Sep 18, 2015

Franchon Crews always wanted to be a professional singer. At 16, she took up boxing to lose weight for her singing career, but soon fell in love with the sport. Known as the Heavy Hitting Diva, Crews is now working toward her new dream: making the women’s U.S. Olympic boxing team. She was an alternate in the London 2012 team, and has been training ever since.

: Franchon Crews, in blue, throws punches as Schmelle Baldwin of Wilmington, DE, as Baldwin covers up to deflect the blows during their quarter finals match at the Olympic Trials Qualifier II. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Franchon Crews gives her husband, Glenn Dezurn Jr. a kiss after she won the gold medal in the 165 lbs weight class. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Franchon Crews wins the gold medal for the 165 lbs weight class and earns a trip to Memphis to compete for the women’s U.S. Olympic boxing team after she defeated Lesha Kenney in the gold medal round. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Franchon Crews, in red, celebrates her win over Lesha Kenney in the gold medal round of the Pathway to Glory Olympic Trials Qualifier II held at the Baltimore Harbor Hotel in Baltimore,Maryland. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Franchon Crews, in red, lands a punch to the head of Lesha Kenney in the gold medal round of the Pathway to Glory Olympic Trials Qualifier II held at the Baltimore Harbor Hotel in Baltimore,Maryland. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Glenn Dezurn Jr. cheers for his wife, Franchon Crews during her gold medal bout against Lesha Kenney in the Pathway to Glory Olympic Trials. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Franchon Crews, in red, boxes Lesha Kenney in the gold medal round of the Pathway to Glory Olympic Trials Qualifier II. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Franchon Crews stretches with the help of her husband and trainer, Glenn Dezurn Jr. prior to her gold medal bout with Lesha Kenney. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Franchon Crews spars with her husband, Glenn Dezurn Jr. under a street light outside of the Baltimore Harbor Hotel before her championship bout with Lesha Kenney. The bout was the gold medal round of the Pathway to Glory Olympic Trials Qualifier II held at the Baltimore Harbor Hotel in Baltimore,Maryland. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Franchon Crews spars with her husband, Glenn Dezurn Jr. under a street light outside of the Baltimore Harbor Hotel before her championship bout with Lesha Kenney in the gold medal round of the Pathway to Glory Olympic Trials Qualifier II held at the Baltimore Harbor Hotel in Baltimore,Maryland. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Franchon Crews, in blue, wins by TKO vs. Schmelle Baldwin of Wilmington,DE. during their quarter finals match at the Olympic Trials Qualifier II. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Franchon Crews, in blue, steps away as the referee gives Schmelle Baldwin of Wilmington, DE. a standing eight count during their quarter finals match at the Olympic Trials Qualifier II. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Franchon Crews, in blue, lands some punches as she battles Schmelle Baldwin of Wilmington,DE. during their quarter finals match at the Olympic Trials Qualifier II. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore boxer Franchon Crews does sit-ups at the Under Armour Performance Center as she prepares for the women’s Olympic Trials Qualifier II. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Franchon Crews awaits her bout with Schmelle Baldwin of Wilmington,DE. in the quarter finals of the Olympic Trials Qualifier II. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Franchon Crews has her hands wrapped while she waits for her match during the quarter final bouts at the Women’s Olympic Trials Qualifier II held at the Baltimore Harbor Hotel. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Franchon Crews listens to music as she tries to relax before her quarter final bout at the Women’s Olympic Trials Qualifier II held at the Baltimore Harbor Hotel. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Franchon Crews waits for her match during the quarter final bouts at the Women’s Olympic Trials Qualifier II held at the Baltimore Harbor Hotel. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Franchon Crews does interval training with the help of her husband, Glenn Dezurn Jr. who is her coach and trainer. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Franchon Crews spars with her husband, Glenn Dezurn Jr. who is her coach and trainer. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore boxer Franchon Crews, who was an alternate for the 2012 Olympics, hopes to make the U.S. boxing team for 2016. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Franchon Crews hits the heavy bag at the Under Armour Performance Center while training for the Pathway to Glory Olympic Trials Qualifier II boxing event. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore boxer Franchon Crews who was an alternate for the 2012 Olympics heads outside for her sprinting work in Locust Point as she prepares for a boxing match in Baltimore. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Franchon Crews uses a heavy ball while she practices throwing left handed punches in the gym as she prepares for the women’s Olympic Qualifier II in Baltimore. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Franchon Crews runs 18-24 miles per week when training for a fight. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Franchon Crews was an alternate for the 2012 women’s Olympic boxing team in London. She has hopes of making the U.S. boxing team for 2016. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

Crews trains at several locations around Baltimore and can often be seen running through the streets. She is currently contending as a middleweight, but holds several national championships in different weight classes.

She recently won a gold medal at the Pathway to Glory Olympic Trials Qualifier II in Baltimore — which makes her eligible to compete in in the Olympic qualifiers in Memphis in October.

Baltimore boxer Franchon Crews pursues her Olympic dream

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