Boxing
A Night of Triumphs and Challenges in the Boxing Ring
2025-06-07

Friday night at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York, showcased a series of compelling boxing matches that tested the mettle of various contenders. In the main event, Brandon Moore retained his USBA heavyweight title against Stanley Wright despite an accidental headbutt that shifted the momentum. Meanwhile, Franchón Crews-Dezurn successfully defended her unified super middleweight titles in a grueling battle with Citlalli Ortiz. The card also featured several other notable performances, including Wendy Toussaint's victory over Joseph Hicks Jr. for the USBA junior middleweight title.

Moore's Resilience in the Face of Adversity

Brandon Moore emerged victorious in the main event, overcoming an unfortunate accident to secure his USBA heavyweight title. An accidental headbutt in the third round led to a significant cut above Moore’s eye, which could have derailed his performance. However, Moore demonstrated remarkable fortitude, ultimately winning by unanimous decision despite the setback. His power was evident early on when he dropped Wright in the second round.

The bout began promisingly for Moore as he exhibited his punching prowess by flooring Wright in the second round. However, the dynamics changed dramatically after the accidental clash of heads in the third round. Although medical personnel allowed the fight to proceed, the blood loss became concerning by the fifth round. Since the injury stemmed from an unintentional collision, the judges were tasked with evaluating the match based on their scorecards. Moore's comments post-fight revealed his disappointment about not securing a knockout but underscored his belief that Wright would have succumbed soon if the cut had not occurred. Looking ahead, Moore expressed his desire to face Jared Anderson next, signaling his ambition to climb higher in the ranks.

Crews-Dezurn's Determined Defense

In the co-main event, Franchón Crews-Dezurn successfully defended her unified WBC and WBA super middleweight titles against a spirited Citlalli Ortiz. Despite being pushed to her limits, Crews-Dezurn managed to outlast her opponent through a combination of strategic positioning and sheer resilience. This contest marked her debut under Salita Promotions and proved to be more challenging than anticipated due to Ortiz's aggressive style.

Ortiz, set to compete in the 2024 Olympics, displayed tenacity by absorbing Crews-Dezurn's initial jabs and turning the encounter into an intense close-quarters battle. The rounds were characterized by gritty exchanges, with both fighters giving their all. While Ortiz attempted to impose her will inside, Crews-Dezurn utilized her height advantage effectively, scoring points from a distance in critical moments. Two judges favored Crews-Dezurn, while one deemed the fight even, reflecting the closeness of the match. Post-fight, Crews-Dezurn emphasized her dominance in the super middleweight division, asserting her territory as she aims to build upon this victory in future contests.

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