Franchon Crews-Dazurn doesn’t mind the daily grind that comes with serving as a championship-level boxer.
More rewarding to the unified super middleweight titlist, though, is reaping the rewards of her success.
The latest ring adventure for the 32-year old from Baltimore comes this weekend, when makes the first defense of her title reign versus Mexico City’s Alejandra ‘La Tigre’ Jimenez. The bout serves in supporting capacity to former 154-pound titlist Jaime Munguia’s middleweight debut versus Ireland’s Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan this weekend at The Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas (Saturday, DAZN, 9:00pm ET), and comes on the heels of a full training camp which ran through the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons.
“Not being able to celebrate (holidays) has never been a big deal to me, but I definitely wanted some of that food,” Crews-Dazurn (6-1, 2KOs) jokingly admitted to BoxingScene.com. “But you know what? I’ve had to make these sacrifices before, so it’s nothing new to me.
“Besides, I’m hungrier for my goals, to complete my mission of becoming undisputed champion and the best (in boxing). No sacrifice, no victory.”
There was a point when it was nearly all sacrifice for Crews-Dazurn, who once had visions of competing in the Olympics, only to instead land an unexpected pro debut against a two-time Olympic Gold medalist. The call came on short notice to face Claressa Shields, whom outpointed Crews-Dazurn in a four-round decision in the November 2016 pro debut for both boxers.
Shields has gone on to capture titles in three weight divisions—including a win over Ivana Habazin to add the 154-pound crown to her collection—in just 10 pro fights, surpassing the all-time mark of 12 fights to achieve such a feat which was shared by Vasiliy Lomachenko and Kosei Tanaka.
Such glory hasn’t quite yet made its way to Crews-Dazurn, although she remains unbeaten since her aforementioned loss to the current pound-for-pound queen. Six straight wins have followed for the 32-year old super middleweight, including a 10-round nod over Maricela Cornejo to win two 168 pound belts last September. The bout was due to come versus Jimenez (12-0-1, 9KOs), a former heavyweight titlist who was forced to withdraw due to not being able to secure a travel visa in time.
The two have since developed a fierce rivalry which promises to reach a boiling point on Saturday. Once the final bell rings, Crews-Dazurn expects to have her arm raised as winner and still champion. Afterward, will come the good life she’s promised herself.
“I never really had a post weigh-in or post-fight tradition for food or meals,” Crews-Dazurn notes. “But after this fight, after all the sacrifice made through the holidays and knowing how much this fight means, I just want to go a fancy restaurant. Somewhere real bougie, sip on some champagne and eat a real good meal while I’m all dressed up.
“Sequins, steak and champagne. That’s how I plan to celebrate Saturday night.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox