Olympian Citlalli Ortiz loses WBA and WBC titles in New York

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Saturday, June 7, 2025, p. a26

Mexican boxer Citlalli Ortiz, who participated in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, lost a majority decision to American Franchon Crews-Dezurn on Friday. Her opponent maintained her position as the unified World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Council (WBC) super middleweight champion in a fight held at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in New York.

In a 10-round bout organized by Salita Promotions and broadcast on DAZN, the local fighter managed to retain her titles despite the Mexican's strong fists on several occasions.

The American also won the Juneteenth Freedom Belt, a special award created by the WBC in 2021 to commemorate the day slavery was abolished in the United States.

“ Juneteenth celebrates an ongoing struggle for equality, liberty, decency, human rights, and fundamental humanity that continues to this day. June 19 is a U.S. holiday, and its name is derived from the combination of June and 19, marking the anniversary of Major General Gordon Granger’s June 19, 1865, order proclaiming freedom for slaves in Texas,” the WBC explained in a statement.

With this defeat, Ortiz, known as Bellatrix, has a record of four wins, one by knockout, and two losses.

Crews-Dezurn now holds a record of 10 wins, two by knockout, and two losses.

The 25-year-old Mexican boxer's last professional bout was on July 15, 2023, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she won by unanimous decision over American Jordanne García.

The winner came into this fight after winning the WBC title on December 15, 2023, after defeating her compatriot Shadasia Green.