Tag: Franchon Crews-Dezurn

Weekend Review: Jared Anderson learns, Canelo Alvarez surprises

Weekend Review: Jared Anderson’s learning experience, Savannah Marshall’s impressive victory and Canelo Alvarez’s surprising decision.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

BIGGEST WINNER
Jared Anderson

All top fighters have to walk through fire at some point to become true stars. Anderson, the 23-year-old heavyweight contender, suffered a minor burn in his unanimous decision victory over veteran Charles Martin in a 10-round bout Saturday in Toledo, Ohio, Anderson’s hometown. Martin (29-4-1, 26 KOs) became the first to take Anderson (15-0, 14 KOs) the distance, a fate that was inevitable as his opposition became stronger. And he had to overcome harrowing adversity in Round 5, when he was hurt by a straight left from his southpaw opponent midway through the round and took many more hard blows before the bell ended the threat. He got through it, demonstrating resilience that should serve him well going forward. Anderson didn’t look spectacular, as he had in previous fights against lower-level foes. That doesn’t mean he suddenly lacks the potential we thought he had. On the contrary, he survived a genuine challenge from a capable opponent – and late replacement – to win a one-sided decision and gained valuable experience in the process. I think more of Anderson than I did before he entered the ring on Saturday.

 

BIGGEST WINNER II
Savannah Marshall

Marshall isn’t as good as Claressa Shields – as we saw in October – but she reminded us how capable she is on Saturday in Manchester, England, where she survived the bruising tactics of Franchon Crews-Dezurn to win a majority decision and the undisputed 168-pound championship in an ugly fight. Crews-Dezurn isn’t much of a boxer but her incessant pressure, her ability to bull her way into close quarters poses a daunting physical challenge for any opponent. Marshall not only had the toughness to cope with Crews-Dezurn’s style but also created enough room to land stinging, eye-catching shots with more than enough consistency to earn 99-92 and 97-93 advantages on two of the three official cards. (Judge Paul Wallace’s 95-95 card is inexplicable). It was arguably the best night of the Englishwoman’s career. She now wants a rematch at 168 pounds with Shields, who defeated her by a convincing decision at 160 eight months ago. Marshall probably wouldn’t win that fight but one never knows. She sure looked formidable on Saturday.

 

BIGGEST SURPRISE
Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo

I made the assumption that when Alvarez signed a three-fight deal with Premier Boxing Champions that he would finally fight the best possible opponents his size. Well, he threw us a curve. The undisputed 168-pound champion announced on social media that he will fight his 154-pound counterpart Jermell Charlo on Sept. 30 in Las Vegas. Alvarez was expected to face the other Charlo, Jermall, a 160-pound titleholder. However, having him face the Mexican star after a two-plus-year layoff evidently was too much to ask. So Alvarez turned to Jermell Charlo. The junior middleweight champ is one of the best fighters in the world pound-for-pound, better than his brother. He has the ability to compete with Alvarez, particularly if the future Hall of Famer is in decline as many believe. The potential problem is that Charlo will have to move up two weight classes or 14 pounds, which could be a disadvantage that is impossible to overcome. I think there’s a good chance even this version of Alvarez will pummel Charlo, after which we’ll all wonder whether the fight should’ve been made in the first place. I’m disappointed.

 

RABBIT PUNCHES

Anderson showed a great deal of maturity during his post-fight interview Saturday, declining to call out the top heavyweights. Instead, he made it clear that his principal goal right now is to remain active. He said he wants to fight two more times this year. I hope he reaches 20 bouts before he tangles with the likes of Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua. … News item: Sky Sports has reported that Dillian Whyte has signed an agreement to face Joshua a second time on Aug. 12 in London. I guess that matchup would do good business in the U.K. but how many times are they going to trot out the powerful, but limited Whyte for a big fight? It’s getting boring. Of course, if Joshua meets Deontay Wilder late this year I’ll forget all about this unappetizing matchup. … Nineteen-year-old 135-pound prospect Abdullah Mason (9-0, 8 KOs) of Cleveland knocked out overmatched Alex de Oliveira (20-5, 14 KOs) in the second round of a scheduled six-rounder on the Anderson-Martin card. Mason, who put de Oliveira down three times, appears to have all the ingredients to become a major player in the sport. He’s naturally gifted, he can box, he has power and he carries himself with the maturity of an older fighter. He’s definitely one to watch.

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Weekend Review: Jared Anderson learns, Canelo Alvarez surprises

Weekend Review: Jared Anderson’s learning experience, Savannah Marshall’s impressive victory and Canelo Alvarez’s surprising decision.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

BIGGEST WINNER
Jared Anderson

All top fighters have to walk through fire at some point to become true stars. Anderson, the 23-year-old heavyweight contender, suffered a minor burn in his unanimous decision victory over veteran Charles Martin in a 10-round bout Saturday in Toledo, Ohio, Anderson’s hometown. Martin (29-4-1, 26 KOs) became the first to take Anderson (15-0, 14 KOs) the distance, a fate that was inevitable as his opposition became stronger. And he had to overcome harrowing adversity in Round 5, when he was hurt by a straight left from his southpaw opponent midway through the round and took many more hard blows before the bell ended the threat. He got through it, demonstrating resilience that should serve him well going forward. Anderson didn’t look spectacular, as he had in previous fights against lower-level foes. That doesn’t mean he suddenly lacks the potential we thought he had. On the contrary, he survived a genuine challenge from a capable opponent – and late replacement – to win a one-sided decision and gained valuable experience in the process. I think more of Anderson than I did before he entered the ring on Saturday.

 

BIGGEST WINNER II
Savannah Marshall

Marshall isn’t as good as Claressa Shields – as we saw in October – but she reminded us how capable she is on Saturday in Manchester, England, where she survived the bruising tactics of Franchon Crews-Dezurn to win a majority decision and the undisputed 168-pound championship in an ugly fight. Crews-Dezurn isn’t much of a boxer but her incessant pressure, her ability to bull her way into close quarters poses a daunting physical challenge for any opponent. Marshall not only had the toughness to cope with Crews-Dezurn’s style but also created enough room to land stinging, eye-catching shots with more than enough consistency to earn 99-92 and 97-93 advantages on two of the three official cards. (Judge Paul Wallace’s 95-95 card is inexplicable). It was arguably the best night of the Englishwoman’s career. She now wants a rematch at 168 pounds with Shields, who defeated her by a convincing decision at 160 eight months ago. Marshall probably wouldn’t win that fight but one never knows. She sure looked formidable on Saturday.

 

BIGGEST SURPRISE
Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo

I made the assumption that when Alvarez signed a three-fight deal with Premier Boxing Champions that he would finally fight the best possible opponents his size. Well, he threw us a curve. The undisputed 168-pound champion announced on social media that he will fight his 154-pound counterpart Jermell Charlo on Sept. 30 in Las Vegas. Alvarez was expected to face the other Charlo, Jermall, a 160-pound titleholder. However, having him face the Mexican star after a two-plus-year layoff evidently was too much to ask. So Alvarez turned to Jermell Charlo. The junior middleweight champ is one of the best fighters in the world pound-for-pound, better than his brother. He has the ability to compete with Alvarez, particularly if the future Hall of Famer is in decline as many believe. The potential problem is that Charlo will have to move up two weight classes or 14 pounds, which could be a disadvantage that is impossible to overcome. I think there’s a good chance even this version of Alvarez will pummel Charlo, after which we’ll all wonder whether the fight should’ve been made in the first place. I’m disappointed.

 

RABBIT PUNCHES

Anderson showed a great deal of maturity during his post-fight interview Saturday, declining to call out the top heavyweights. Instead, he made it clear that his principal goal right now is to remain active. He said he wants to fight two more times this year. I hope he reaches 20 bouts before he tangles with the likes of Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua. … News item: Sky Sports has reported that Dillian Whyte has signed an agreement to face Joshua a second time on Aug. 12 in London. I guess that matchup would do good business in the U.K. but how many times are they going to trot out the powerful, but limited Whyte for a big fight? It’s getting boring. Of course, if Joshua meets Deontay Wilder late this year I’ll forget all about this unappetizing matchup. … Nineteen-year-old 135-pound prospect Abdullah Mason (9-0, 8 KOs) of Cleveland knocked out overmatched Alex de Oliveira (20-5, 14 KOs) in the second round of a scheduled six-rounder on the Anderson-Martin card. Mason, who put de Oliveira down three times, appears to have all the ingredients to become a major player in the sport. He’s naturally gifted, he can box, he has power and he carries himself with the maturity of an older fighter. He’s definitely one to watch.

[lawrence-related id=37980,37970,37967,37961]

Savannah Marshall takes Franchon Crews-Dezurn’s titles, calls out Claressa Shields

Savannah Marshall outpointed Franchon Crews-Dezurn to win the 168-pound championship and then called out Claressa Shields on Saturday.

Savannah Marshall got past an imposing American this time.

The English fighter, coming off a loss to pound-for-pound queen Claressa Shields at 160 pounds, bounced back by outpointing Franchon Crews-Dezurn to take her undisputed 168-pound championship Saturday in Manchester, England.

One judge scored it a 95-95 draw but the other two had Marshall winning, 99-92 and 97-93. Boxing Junkie also had it 97-93 for Marshall, seven rounds to three.

“Sweet dreams,” a beaming Mashall said afterward. “I can’t describe how I’m feeling at the minute.”

Marshall (13-1, 10 KOs) had to contend with the sublime skill set of Shields in October, when she lost a unanimous decision and her middleweight belt in London. She had to cope with brute strength against Crews-Dezurn.

The Baltimore fighter maintained pressure on Marshall the entire fight, bulling her way inside and often roughing up Marshall in a fight that quickly became an ugly combination of wrestling and boxing.

The problem for Crews-Dezurn was that she didn’t get much done when the fighters were close to one another, as they almost invariably ended up in a clinch that hard-working referee Victor Loughlin had to break up.

Meanwhile, Marshall, the better boxer of the two, did a good job of landing sharp, accurate punches when she had room to do so. She clearly landed the cleaner shots, which would account for the scoring in her favor.

Afterward, she acknowledged that she had engaged in a physically demanding fight when she was asked whether it was as hard as it looked.

“Even harder,” she said. “I think I broke my hand on her head. She’s a tough, tough woman.”

Marshall would like another tough test next: A second shot at Shields, although Shadasia Green is the new champion’s mandatory challenger in two of the four major sanctioning bodies.

Marshall made it clear multiple times before the fight on Saturday and in the ring afterward that she wants a rematch, although this time at 168 because she can no longer make 160. In fact, she said directly to Shields, who was in Manchester to support Crews-Dezurn, “Let’s get it on at 168.”

Shields hasn’t expressed eagerness to face Marshall again. However, a second fight would be lucrative and the opportunity to fight for another undisputed championship could be enticing for Shields.

Marshall’s promoter, Ben Shalom, seemed to say he would target Shields and made it clear that the American star would have to move up in weight, although Shields beat Crews-Dezurn at 168 in 2016 and held two titles in the division in 2017 and 2018.

“What’s next? I think we know,” Shalom said. “… I think it has to be at super middleweight. That’s where Savannah is the best fighter in world, we believe. That’s where the rematch has to happen.”

Savannah Marshall takes Franchon Crews-Dezurn’s titles, calls out Claressa Shields

Savannah Marshall outpointed Franchon Crews-Dezurn to win the 168-pound championship and then called out Claressa Shields on Saturday.

Savannah Marshall got past an imposing American this time.

The English fighter, coming off a loss to pound-for-pound queen Claressa Shields at 160 pounds, bounced back by outpointing Franchon Crews-Dezurn to take her undisputed 168-pound championship Saturday in Manchester, England.

One judge scored it a 95-95 draw but the other two had Marshall winning, 99-92 and 97-93. Boxing Junkie also had it 97-93 for Marshall, seven rounds to three.

“Sweet dreams,” a beaming Mashall said afterward. “I can’t describe how I’m feeling at the minute.”

Marshall (13-1, 10 KOs) had to contend with the sublime skill set of Shields in October, when she lost a unanimous decision and her middleweight belt in London. She had to cope with brute strength against Crews-Dezurn.

The Baltimore fighter maintained pressure on Marshall the entire fight, bulling her way inside and often roughing up Marshall in a fight that quickly became an ugly combination of wrestling and boxing.

The problem for Crews-Dezurn was that she didn’t get much done when the fighters were close to one another, as they almost invariably ended up in a clinch that hard-working referee Victor Loughlin had to break up.

Meanwhile, Marshall, the better boxer of the two, did a good job of landing sharp, accurate punches when she had room to do so. She clearly landed the cleaner shots, which would account for the scoring in her favor.

Afterward, she acknowledged that she had engaged in a physically demanding fight when she was asked whether it was as hard as it looked.

“Even harder,” she said. “I think I broke my hand on her head. She’s a tough, tough woman.”

Marshall would like another tough test next: A second shot at Shields, although Shadasia Green is the new champion’s mandatory challenger in two of the four major sanctioning bodies.

Marshall made it clear multiple times before the fight on Saturday and in the ring afterward that she wants a rematch, although this time at 168 because she can no longer make 160. In fact, she said directly to Shields, who was in Manchester to support Crews-Dezurn, “Let’s get it on at 168.”

Shields hasn’t expressed eagerness to face Marshall again. However, a second fight would be lucrative and the opportunity to fight for another undisputed championship could be enticing for Shields.

Marshall’s promoter, Ben Shalom, seemed to say he would target Shields and made it clear that the American star would have to move up in weight, although Shields beat Crews-Dezurn at 168 in 2016 and held two titles in the division in 2017 and 2018.

“What’s next? I think we know,” Shalom said. “… I think it has to be at super middleweight. That’s where Savannah is the best fighter in world, we believe. That’s where the rematch has to happen.”

Franchon Crews-Dezurn, Savannah Marshall keep it nasty at final news conference

Franchon Crews-Dezurn and Savannah Marshall kept it nasty at the final news conference before their fight on Saturday.

Super middleweight champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn and challenger Savannah Marshall continued to jab one another ahead of their fight Saturday in Manchester, England (ESPN+).

Crews-Dezurn suggested that Marshall lost to Claressa Shields in October because she underestimated the pound-for-pound queen, a product of feeling entitled. Marshall countered by implying she lost because Shields is a great fighter and said that her current opponent is no Claressa Shields, who defeated Crews-Dezurn in 2016.

No, Crews-Dezurn and Marshall didn’t express much respect for one another Thursday at the final news conference before they meet in the ring.

“I’m not like her,” Crews-Dezurn said. “Unfortunately she got a defeat because she underestimated [Shields]. That’s what happens when you think everything is going to be given to you.

“You let somebody come into your [country], beat you, dog-walk you. You let somebody come and take something that was yours because you got complacent. That’s you, not me.”

The Baltimore fighter went on, making a reference to Marshall’s victory over Shields when they were amateurs: “You had 10 years, 10 rounds to prepare [for Shields] and couldn’t even do it. You better kiss my feet and be happy I came to the ring to give you an opportunity.

“I’m better than you, I’m more diverse than you.”

Marshall (12-1, 10 KOs) would have none of that.

“I didn’t get complacent at all,” he said. “You’re nothing like Claressa. You won’t dog-walk me at all. The reality of it is I don’t have to say anything. I’m a better fighter than you.”

She continued, pointing out that Crews-Dezurn’s relative inactivity – two fights over the past 2½ years – doesn’t reflect well on her.

“The difference between me and you is you sit about on your lazy a– waiting for opportunities,” Marshall said. “This was why you’ve boxed twice in two years.”

Crews-Dezurn (8-1, 2 KOs) jabbed back at Marshall by saying her resume speaks for itself.

“How can you say I sit on my lazy a– and didn’t create an opportunity when it took five minutes to introduce me [at the news conference] because I do so many things and when you’ve got hustle personified here,” he said.

“I self-manage myself. I made deals with Golden Boy and all these other promoters when you had other things handed to you.”

You get the idea. They couldn’t have been much nastier to one another two days before their fight. We’ll see whether they bring that nastiness into the ring.

[lawrence-related id=37934,33430]

Franchon Crews-Dezurn, Savannah Marshall keep it nasty at final news conference

Franchon Crews-Dezurn and Savannah Marshall kept it nasty at the final news conference before their fight on Saturday.

Super middleweight champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn and challenger Savannah Marshall continued to jab one another ahead of their fight Saturday in Manchester, England (ESPN+).

Crews-Dezurn suggested that Marshall lost to Claressa Shields in October because she underestimated the pound-for-pound queen, a product of feeling entitled. Marshall countered by implying she lost because Shields is a great fighter and said that her current opponent is no Claressa Shields, who defeated Crews-Dezurn in 2016.

No, Crews-Dezurn and Marshall didn’t express much respect for one another Thursday at the final news conference before they meet in the ring.

“I’m not like her,” Crews-Dezurn said. “Unfortunately she got a defeat because she underestimated [Shields]. That’s what happens when you think everything is going to be given to you.

“You let somebody come into your [country], beat you, dog-walk you. You let somebody come and take something that was yours because you got complacent. That’s you, not me.”

The Baltimore fighter went on, making a reference to Marshall’s victory over Shields when they were amateurs: “You had 10 years, 10 rounds to prepare [for Shields] and couldn’t even do it. You better kiss my feet and be happy I came to the ring to give you an opportunity.

“I’m better than you, I’m more diverse than you.”

Marshall (12-1, 10 KOs) would have none of that.

“I didn’t get complacent at all,” he said. “You’re nothing like Claressa. You won’t dog-walk me at all. The reality of it is I don’t have to say anything. I’m a better fighter than you.”

She continued, pointing out that Crews-Dezurn’s relative inactivity – two fights over the past 2½ years – doesn’t reflect well on her.

“The difference between me and you is you sit about on your lazy a– waiting for opportunities,” Marshall said. “This was why you’ve boxed twice in two years.”

Crews-Dezurn (8-1, 2 KOs) jabbed back at Marshall by saying her resume speaks for itself.

“How can you say I sit on my lazy a– and didn’t create an opportunity when it took five minutes to introduce me [at the news conference] because I do so many things and when you’ve got hustle personified here,” he said.

“I self-manage myself. I made deals with Golden Boy and all these other promoters when you had other things handed to you.”

You get the idea. They couldn’t have been much nastier to one another two days before their fight. We’ll see whether they bring that nastiness into the ring.

[lawrence-related id=37934,33430]

Franchon Crews-Dezurn vs. Savannah Marshall: date, time, how to watch, background

Franchon Crews-Dezurn vs. Savannah Marshall: date, time, how to watch, background.

Super middleweight champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn could face her toughest test when she defends against Savannah Marshall on Saturday in England.

FRANCHON CREWS-DEZURN (8-1, 2 KOs)
VS. SAVANNAH MARSHALL (12-1, 10 KOS)

  • Date: Saturday, July 1
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: AO Arena, Manchester, England
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Super middleweight (168 pounds)
  • At stake: Crews-Dezurn’s undisputed championship
  • Odds: Marshall 3½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Natasha Jonas vs. Kandi Wyatt, welterweights (for vacant IBF title); Zak Chelli vs. Mark Jeffers, super middleweights
  • Prediction: Marshall UD
  • Background: Crews-Dezurn has been the dominant 168-pounder of the past half decade but faces a daunting challenge on Saturday. The 36-year-old from Baltimore started her career with a loss against future superstar Claressa Shields but has been undefeated since then, not counting a loss to Alejandra Jimenez that was later ruled a no-contest after Jimenez failed a drug test. Crews-Dezurn has been a titleholder since winning her first belt in 2018. She is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Elin Cederroos in April of last year that unified all four major super middleweight titles. Her next fight is her toughest since Jimenez, at least on paper. Marshall, a one-time amateur star, is one of the most skillful female boxers in the world. And she has one of the highest knockout percentages in the business, which is an indication of her punching power. She last fought in October, when Shields outpointed her in a 160-pound title-unification bout. Marshall didn’t do enough to earn the decision but gave a solid performance against the No. 1 female fighter. She’ll be moving up in weight to face Crews-Dezurn, which shouldn’t be a problem for her. She fought at super middleweight early in her career.

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Franchon Crews-Dezurn vs. Savannah Marshall: date, time, how to watch, background

Franchon Crews-Dezurn vs. Savannah Marshall: date, time, how to watch, background.

Super middleweight champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn could face her toughest test when she defends against Savannah Marshall on Saturday in England.

FRANCHON CREWS-DEZURN (8-1, 2 KOs)
VS. SAVANNAH MARSHALL (12-1, 10 KOS)

  • Date: Saturday, July 1
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: AO Arena, Manchester, England
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Super middleweight (168 pounds)
  • At stake: Crews-Dezurn’s undisputed championship
  • Odds: Marshall 3½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Natasha Jonas vs. Kandi Wyatt, welterweights (for vacant IBF title); Zak Chelli vs. Mark Jeffers, super middleweights
  • Prediction: Marshall UD
  • Background: Crews-Dezurn has been the dominant 168-pounder of the past half decade but faces a daunting challenge on Saturday. The 36-year-old from Baltimore started her career with a loss against future superstar Claressa Shields but has been undefeated since then, not counting a loss to Alejandra Jimenez that was later ruled a no-contest after Jimenez failed a drug test. Crews-Dezurn has been a titleholder since winning her first belt in 2018. She is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Elin Cederroos in April of last year that unified all four major super middleweight titles. Her next fight is her toughest since Jimenez, at least on paper. Marshall, a one-time amateur star, is one of the most skillful female boxers in the world. And she has one of the highest knockout percentages in the business, which is an indication of her punching power. She last fought in October, when Shields outpointed her in a 160-pound title-unification bout. Marshall didn’t do enough to earn the decision but gave a solid performance against the No. 1 female fighter. She’ll be moving up in weight to face Crews-Dezurn, which shouldn’t be a problem for her. She fought at super middleweight early in her career.

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Fight Week: Jared Anderson will take center stage against Charles Martin

Fight Week: Jared Anderson will take center stage against Charles Martin on Saturday in Toledo, Ohio, Anderson’s hometown.

FIGHT WEEK

Rising heavyweight contender Jared Anderson will be the featured fighter on the card when he faces Charles Martin on Saturday in Toledo, Ohio, Anderson’s hometown.

JARED ANDERSON (14-0, 14 KOs)
VS. CHARLES MARTIN (29-3-1, 26 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, July 1
  • Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Huntington Center, Toledo, Ohio
  • TV/Stream: ESPN, ESPN+
  • Division: Heavyweight (no limit)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Odds: Anderson 7½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Arslanbek Makhmudov vs. Raphael Akpejiori, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Anderson KO 7
  • Background: Anderson will be taking center stage at only 23. The heavyweight contender from Toledo, who will be fighting Martin in front of his hometown fans, has been building toward main event exposure by knocking out all 14 of his professional opponents. He’s a terrific athlete with elite punching power and his skills are improving with every fight, making him a potential star. He just has to prove that he can beat top-level big men. Martin doesn’t fall into that category but he’s a former titleholder with solid ability, making him arguably Anderson’s toughest test to date. The 37-year-old from St. Louis bounced back from a sixth-round knockout loss to Luis Ortiz in January of last year by stopping Devin Vargas in four eight months later. He briefly reigned as IBF beltholder in 2016, losing his title by a second-round knockout against Anthony Joshua. Anderson had been scheduled to face Zhan Kossobutskiy of Khazakhstan but Kossobutskiy was pulled from the card about a week and a half ago because he couldn’t procure a visa. Martin agreed to step in at that time.

 

FRANCHON CREWS-DEZURN (8-1, 2 KOs)
VS. SAVANNAH MARSHALL (12-1, 10 KOS)

  • Date: Saturday, July 1
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: AO Arena, Manchester, England
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Super middleweight (168 pounds)
  • At stake: Crews-Dezurn’s undisputed championship
  • Odds: Marshall 3½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Natasha Jonas vs. Kandi Wyatt, welterweights (for vacant IBF title); Zak Chelli vs. Mark Jeffers, super middleweights
  • Prediction: Marshall UD
  • Background: Crews-Dezurn has been the dominant 168-pounder of the past half decade but faces a daunting challenge on Saturday. The 36-year-old from Baltimore started her career with a loss against future superstar Claressa Shields but has been undefeated since then, including a run as champion since winning her first belt in 2018. She is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Elin Cederroos in April of last year that unified all four major super middleweight titles. Her next fight is her toughest, at least on paper. Marshall, a one-time amateur star, is one of the most skillful female boxers in the world. And she has one of the highest knockout percentages in the business, which is an indication of her punching power. She last fought in October, when Shields outpointed her in a 160-pound title-unification bout. Marshall didn’t do enough to earn the decision but gave a solid performance against the No. 1 female fighter. She’ll be moving up in weight to face Crews-Dezurn, which shouldn’t be a problem for her. She fought at super middleweight early in her career.

 

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY

  • Panya Pradabsri vs. Norihito Tanaka, strawweights (for Pradabsri’s WBC title), Rayong, Thailand (no TV in U.S.)
  • Pedro Guevara vs. Miguel Herrera, junior bantamweights, Culican, Mexico (ProBox TV)

THURSDAY

  • Kurt Scoby vs. Hank Lundy, junior welterweights, New York (BoxingInsiders social media)

SATURDAY

  • Dalton Smith vs. Sam Maxwell, junior welterweights, Sheffield, England (DAZN)
  • Esquiva Falcao vs. Vincenzo Gualtieri, middleweights (for vacant IBF title), Wuppertal, Germany (no TV in U.S.)

SUNDAY

  • Sivenathi Nontshinga vs. Regie Suganob, junior flyweights (for Nontshinga’s IBF title), East London, South Africa (no TV in U.S.)

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Fight Week: Jared Anderson will take center stage against Charles Martin

Fight Week: Jared Anderson will take center stage against Charles Martin on Saturday in Toledo, Ohio, Anderson’s hometown.

FIGHT WEEK

Rising heavyweight contender Jared Anderson will be the featured fighter on the card when he faces Charles Martin on Saturday in Toledo, Ohio, Anderson’s hometown.

JARED ANDERSON (14-0, 14 KOs)
VS. CHARLES MARTIN (29-3-1, 26 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, July 1
  • Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Huntington Center, Toledo, Ohio
  • TV/Stream: ESPN, ESPN+
  • Division: Heavyweight (no limit)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Odds: Anderson 7½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Arslanbek Makhmudov vs. Raphael Akpejiori, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Anderson KO 7
  • Background: Anderson will be taking center stage at only 23. The heavyweight contender from Toledo, who will be fighting Martin in front of his hometown fans, has been building toward main event exposure by knocking out all 14 of his professional opponents. He’s a terrific athlete with elite punching power and his skills are improving with every fight, making him a potential star. He just has to prove that he can beat top-level big men. Martin doesn’t fall into that category but he’s a former titleholder with solid ability, making him arguably Anderson’s toughest test to date. The 37-year-old from St. Louis bounced back from a sixth-round knockout loss to Luis Ortiz in January of last year by stopping Devin Vargas in four eight months later. He briefly reigned as IBF beltholder in 2016, losing his title by a second-round knockout against Anthony Joshua. Anderson had been scheduled to face Zhan Kossobutskiy of Khazakhstan but Kossobutskiy was pulled from the card about a week and a half ago because he couldn’t procure a visa. Martin agreed to step in at that time.

 

FRANCHON CREWS-DEZURN (8-1, 2 KOs)
VS. SAVANNAH MARSHALL (12-1, 10 KOS)

  • Date: Saturday, July 1
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: AO Arena, Manchester, England
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Super middleweight (168 pounds)
  • At stake: Crews-Dezurn’s undisputed championship
  • Odds: Marshall 3½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Natasha Jonas vs. Kandi Wyatt, welterweights (for vacant IBF title); Zak Chelli vs. Mark Jeffers, super middleweights
  • Prediction: Marshall UD
  • Background: Crews-Dezurn has been the dominant 168-pounder of the past half decade but faces a daunting challenge on Saturday. The 36-year-old from Baltimore started her career with a loss against future superstar Claressa Shields but has been undefeated since then, including a run as champion since winning her first belt in 2018. She is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Elin Cederroos in April of last year that unified all four major super middleweight titles. Her next fight is her toughest, at least on paper. Marshall, a one-time amateur star, is one of the most skillful female boxers in the world. And she has one of the highest knockout percentages in the business, which is an indication of her punching power. She last fought in October, when Shields outpointed her in a 160-pound title-unification bout. Marshall didn’t do enough to earn the decision but gave a solid performance against the No. 1 female fighter. She’ll be moving up in weight to face Crews-Dezurn, which shouldn’t be a problem for her. She fought at super middleweight early in her career.

 

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY

  • Panya Pradabsri vs. Norihito Tanaka, strawweights (for Pradabsri’s WBC title), Rayong, Thailand (no TV in U.S.)
  • Pedro Guevara vs. Miguel Herrera, junior bantamweights, Culican, Mexico (ProBox TV)

THURSDAY

  • Kurt Scoby vs. Hank Lundy, junior welterweights, New York (BoxingInsiders social media)

SATURDAY

  • Dalton Smith vs. Sam Maxwell, junior welterweights, Sheffield, England (DAZN)
  • Esquiva Falcao vs. Vincenzo Gualtieri, middleweights (for vacant IBF title), Wuppertal, Germany (no TV in U.S.)

SUNDAY

  • Sivenathi Nontshinga vs. Regie Suganob, junior flyweights (for Nontshinga’s IBF title), East London, South Africa (no TV in U.S.)

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