Australia
Enja Ryan (5-2-1) beat Kate McClaren (4-1-2) by decision after eight rounds on Saturday Dec. 16. The welterweight fight took place at Dubbo.
Jemma Peart (3-0) knocked out Katie Riddle (0-1) in the first round on Saturday Dec. 16. The flyweight bout took place at Carrara.
Stephanie Cutting (5-0) knocked out Maureen Chand (3-4) in a six round match on Saturday Dec. 16. The lightweight fight took place at Flemington.
Urvashi Singh (11-3) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Thanchanok Phanan (16-9) on Friday Dec. 15. The super bantamweight match was held at Malvern. Also, flyweight Sarjubala Devi (3-0) beat Ranee Klinratree (2-5) in four.
On Wednesday Dec. 20, super bantamweights Mariah Turner (3-0) and Flora Loga (0-2) meet six rounds at Fortitude Valley.
Bangladesh
On Monday Dec. 18, super flyweights Brishti Khatun (1-0-1) and Nila Akter (0-0) meet four rounds at Dhaka.
Canada
Mathilde Barailler (1-1-1) defeated Shadem Medina (1-3) in four rounds on Thursday Dec. 14. The bantamweight match was held in Montreal. Also, super featherweight Jade Masson Wong (1-0) beat Elifeleth Lopez (2-2) in four.
Colombia
Kalliopi Kourouni (16-3-1) knocked out Lira Huyke (4-5-1) in the third round on Sunday Dec. 17. The lightweight match was held in Cali.
Ingrid Caicedo (7-0) knocked out Adriana Tobon (2-2) in the first round on Saturday Dec. 16. The light flyweight bout took place at Bogota.
Minellis Blanco (4-0) knocked out Doraina Rodriguez (0-2) in the first round on Saturday Dec. 16. The heavyweight fight took place in Sincelejo. Also, cruiserweight Celia Sierra (9-6) knocked out Talaiguas Bravo (0-1) in the second round.
Samantha Worthington (7-0) knocked out Angi Romero (7-5) in the first round on Tuesday Dec. 12. The lightweight fight took place at Carmende Apicala; also Milanyela Viloria (2-0) knocked out Paula Rico (0-2) in three rounds.
France
Victoire Piteau (11-2) won by decision after six rounds versus Katherine Quintana (0-25-1) on Saturday Dec. 16. The super lightweight match was held in Tours. Also, bantamweight Lauryne Brankaer (3-0) beat Klaudia Ferenczi (20-106-10) in six.
Jeyssa Marcel (12-0) won by unanimous decision after eight rounds against Cristina Hernandez (11-7-1) on Friday Dec. 15. The super bantamweight match was held in Lyon.
Germany
Yesica Nery Plata (30-2) defeated Sarah Boorman (17-1) by split decision after 10 rounds on Saturday Dec. 16. The WBA, WBC light flyweight world title fight was held in Karlsruhe.
Ghana
On Tuesday Dec. 19, featherweights Sangeeta Bird (3-5) and Flora Machela (7-12-1) meet 10 rounds at Accra.
India
On Wednesday Dec. 20, flyweights Blessing Bukola (7-0) and Muskan Verma (0-1-1) meet six rounds at New Delhi.
Italy
Veronica Tosi (6-2) defeated Anna Lisa Brozzi (5-4) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Sunday Dec. 17. The Italian bantamweight title fight took place in Rome. Also, super lightweight Sonia Fracassi (3-0) beat Sara Novino (1-1-1) in six.
Jessica Bellusci (5-1) won by decision after six rounds versus Marijana Dasovic (0-20-1) on Saturday Dec. 16. The featherweight match was held in Veneto.
Japan
On Sunday Dec. 24, super flyweights Tomoko Okuda (7-5-2) and Jittamat Phomta (2-1) meet eight rounds at Sakai.
Mexico
Camila Zamorano (6-0) defeated Sabrina Persona (3-1) by decision after six rounds on Saturday Dec. 16. The light flyweight fight took place in Tijuana.
Panama
Yaneth Otero (1-0) won by decision after four rounds versus Yaremis Reluz (1-4) on Friday Dec. 15. The featherweight fight was held in Panama City.
South Africa
Nozwelethu Mathontsi (11-2) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Owethu Rula (4-5) on Saturday Dec. 16. The South Africa light flyweight title fight was held in East London.
Nomusa Ngema (4-1) beat Matshidiso Mokebisi (17-11-2) by decision after 10 rounds on Friday Dec. 15. The South African bantamweight title fight was held at Bloemfontein. Also, super bantamweight Nosiacaswe Dube (2-6-3) beat Pamela Matunga (1-3-2) by decision after six.
Spain
Isabel Rivero (6-2-1) defeated Consuelo Portolani (5-4) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Friday Dec. 15. The EBU minimumweight title fight was held at Valladolid.
Taiwan
Ru Yi Li (1-0) beat Mami Otsubo (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday Dec. 16. The bantamweight contest took place at Taoyuan.
Tanzania
On Sunday Dec. 24, super flyweights Halima Vunjabei (13-11-1) and Zulfa Iddy (0-1-1) meet six rounds at Chato.
Thailand
Jessica Adams (2-2-1) knocked out Anchalee Mankong (2-10) in the third round on Sunday Dec. 17. The super featherweight fight was held in Bangkok.
Muthita Iamsaard (9-1) won by unanimous decision after eight rounds against Phanit Yongyut on Saturday Dec. 16. The minimumweight fight was held at Pathum Thani. Also, super flyweight Sirikon Klangcharoen (1-0) beat Chanyanuch Kadkeaw (0-2) in six.
Juthathip Sitthichen (6-0) beat Saranyaphong Theinthong (3-16) by decision in six rounds on Monday Dec. 11. The minimumweight fight was held at Pathum Thani. Also, light flyweight Nitinart Plabplerng (6-1) knocked out Sutthinee Bamrungpao (4-13-1) in two rounds; and flyweight Niratchaporn Tanomsaksree (1-0) beat Daorueng Pakkhetanang (2-14) in six.
United Kingdom
On Wednesday Dec. 20, super featherweights Sian O’Toole (2-0) and Beccy Ferguson (5-9) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Birmingham, England.
USA
Franchon Crews-Dezurn (9-2) defeated Shadasia Green (13-1) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Friday Dec. 15. The WBC super middleweight world title fight was held in Orlando, Florida. It was Crews-Dezurn second time winning the title.
Abril Anguiano (3-0) won by decision after six rounds against Brittany Ordonez (3-5-3) on Friday Dec. 15. The super featherweight match took place at Arlington, Virginia.
Super bantamweights Julie Metzner (2-5-1) and Brittany Dukes (0-5-2) fought to a draw after four rounds on Wednesday Dec. 13. The match was held in Kansas City, Missouri.
Venezuela
Darly Perozo (2-0) won by decision after four rounds versus Yenifer Mireles (0-1) on Saturday Dec. 16. The light flyweight match took place at Turmero.