On the latest episode of “Listen In With KNN,” award-winning journalist, Kelsey Nicole Nelson welcomed boxer and WBC and WBA Super middleweight world champion, Franchón Crews-Dezurn to the show to discuss her career and impact.
Crews-Dezurn known as “The Heavy Hitty Diva” has several accolades under her boxing career including 12-year member of Team USA, 15x National Champion, a five-time Pan Am Gold medalist and a two-time world medalist.
The episode began by highlighting her recent fight against undisputed heavyweight champion Claressa Shields in February at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. It’s a rivalry that goes back to 2016.
“My hope for the fight was to just have a great match, just professional, just having the opportunity to showcase two elite women that can rival some of the biggest female fights that we’ve had in history,” said Crews-Dezurn.
However, she added that the fight was overshadowed by outside entities, putting it as “a damper on the moment.”
Through thick and thin, for her it was about maintaining professionalism and putting on a show for the fans, but she didn’t think the fight propelled the sport of women’s boxing forward.
“I don’t think it did,” Crews-Dezurn said. “For me, I feel like I’m a winner anytime and I always am the type of person to find good in any situation.”
She explained from her own perspective that the fight took a step backwards while commending the fans and her team for helping her go through the hard times.
“To be put in a situation in a controlled environment where we were injured and ambushed took a toll on me mentally and physically going into the fight,” Crews-Dezurn said. “ I just feel like it wasn’t a display of the greatness that could have been.”
Crews-Dezurn would eventually lose after battling 10 rounds as Shields would win in unanimous decision and go on to defend her WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and WBF heavyweight titles.
“I’ve been doing this for over half of my life,” Crews-Dezurn said. “I take the good with the bad is nothing because at the end of the day, what I do now can inspire someone else or help push women’s boxing forward. That’s my whole goal.”
Despite the loss, Crews-Dezurn has a resume under her belt while having immense respect for her longtime rival at the end of the day.
“I’m not a loser,” Crews-Dezurn said. “I never felt like one because that’s when it’s focused on winning and that’s what I continue to do.”
Through it all, she credits her husband boxer Glenn Dezurn Jr. for always supporting her journey and calling him her best friend.
“When I first encountered my former opponent, Claressa, a lot of people turned their back on me,” Crews-Dezurn said, speaking about her husband. “He was the one that said, ‘Don’t give up on yourself.’”
She credits her husband for helping her out and shouted out all he continues to do for her till this day.
“He’s such a positive person, not only in the sports world, but he was my mom’s best friend,” Crews-Dezurn said. “Their relationship meant a lot to me because people who followed my early career, they knew that I was the sole caretaker for my mom.”
Crews-Dezurn recalled that she juggled pursuing her college education, competing for Team USA and taking care of her mother at the same time.
Her career further extended in 2021 when she signed to Matchroom Boxing, lead by UK’s Eddie and headlining her Madison Square Garden fight with Elin Cederroos.
She became the first female undisputed super middleweight world champion inaugural Ring Magazine belt champion.
Outside her boxing career, she has pursued a singing career having starred in American Idol as a contestant.
Her song “Secret Place” charted in the Top 10 dance charts in 2023, being a huge accomplishment for her and credits Patriot Records for the success.
“I’ve always stayed true to my mission and my journey,” Crews-Dezurn said. “So now as my career in boxing continues to grow, I’m able to use my platform that I built to showcase my other talents to the world.”
In addition, Crews-Dezurn designed clothing and boxing apparel with her brand, FranDez that has been featured on networks such as HBO, Showtime, DAZN and ESPN.
She also dressed boxers such as Shields, Marlen Esparza and her husband.
“I’m a fighter to the death of me,” Crews-Dezurn said. “But being able to still sprinkle my light in those different arenas means the world to me.”
She said she is amazed how she has ideas in her head and is able to translate them.
“It also illuminates other people because people feel special when they put on my clothes,” Crews-Dezurn. “And then, mentioning the fact that I sing, I’m able to make original songs that they can walk, the soundtrack of their walk.”
