Jaime Munguia (35-0, 28 KOs) made a successful 160-pound debut by defeating Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan (30-4, 21 KOs) via 11th-round stoppage to capture the WBO Intercontinental Middleweight Title at The Alamodome in San Antonio, TX. The event was streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

“This was a new division for me,” said Jaime Munguia. “I felt stronger and with more conditioning, I just needed to adjust my speed to feel fully comfortable. I would give my performance a 7 or 8 because I needed to do a few more things, but we will get there fight by fight.”

“I was confused about whether to attack or not to attack. Sometimes I thought I had to attack, but I didn’t. But thanks to my corner and Erick Morales I was able to get him. On the last rounds, I was more attentive, even though I still got punched a few times.”

“I would like to fight the best of this division: Canelo, Golovkin, or the Charlos. I know they have more experience, but I look forward to those fights. I want to thank everyone in San Antonio and Viva Mexico.”

“I feel disappointed,” said Gary O’Sullivan. “I was hoping I could win, but I guess I wasn’t good enough to take him down. I just want to go home, spend time with my family and rest. I’ve been away for too long and I think it’s time for me to go and enjoy some time with them. I have made a great sacrifice for this fight, but it’s OK.”

In the co-main event, Alejandra “La Tigre” Jimenez (13-0-1, 9 KOs) of Mexico City, Mexicocaptured the unified WBO Super Middleweight World Title against Franchon “The Heavy-Hitting Diva” Crews-Dezurn (6-2, 2 KOs) of Baltimore, Maryland via majority decision in a 10-round fight. Jimenez won with scores of 97-93 and 98-92, while one judge scored 97-93 in favor of Crews-Dezurn.

“I feel great! This is amazing,” said Alejandra Jimenez. “I’ve accomplished one of my biggest dreams. I’ve been away from my family for a long time. This win is for them, my team, and my country, particularly my Cancun that I love so much.”

“I’m heartbroken, but I’ve been here before,” said Franchon Crews-Dezurn. “This is a learning experience; I have to go back and regroup with my team because I don’t think a decision on my favor was that far. This was a tough fight for me. This was my 8th fight, but I’m still learning and growing in the ring. I thank Golden Boy for the opportunity to show my skills in front of a Hispanic crowd and new people that haven’t met me before. I’m glad they were entertained. This wasn’t the outcome I wanted for my first fight of the year, but I will be back.”

|||||

By: Sean Crose

“I’m on edge,” Unified WBO Super Middleweight champion Franchon Crews Dezurn tells me. “I’m ready to fight.” With women’s boxing being on the rise, it’s good for fans to keep in mind that there’s more notable fighters out there than just those named Shields and Taylor. And one of those notable fighters is most certainly Dezurn, who will be defending her titles as the co-main of this Saturday’s Jaime Munguia – Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan card in Texas.

Dezurn’s opponent will be the undefeated, 12-0 Alejandra Jimenez, someone Dezurn feels well prepared to meet. “I’m very well versed in who I’m competing against,” she says.

What makes Dezurn interesting – aside from her considerable achievements in a professional career spanning just over three years – is her engaging personality. For Dezurn is a fighter who keeps moving forward, despite the obstacles. At 6-1, the thirty two year old didn’t let a loss in her first fight impact her. For starters, she was a last minute opponent for none other than Clarissa Shields. What’s more, Dezurn approached the defeat with a positive attitude. “I looked at it as an investment,” she says of the Shield’s bout. “If I would have won, that would have been crazy.”

While Jiminez doesn’t have the pedigree of Shields, Dezurn has no intention of writing her opponent off. “The only way I have made it this far,” Dezurn tells me, “is to bet on myself and to not underestimate anybody.” Part of betting on herself is staying focused, even on off days. “Today wasn’t the best day in the gym,” she says, for instance, “but I kept it strong and positive.” Aside from her skill inside the ring, Dezurn is downright philosophical when it comes to navigating her career. It’s not often, for instance, that an interview subject quotes Bruce Lee’s fighting philosophy off the top of his or her head. Then again, Dezurn is unique.

“What makes me different is I don’t see myself as just a fighter,” she says. “Not everybody has your best interest. Nobody’s going to believe in you like you believe in yourself.” Yet Dezurn also credits her husband, Glenn – a rising fighter in his own right – as being a major support. “My husband,” says Dezurn, “is one of my biggest influences.” Glenn, a super bantamweight, might also help broaden Dezurn’s appeal in a market where fans are always on the lookout for something new and different.

“To be the first married couple to be on the same card,” says Dezurn, “that’s on my wish list for 2020.”

Dezurn-Jiminez will be aired on DAZN as part of the Munguia-O’Sullivan card on Saturday, January 11th.

By: Sean Crose / BoxingInsider.com

||||