Franchon Crews-Dezurn, Citlalli Ortiz, Beatriz Ferreira and More News From Female Fight World
By David A. Avila
Franchon Crews-Dezurn leads the charge of those performing at the International Boxing Hall of Fame induction fight card this weekend.
For several days the professional boxing community gathers to honor the new inductees and those of the past in upstate New York.
Crews-Dezurn (9-2, 2 Kos), the unified WBC and WBA super middleweight world titlist, defends against Citlalli Ortiz (4-1, 1 KO) at Turning Stone Resort and Casino at Verona, N.Y. on Friday June 6. DAZN will stream the Salita Promotions card.
Both have no-excuse fighting styles.
If you know anything about Crews it’s her unapologetic method of banging and slamming and getting in your face with blows. She doesn’t care if an opponent is King Kong or Sleeping Beauty. When the bell rings the fight gets ugly.
“Boxing is life. I take it very seriously because I’m old school. I’m old enough to know, young enough to learn. I don’t play because you can lose your life in boxing. I’m pushing through a lot of things to make the most out of this opportunity,” said Crews.
Whenever experts or casual fans discuss the best female fighters in the world, they seem to overlook Crews who hails from the Baltimore and Washington DC area. She is a product of that part of America that has always been dangerous and violent.
I spent time in DC and Baltimore many years ago. It was so bad that police officers asked you not to fight on the streets. Begged you not to start trouble. Imagine if you spent your childhood there. The ice cream man might skip a few of those streets.
Crews-Dezurn was raised on those troubled avenues and despite the commotion, grew up singing, sewing and slinging blows. Now, after nine years as a pro the fighter known as “Big Mama” is finally getting recognition as one of the top fighters Pound for Pound.
Recently signed by Salita Promotions, the fighter also known as the “Heavy-Hittin Diva” never had an easy fight in her career. It’s a known fact that Crews fought Claressa Shields for their pro debuts.
It was savage. Explosive. And unforgettable.
In her fifth pro fight Crews tangled with Maricela Cornejo in Las Vegas for the world title and won. Two fights later, they met again in Los Angeles and again Crews won in a more intense battle. Then she fought Mexico’s former heavyweight champion and though she did not win on the scores, the fight was ruled a No Contest because Alejandra Jimenez tested positive for PEDs.
The next big moment for Crews took place at Madison Square Garden on the Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor card on April 30, 2022 where she met the talented Elin Cederroos for the undisputed super middleweight world championship. It was a massive moment to perform in front of 20,000 fans and win decisively.
Then she fought the dangerous Savannah Marshall who just suffered her first defeat against Shields. They fought in England and both slugged it out with the British fighter winning by majority decision.
Crews no longer held a world title so back she went to the wars to face yet another feared fighter in Shadasia Green. This time the match was held in Orlando, Florida and Crews pierced the holes in Green’s armor with a relentless inside attack.
That last victory was two years ago.
Few in the super middleweight class want to tangle with Crews.
In steps Ortiz, a Southern California fighter from the desert sands of Coachella. She is a smaller version of Crews, a virtual pocket destroyer. Can she match the champion in the prize ring for 10 rounds.
“I’m going for it. All or nothing,” said Ortiz to AB Boxing. “Our main goal is to give a good show, give a good fight.”
Ortiz had a solid amateur career much like Crews. Will it be enough.
“It’s kill or be killed,” said Ortiz.
Crews knows this.
“I’m from the bottom so I’m not a stranger to hard work,” said Crews.
Brazil vs Argentina in Florida
IBF lightweight titlist Beatriz Ferreira (6-0, 2 KOs) defends against Maria Ines Ferreyra (11-0-1, 6 KOs) on Saturday June 7, at the Caribe Royale Orlando in Orlando, Florida. DAZN will stream the Boxlab Promotions card.
Ferreira hails from Brazil and Ferreyra from Argentina, if you know anything about those two neighboring countries is they have a ferocious rivalry with each other.
Both are undefeated but the Argentine has never fought in the USA before. That could pose a distraction for Ferreyra. The Brazilian has fought in the US several times and in England and Monte Carlo. She knows how to fight in a strange arena.
More Fight News
Albania
On Sunday June 8, welters Julia Igel (3-1) and Ana Reyes (6-2) meet four rounds at Shkoder.
Argentina
Maria Sol Baumstarh (13-7-1) defeated Daiana Ortiz (5-4-2) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday May 31. The regional minimumweight title fight took place in Buenos Aires.
On Friday June 6, lightweights Karen Carabajal (24-2) and Micaela Soledad (5-2) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Cutral Co.
On Saturday June 7, atomweights Jennifer Meza (9-4) and Claudia Ruiz (6-2) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Buenos Aires.
Australia
On Sunday June 8, feathers Mariah Turner (9-1) and Jaala Tomat (4-4-1) meet eight rounds for a regional title at Broadbeach.
Austria
Alexadra Petre (1-1) knocked out Elene Sikmashvili (9-12-1) in the second round on Friday May 30. The cruiserweight fight took place in Vienna. Also, bantam Melissa Sailer (2-0) beat Tijana Draskovic (2-16) in four.
Belgium
On Friday June 6, super lightweights Helen Connart (2-1) and Joice Alves (2-2) meet eight rounds in Flobecq.
Chile
Catalina Castro (2-0) knocked out Yulisa Hurtado (0-1) in the third round on Saturday May 31. The super lightweight fight took place in Buin.
Colombia
On Saturday June 7, super bantams Yeni Arias (1-0-1) and Adriana Tobon (3-2) meet six rounds at Barranquilla.
Costa Rica
On Saturday June 7, minimumweights Gipsy Diaz (5-0) and Heydi Fernandez (0-6) meet four rounds at Heredia. Also, bantams Angie Diaz (1-0) and Meris del Carmen (0-2) meet four.
Denmark
Sofie Rosshaug (3-0) knocked out Jelena Bokan (0-3) in the first round on Saturday May 31. The bantam fight took place in Hvidovre.
Germany
On Saturday June 7, super bantams Bilgenur Aras (10-1) and Ilona Zuendorf (0-5) meet six rounds at Frankfurt. Also, bantams Sara Saeed (0-0) and Kaludia Ferenczi (20-121-10) meet four.
Italy
On Wednesday June 4, lightweights Arianna Tonello (4-0) and Dijana Babic (0-4) meet six rounds in Veneto.
Japan
Sana Hazuki (13-10-1) beat Peeyalux Sanpokang (9-5) by decision after six rounds on Sunday June 1. The minimumweight match was held in Tagawa-gun.
Yui Yamashita (0-0-1) and Ao Oyama (0-0-1) fought to a split draw after four rounds on Saturday May 31. The flyweight match was held in Sumida-Ku.
Kazakhstan
Angelina Lukas (15-1) beat Daniela Asenjo (17-5-3) by technical knockout in the sixth round on Sunday June 1. The IBO super flyweight title match took place in Taraz.
On Friday June 6, bantams Balaussa Muzdiman (7-0) and Aya Ramadhan (4-0) meet eight rounds at Almaty.
New Zealand
Sarah Linton (1-5) defeated Anna Collie (1-1-1) by split decision after six rounds on Saturday May 31. The bantam fight took place in Wellington.
South Africa
Tyla Promnick (3-0) knocked out Zanele Masilela (0-1) in the second round on Saturday May 31. The minimumweight fight took place in Kempton Park.
On Saturday June 7, super welters Alima Nikosi (2-0) and Caroline Rabali (0-0-1) meet four rounds at Middelburg.
South Korea
On Saturday June 7, light flyweights Hye Su Jang (4-0) and Si Yeon Ryu (3-0) meet eight rounds for the South Korean title at Seoul.
Spain
Cristina Garrobo (7-2-1) knocked out Cristina Hernandez (11-10-1) in the first round on Friday May 30. The lightweight match took place in Cobisa.
On Friday June 6, atomweights Isabel Rivero (10-3-1) and Johana Zuniga (19-10-1) meet 10 rounds at Valladolid.
Thailand
Natthanan Sangiamchit (7-3) knocked out Ganjana Chatheman (0-4) in the third round on Sunday June 1. The super fly fight took place in Pathum Thani.
Prangwilai Wangbun (4-0) knocked out Ploypalin Palastsrichuai (7-5) in the fifth round on Sunday June 1. The light fly fight took place in Pathum Thani. Also, minimumweight Banthita Pumkrathok (4-0) beat Wipada Srihong (2-3) in eight.
Katherine Lindenmuth (7-4) knocked out Pompimon Pongpaew (5-6) in the second round on Saturday May 31. The regional title match was held in Bangkok. Also, flyweight Hin Ting Chan (10-1) knocked out Wanasanan Onuch (7-3-2) in one; super fly Efasha Kamarudin (7-0-1) knocked out Kanyarat Nunoi (9-8-2) in two; and bantam Tomomi Takano (13-5-1) beat Kamonthip Aemsakun (1-2) in four.
On Saturday June 7, flyweights Ruqsana Begum (5-2-1) and Kadesara Jadpakdee (9-9-1) meet 10 rounds at Bangkok.
Ukraine
Oksana Bondarenko (8-2) defeated Veronika Timoshyna (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday May 31. The featherweight fight took place in Odesa.
United Kingdom
Emily Whitworth (2-0) defeated Naila Peloso (0-12-1) by decision after six rounds on Saturday May 31. The bantamweight fight took place in Manchester.
On Saturday June 7, bantams Jessica Woolfenden (1-0) and Naila Peloso (0-12-1) meet four rounds at Bolton.
On Saturday June 7, feathers Lillie Winch (4-0) and Katerina Dvorakova (3-6) meet six rounds at Ipswich.
On Saturday June 7, lightweights Jade Pearce (0-0) and Valgerdur Gudsteinsdottir (7-7) meet six rounds at Middlesbrough. Also, super lights Hannah Robinson (3-0) and Georgi Klein (2-0) meet six.
USA
On Tuesday June 3, welters Savannah Trini (4-0) and Simone Aparecida (17-35) meet six rounds in Nashville, Tenn.
On Friday June 6, super middleweights Franchon Crews-Dezurn (9-2) and Citlali Ortiz (4-1) meet 10 rounds for the WBC world title at Verona, New York. Also, super bantams Ashleyann Lozada (1-0) and Carmen Vargas (5-3-1) meet six rounds. DAZN will stream the Salita Promotions card.
On Saturday June 7, lightweights Beatriz Ferreira (6-0) and Maria Ines Ferreyra (11-0-1) meet 10 rounds for the IBF world title at Orlando, Florida. DAZN will stream the card. Also, bantams Reina Tellez (11-0-1) and Maria Salinas (27-11-6) meet eight; and bantams Bree Howling (8-0) and Naomy Cardenas (8-0) meet six.
On Saturday June 7, super bantams Alexis Bolduc (1-2) and Sara Couillard (1-1) meet six rounds at Boston.
On Saturday June 7, minimumweights Amanda Sendejo (1-0) and Mollie Backowski (0-4) meet four rounds at San Antonio, Texas.
Venezuela
Maria Milano (13-3-2) knocked out Dayerlin Montenegro (1-1) in the second round on Saturday May 31. The minimumweight fight took place in Caracas.
(Photo by Voyage Baltimore)