Claressa Shields vs Savannah Marshall LIVE: Result and reaction from undisputed middleweight world title fight
Shields outpointed Marshall to become the undisputed queen at middleweight on a thrilling night of women’s boxing at The O2
On a historic night for women’s boxing it was Claressa Shields whose stardom elevated further after outpointing a gutsy Savannah Marshall to emerge as the undisputed middleweight world champion.
The fight ignited immediately, cashing in the hype to satisfy an expectant crowd at a sold out O2 Arena in London, with both women, entering the night unbeaten, exchanging a series of vicious combinations. Exhilarating throughout, Shields’ hardened shell was decisive, demonstrating real class to weather a storm as the Briton, roared on by her fans, routinely trapped the GWOAT on the ropes.
But Shields’ savviness and serenity in the eye of the storm proved decisive, firing off pinpoint counters to snatch a unanimous decision and write a new chapter to women’s boxing.
“I did what I do in training and I got the job done. I want to thank Savannah Marshall - it was a special night for women’s boxing and I think it was fight of the year.
“[Savannah] is a tough competitor, hard fighter and has endurance but I am the better fighter. I feel like I am 2-0 against her as I don’t think I lost in the amateurs but you can say we are 1-1. I know I did the most work today.
“There was a rematch clause if there was a controversial decision but it was unanimous. If that’s what the fans want then that’s what we are going to to do.”
Claressa Shields vs Savannah Marshall
April Hunter beats Erica Alvarez on points.
Claressa Shields vs Savannah Marshall
Sixth and final round here, Hunter switching stance regularly coming in.
Alvarez ducking in and throwing looping hooks.
Energy-sapping contest, Hunter coming on strong and backing Alvarez into the ropes.
Claressa Shields vs Savannah Marshall
A fiery contest this, Hunter and Alvarez trading bombs.
An embrace at the bell moments after Hunter’s crisp left hook leaves Alvarez scrambling mid-combination.
Claressa Shields vs Savannah Marshall
We’ve got April Hunter and Erica Alvarez in a decent scrap right now.
Savannah Marshall seen backstage taking the fight in, with loud cheers ringing around The O2 when her face appears on the big screen.
Shields vs Marshall undercard results
- Sarah Liegmann beat Bec Connolly on points
- Ginny Fuchs beat Gemma Ruegg on points
- Georgia O’Connor beat Joyce van Ee on points
- Shannon Ryan beat Buchra El Quaissi on points
- April Hunter beat Erica Alvarez on points
- Karriss Artingstall beats Marina Sakharov on points
- Caroline Dubois stops Milena Koleva in fifth round
Shields vs Marshall winner set to win WBC ‘Elizabethan Belt’
The winner of tonight’s main event will pick up the new WBC ‘Elizabethan Belt’ as part of BOXXER’s tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away last month.
BOXXER’s Ben Shalom said: “This is a wonderful tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II in what will be an iconic event for boxing.
“The Elizabethan Belt will provide an extra special incentive for both fighters - and this incredible, commemorative championship will provide the perfect legacy for the winner.”
When is Shields vs Marshall?
The first fight of the night is set to begin at 5pm BST (9am PST, 11am CST, 12pm EST), with the main card following at 8pm BST (12pm PST, 2pm CST, 3pm EST).
Ring walks for the main event between Shields and Marshall are expected to take place at 10pm (2pm PST, 4pm CST, 5pm EST).
How to watch
The event will air live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Arena in the UK, with coverage beginning at 7.30pm BST (11.30am PST, 1.30pm CST, 2.30pm EST). Sky subscribers can also stream the action live on the Sky Go app.
In the US, ESPN+ will air the bout live.
Claressa Shields vs Savannah Marshall: Full card
Claressa Shields vs Savannah Marshall (undisputed women’s middleweight title)
Mikaela Mayer vs Alycia Baumgardner (unified women’s super-featherweight title)
Lauren Price vs Timea Belik (women’s welterweight)
Karris Artingstall vs Marina Sakharov (women’s featherweight)
Caroline Dubois vs Milena Koleva (women’s lightweight)
Ebonie Jones vs Vanessa Caballero (women’s super-bantamweight)
April Hunter vs Erica Alvarez (women’s super-welterweight)
Georgia O’Connor vs Joyce van Ee (women’s super-welterweight)
Shannon Ryan vs Bucha El Quassi (women’s super-flyweight)
Ginny Fuchs vs Gemma Ruegg (women’s super-flyweight)
Sarah Liegmann vs Bec Connolly (women’s super-bantamweight)
Mayer explains Baumgardner clash at weigh-in
“I didn’t have any arms because I had three belts, so I used my leg,” Mayer told Sky Sports. “All this talk about struggling to make weight is a reflection of what’s going on with this girl. She spends too much time in the weight room, she’s struggling. She has to knock me out, she knows that, it’s the only way she’s going to win. I’m going to out-box her, she thinks she’s a good boxer but she’s never been in there with somebody like me.”
Forgotten man Deontay Wilder can shred heavyweight scene with signature KO against Robert Helenius
Observe the heavyweight landscape before you. In the background lies Anthony Joshua, Britain’s fallen heavyweight hero, beaten once again. In the foreground, perhaps unnervingly close and paying no respect to your personal space, is Tyson Fury, bleating about his compatriot’s alleged cowardice and beckoning forward old foe Derek Chisora, who is lumbering into frame. Not enjoying the scenery?
Squint, and spy, if you can, Deontay Wilder. That’s right, there he is, somewhere before the horizon but not yet over the hill – a glove on one hand and remote in the other, ready to detonate the very scene that you and the rest of boxing’s fandom finds so distasteful.
Beside the American, who turns 37 next week, is Robert Helenius, whose exact role in this picture is as yet undetermined. On Saturday night, he will journey to New York with Wilder for a main-event contest at the Brooklyn Center. From the moment of depature to the moment of arrival, the Swedish-born Finn will stand firmly in Wilder’s blast radius, with many expecting the 38-year-old to be eviscerated. Consider, however, that Helenius might not be the victim that he is currently being portrayed as.
Forgotten man Deontay Wilder can shred heavyweight scene with signature KO
Even at 36, the former champion has the ability to reinvigorate the division
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