Fighters want glory, fame, money, they want everything!
But even the very best crave something special – respect.
And that’s what has brought Franchon Crews-Dezurn to Manchester to defend her undisputed world super-middleweight championship against Hartlepool’s Savannah Marshall.
Yes, the payday will be welcome too, but the opportunity to capture headlines and fans and respect from all quarters is a dominant factor.
“I want respect. I do have people who look up to me, but I’m not satisfied, I’m not content, I want more,” she told punch-lines.
“My bank account ain’t respected enough, the pound for pound list don’t respect me enough, my city don’t respect me enough so I’m going out into the world to get my respect.”
Crews-Dezurn has been at the top of the sport for well over a decade – remember the American, then just Franchon Crews before her marriage to Glenn Dezurn, boxed Marshall at the Olympic Test Event in London in 2011, when she was beaten on points.
As an amateur, she collected two medals in World Championships, and as a professional she has lost only once, to Claressa Shields on the night they both made their pro debuts.
Crews-Dezurn won the WBC and WBO super-middleweight titles and then at Madison Square Garden in April 2022, she defeated Sweden’s Elin Cederroos to become the undisputed champ, adding the WBA and IBF straps to her collection.
“I’m only in this position because I didn’t give up, I didn’t stop, I didn’t put limitations on myself, that’s the lifestyle I live, if I keep pushing, who knows where I’ll be,” she added.
Franchon believes recognition will come by fighting and beating her old amateur rival.
“She’s a two-time Olympian, a former world champion, she was on a best pound-for-pound list before me, even when I was a champion,” said the 36-year-old, from Baltimore.
“People consider her one of the best, so this fight makes sense – perfect place, perfect person, why not?
“And Savannah gets what she wants, another opportunity to be a champion.”
The two rivals were involved in a spat at Thursday’s media conference and there was tons of chatter on stage after the pair weighed in at New Century Hall, Savannah tipping the scales at 11st 13lbs and Franchon just five ounces more.
For all the bluster the respect is clear.
“It was all hot air,” said Crews-Franchon in reference to the sledging. “Of course [there’s respect], I love Savannah, it takes a warrior to get in the ring.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Lawrence Lustig/ BOXXER
