Tag: Franchon Crews-Dezurn

Weekend Review: Claressa Shields should be satisfied with dominating victories

Weekend Review: Claressa Shields should focus less on getting knockouts and more on her dominating victories.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

BIGGEST WINNER
Claressa Shields

Shields might be wise to stop worrying about knockouts. It’s more difficult for women to deliver stoppages because of two-minute rounds, particularly against capable opponents like Maricela Cornejo. And let’s face it: Shields isn’t a big puncher. Otherwise she’d have more than two KOs in 14 fights. She’s arguably what her nickname (GWOAT) suggests, the best female boxer of all time without many stoppages. Shouldn’t that be sufficient? Shields (14-0, 2 KOs) obviously doesn’t think so. The undisputed 160-pound champion said going into her defense against Cornejo on Saturday that she has been working on her punching power, with more knockouts in mind. And she clearly tried to end the Cornejo fight early, loading up and throwing massive punches – some of them wild – intended to incapacitate Cornejo. The problem for Shields is that the challenger was durable and clever enough to absorb the punishment and survive to hear the final bell. As a result, Shields failed in a sense. She won a shutout decision but didn’t realize her stated goal of getting KO No. 3, which left her somewhat frustrated. I believe dominating, unanimous-decision victories are enough. Shields should fight like she did late in the Cornejo fight, not in the sloppy manner of the early rounds. Jab, throw combinations, unleash fierce flurries. If the knockouts come, fine. If they don’t, that’s fine too. Shields is great and a major attraction either way.

 

RABBIT PUNCHES

Shields doesn’t have a lot of great options in her immediate future. She mentioned the possibility of fighting the winner of the July 1 fight between 168-pound champ Franchon Crews Dezurn and Savannah Marshall in her next fight or taking part in a “Four Queens”-style rivalry with Crew Dezurn, Marshall and Shadasia Green. The problem with that plan is that she has already beaten both Crews Dezurn and Marshall convincingly. Green is the most intriguing potential opponent even though she’s relatively unproven. The New Jersey fighter is 12-0 with 11 knockouts, albeit against second-tier opposition. The fact is the 160- and 168-pound talent pool isn’t deep. … It was nice to see big-time boxing return to Detroit, which produced Joe Louis and many other great fighters. I just hope Michigan’s Unarmed Combat Commission learned some lessons from the card on Saturday. In particular, the ending of the Ardreal Holmes–Wendy Toussaint fight was chaotic. Toussaint suffered a deep cut on his forehead as a result of a clash of heads in the eighth round. The ring doctor allowed the fight to go on but referee Gerald White decided to stop it moments after it continued. White should be applauded for taking decisive action but he should never have engaged the doctor after making his decision. The referee has the discretion to make any move he deems appropriate. I’m guessing Michigan officials will review the card and be better the next time around. … The Holmes-Toussaint result – split decision for Holmes – was immediately disputed because Toussaint seemed to control the second half of the fight and had all the momentum when it was stopped. Holmes should give Toussaint a rematch.

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Weekend Review: Claressa Shields should be satisfied with dominating victories

Weekend Review: Claressa Shields should focus less on getting knockouts and more on her dominating victories.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

BIGGEST WINNER
Claressa Shields

Shields might be wise to stop worrying about knockouts. It’s more difficult for women to deliver stoppages because of two-minute rounds, particularly against capable opponents like Maricela Cornejo. And let’s face it: Shields isn’t a big puncher. Otherwise she’d have more than two KOs in 14 fights. She’s arguably what her nickname (GWOAT) suggests, the best female boxer of all time without many stoppages. Shouldn’t that be sufficient? Shields (14-0, 2 KOs) obviously doesn’t think so. The undisputed 160-pound champion said going into her defense against Cornejo on Saturday that she has been working on her punching power, with more knockouts in mind. And she clearly tried to end the Cornejo fight early, loading up and throwing massive punches – some of them wild – intended to incapacitate Cornejo. The problem for Shields is that the challenger was durable and clever enough to absorb the punishment and survive to hear the final bell. As a result, Shields failed in a sense. She won a shutout decision but didn’t realize her stated goal of getting KO No. 3, which left her somewhat frustrated. I believe dominating, unanimous-decision victories are enough. Shields should fight like she did late in the Cornejo fight, not in the sloppy manner of the early rounds. Jab, throw combinations, unleash fierce flurries. If the knockouts come, fine. If they don’t, that’s fine too. Shields is great and a major attraction either way.

 

RABBIT PUNCHES

Shields doesn’t have a lot of great options in her immediate future. She mentioned the possibility of fighting the winner of the July 1 fight between 168-pound champ Franchon Crews Dezurn and Savannah Marshall in her next fight or taking part in a “Four Queens”-style rivalry with Crew Dezurn, Marshall and Shadasia Green. The problem with that plan is that she has already beaten both Crews Dezurn and Marshall convincingly. Green is the most intriguing potential opponent even though she’s relatively unproven. The New Jersey fighter is 12-0 with 11 knockouts, albeit against second-tier opposition. The fact is the 160- and 168-pound talent pool isn’t deep. … It was nice to see big-time boxing return to Detroit, which produced Joe Louis and many other great fighters. I just hope Michigan’s Unarmed Combat Commission learned some lessons from the card on Saturday. In particular, the ending of the Ardreal Holmes–Wendy Toussaint fight was chaotic. Toussaint suffered a deep cut on his forehead as a result of a clash of heads in the eighth round. The ring doctor allowed the fight to go on but referee Gerald White decided to stop it moments after it continued. White should be applauded for taking decisive action but he should never have engaged the doctor after making his decision. The referee has the discretion to make any move he deems appropriate. I’m guessing Michigan officials will review the card and be better the next time around. … The Holmes-Toussaint result – split decision for Holmes – was immediately disputed because Toussaint seemed to control the second half of the fight and had all the momentum when it was stopped. Holmes should give Toussaint a rematch.

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Claressa Shields has to settle for shutout decision over Maricela Cornejo

Claressa Shields had to be satisfied with a shutout decision over Maricela Cornejo on Saturday in Detroit.

Claressa Shields didn’t get her knockout but she dominated nonetheless.

The undisputed 160-pound champion defeated late replacement Maricela Cornejo by a shutout decision to retain her titles in front of her home-area fans Saturday at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

The official scores were 100-89, 100-90 and 100-90. Boxing Junkie also had it 100-90, 10 rounds to none.

Shields (14-0, 2 KOs) has been working in training camp on getting the only thing missing in her career, knockouts.

She clearly tried to score one against Cornejo (16-6, 6 KOs) from the opening bell, unleashing single bomb and after single bomb in an effort to hurt he overmatched opponent.

And many of them landed to the head of the challenger. The problem for Shields was that Cornejo has a good chin and is clever enough to survive for 10 two-minute, holding, using her feet, whatever it took.

Cornejo didn’t run the entire fight. She actually landed some nice shots here and there. However, she spent the bulk of her energy trying to keep her head attached to her body.

Shields was particularly effective when she pulled back to some degree and relied more on her boxing skills than big punches. However, it still wasn’t enough to stop Cornejo.

The No. 1 female boxer pound-for-pound seemed a bit frustrated afterward but was pleased with another dominating victory.

“I won every round like I knew I could,” she said in the ring afterward. “I pressed for the knockout. … Maricela is just tough. And she has a good right hand herself. She was very smart and sturdy when I started hitting her.

“She knew how to survive. So she did a great job.”

What’s next?

Two fighters Shields has already beaten — undisputed 168-pound champ Franchon Crews Dezurn and Savannah Marshall — are scheduled to meet on July 1 in Manchester, England.

Shields said she plans to be on hand for the fight, the idea being she could face the winner. However, she made one hting clear: The fight won’t take place in the U.K.

“I’m only interested in fighting the best,” she said. “I’ll be looking at that fight. I think I’ll go over to the U.K. and show my face. … Whoever wins, if they want to come here, I’m down for it.”

Claressa Shields has to settle for shutout decision over Maricela Cornejo

Claressa Shields had to be satisfied with a shutout decision over Maricela Cornejo on Saturday in Detroit.

Claressa Shields didn’t get her knockout but she dominated nonetheless.

The undisputed 160-pound champion defeated late replacement Maricela Cornejo by a shutout decision to retain her titles in front of her home-area fans Saturday at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

The official scores were 100-89, 100-90 and 100-90. Boxing Junkie also had it 100-90, 10 rounds to none.

Shields (14-0, 2 KOs) has been working in training camp on getting the only thing missing in her career, knockouts.

She clearly tried to score one against Cornejo (16-6, 6 KOs) from the opening bell, unleashing single bomb and after single bomb in an effort to hurt he overmatched opponent.

And many of them landed to the head of the challenger. The problem for Shields was that Cornejo has a good chin and is clever enough to survive for 10 two-minute, holding, using her feet, whatever it took.

Cornejo didn’t run the entire fight. She actually landed some nice shots here and there. However, she spent the bulk of her energy trying to keep her head attached to her body.

Shields was particularly effective when she pulled back to some degree and relied more on her boxing skills than big punches. However, it still wasn’t enough to stop Cornejo.

The No. 1 female boxer pound-for-pound seemed a bit frustrated afterward but was pleased with another dominating victory.

“I won every round like I knew I could,” she said in the ring afterward. “I pressed for the knockout. … Maricela is just tough. And she has a good right hand herself. She was very smart and sturdy when I started hitting her.

“She knew how to survive. So she did a great job.”

What’s next?

Two fighters Shields has already beaten — undisputed 168-pound champ Franchon Crews Dezurn and Savannah Marshall — are scheduled to meet on July 1 in Manchester, England.

Shields said she plans to be on hand for the fight, the idea being she could face the winner. However, she made one hting clear: The fight won’t take place in the U.K.

“I’m only interested in fighting the best,” she said. “I’ll be looking at that fight. I think I’ll go over to the U.K. and show my face. … Whoever wins, if they want to come here, I’m down for it.”

Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano: Live results from Madison Square Garden card

Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano: Boxing junkie will post live results from the Madison Square Garden card.

Boxing Junkie will provide live results on this post immediately following lightweight champion Katie Taylor’s defense against Amanda Serrano on Saturday in New York. Also, we’ll have results from the other featured fights.

Here is the lineup:

  • Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano, lightweights (for Taylor’s undisputed championship)
  • Jessie Vargas vs. Liam Smith, junior middleweights
  • Franchon Crews-Dezurn vs. Elin Cederroos, super middleweights (for Cederroos’ IBF and WBA and Crews’ WBC and WBO titles)
  • Austin Williams vs. Chordale Booker, middleweights

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Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano: Live results from Madison Square Garden card

Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano: Boxing junkie will post live results from the Madison Square Garden card.

Boxing Junkie will provide live results on this post immediately following lightweight champion Katie Taylor’s defense against Amanda Serrano on Saturday in New York. Also, we’ll have results from the other featured fights.

Here is the lineup:

  • Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano, lightweights (for Taylor’s undisputed championship)
  • Jessie Vargas vs. Liam Smith, junior middleweights
  • Franchon Crews-Dezurn vs. Elin Cederroos, super middleweights (for Cederroos’ IBF and WBA and Crews’ WBC and WBO titles)
  • Austin Williams vs. Chordale Booker, middleweights

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Alejandra Jimenez suspended through Oct. 21 over positive test

Alejandra Jimenez has been suspended for nine months by the WBC after testing positive for a banned substance in January, ESPN is reporting.

Alejandra Jimenez will be out of action until at least late October.

The super middleweight from Mexico has been suspended for nine months by the WBC after testing positive for a banned substance in January, ESPN is reporting.

Jimenez defeated Franchon Crews-Dezurn by a split decision on Jan. 11 in San Antonio. However, a sample taken from Jimenez the day before the fight tested positive for stanozolol and the finding was later confirmed.

The fight was declared a no-decision and the title belts Jimenez won that night reverted back to Crews-Dezurn.

She was suspended retroactively to the fight date, meaning she can fight again after Oct. 21. She also will be on probation through October of next year.

READ MORE

Franchon Crews-Dezurn reinstated as titleholder, Alejandra Jimenez stripped

Alejandra Jimenez’s ‘B’ Sample reported to be positive

Alejandra Jimenez allegedly tests positive for banned substance

Alejandra Jimenez outpoints Franchon Crews-Dezurn to win title

 

Franchon Crews-Dezurn reinstated as titleholder, Alejandra Jimenez stripped

Franchon Crews-Dezurn has been reinstated as 168-pound titleholder after the WBO decided to strip Alejandra Jimenez of the belt.

Franchon Crews-Dezurn can go back to calling herself a women’s super middleweight titleholder.

The Washington D.C. fighter was reinstated as a WBO titlist after the sanctioning body formally stripped Alejandra Jimenez of the belt earlier this week for failing to adequately defend her positive PED test, according to multiple reports.

Jimenez tested for a banned substance shortly after notching a wide points decision over Crews-Dezurn in their Jan. 10 title bout. That fight has since been changed to a no-decision.

According to a letter sent by the WBO to both fighters, obtained by BoxingScene.com, Jimenez was dropped as the titleholder because her argument in defense of her positive drug test was not up to snuff.

The letter read in part: “Ms. Jimenez failed to comply with this Committee’s orders as per the ‘Show Cause’ notices. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Ms. Jimenez filed two email communications with no reliable, credible, or relevant supporting evidence in her defense, rather unfounded allegations unsupported in the record.”

Said Crews-Dezurn promoter Golden Boy CEO Oscar De La Hoya: “Justice has been served. This is the correct decision to make on behalf of the WBO to reinstate Franchon Crews-Dezurn as its super middleweight champion. It is always great to see justice in action, especially in this sport.”

Jimenez’s “A” and “B” samples allegedly both tested positive for Stanozolol, a synthetic substance derived from testosterone that promotes cell growth and the development of masculine characteristics.

Alejandra Jimenez’s ‘B’ Sample reported to be positive

Alejandra Jimenez reportedly has tested positive for a PED in her ‘B’ Sample test, according to a report by BoxingScene.

Alejandra Jimenez may end up having to hand back her women’s super middleweight belts to Franchon Crews-Dezurn.

Jimenez wrested two titles from Crews-Dezurn in their spirited Jan. 11 fight in San Antonio only to learn that a urine sample — her “A” sample — collected by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency the day before the bout tested positive for a banned substance.

Now, according to BoxingScene.com sources, Jimenez’s “B” sample has also come back positive.

The banned substance was Stanozolol, a synthetic substance derived from testosterone that promotes cell growth and the development of masculine characteristics. Jimenez had the choice of either presenting a defense at a hearing or having her “B Sample” tested. Jimenez opted for the latter.

None of the parties involved have commented on the matter, as the results of the drug test have not been officially announced.

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, which oversees combat sports in the state, is in the process of changing the official outcome of the Jan. 11 title fight to a no-decision.

Alejandra Jimenez allegedly tests positive for banned substance

A sample taken from Alejandra Jimenez the day before she beat Franchon Crews-Dezurn allegedly tested positive for a banned substance.

Alejandra Jimenez made a splash by outpointing Franchon Crews-Dezurn to win two titles on Jan. 11. Now the victory could amount to nothing.

A sample taken from Jimenez the day before the fight tested positive for a banned substance, according to the World Boxing Council, which sanctioned the bout.

The banned substance wasn’t identified.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman issued the following statement:

“The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) has notified the WBC that an “A” Sample collected on January 10 from WBC Female Super Middleweight World Champion Alejandra Jimenez has yielded an adverse finding for a banned substance under the WBC Clean Boxing Program. The WBC will follow its customary protocol by, among other steps, affording Champion Jimenez the opportunity to witness the opening of the “B” Sample, or send a representative to do so.

“The WBC will conduct an in-depth investigation of the circumstances that led to the adverse finding. Champion Alejandra Jimenez will receive the due process the WBC Clean Boxing Protocol provides. As it is customary in similar situations, the WBC will provide additional information as the investigative and adjudicative process moves forward.”

Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya, who handles Crews-Dezurn and promoted the fight, issued this statement:

“It is extremely unfortunate to learn that WBC and WBO Super Middleweight World Champion Alejandra Jimenez (13-0-1, 9 KOs) has tested positive for banned substances after her title fight with Franchon Crews-Dezurn (6-2, 2 KOs) on January 11. As Franchon’s promoter, we are incredibly disappointed for her as she worked incredibly hard to defend her titles.  However, our job is to ensure the safety of our fighters both inside and outside of the ring. Thus, we have always insisted and supported testing through the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) for all of our world championship fights. Jimenez’s fight against Franchon Crews-Dezurn is no exception. Now our job is to find justice for Franchon by working closely with the WBC and the WBO in order to re-instate her as a world champion.”

Crews-Dezurn’s trainer, Barry Hunter, told ESPN that he would like the fighters to meet again.

“I would still like to fight her again,” Hunter said. “I definitely think Franchon was the better fighter. I thought Jimenez’s advantage was that she was in better shape. Now with this coming out, and if this stands to be true, that’s a whole ‘nother ballgame.”