Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall faced off today as their Undisputed Women’s Middleweight Championship match was officially announced in London.
The two main characters lead an all-female historic card in September at the O2 Arena with a Featherweight Unification battle between Mikaela Mayer and Alycia Baumgardner filling the main support lot. Other calls will be announced in due time.
It was also revealed by Boxxer CEO Ben Shalom that the event will not take place on the Sky Sports Box Office but on Sports sky instead, it means subscribers won’t have to spend any extra money to watch.
Speaking on today’s leaderboard, he said:
“A big investment by Boxxer and Sky in women’s boxing.”
“I think we’re going to meet a different audience, a larger audience, and an audience that boxing has never seen before.”
Before long, the microphone was given to the two title artists showed this year that there is real dislike Others.
Shield got up first and the self-proclaimed Adam Smith of Sky Boxing GWOAT asked if the loss she suffered to Marshall at the 2012 London Olympics was still burning inside her.
“She got lucky in 2012 but she won’t get lucky in 2022.”
The Unification champion and Ring Magazine title holder raised her voice and explained why her opponent was lucky.
“I’m 17 years old, London is also hosting the Olympics and they love her too.”
“I never scored eight points in any of my matches and then all of a sudden, I scored eight! Just scored 30 points the day before [like] I hit every other fight and then suddenly against her, I scored eight points against her 14.”
“I am 17 years old. She couldn’t shake me, she didn’t release me, she didn’t get to count eight but suddenly, she was a knockout.”
Each time Marshall’s name was brought up, there was growing aggression and disdain for Shields. She has denied any claims that she hates the WBO champion but has made no secret of the fact that she definitely doesn’t like her.
“I don’t hate anyone. I really hate her. Grandma told me not to use the word hate, so I didn’t use it. I don’t like her and she’s one of my biggest haters.”
She added:
“They said she was a big knockout, she was the only flaw in my amateur record and she had the formula to beat me. So my job is to show everyone in the world that she doesn’t and that I reign supreme. If she was truly supreme, she would have won in three different weight classes, not me.”
Marshall looks calmer and more composed when sitting next to her trainer Peter Fury. Sometimes glancing and smiling at Shields is a clear sign that she’s not swayed by trash talk and is enjoying the big stage. Newcastle’s undefeated boxer believes it’s time for her to take over the women’s middleweight division.
“This match has been a long, long time coming but here we are and September 10 I will be the new undisputed Middleweight Champion of the world.”
Marshall denies that she doesn’t like Shields or hates her. Instead, she chose to pay tribute to her American enemies.
“I’m a fan of Claressa Shields, what she has done for the sport is amazing.”
Shields didn’t buy it, which certainly showed in her reaction.
Marshall added another good thing before rolling out some facts of his own.
“She was a pioneer for the sport but the reality is she didn’t beat me. She’s done it before and she won’t again. And that’s what it is. And it kills her. It burns inside”.
Shields bit into the comment and it wasn’t long before her explosive voice covered the stands. The two started talking to each other and then the predictions began to sting each other with the first Brit.
“Not only will I beat you, I will mail you. I will hurt you and I will send you a letter. “
Final messages were soon exchanged at Adam Smith’s request before one woman faltered.
“On September 10, you’ll see a very interesting match, especially early on.”
“With Savannah Marshall as a knockout and me as a knockout, I find myself rising to the top. I can knock Savannah Marshall out in rounds 8, 9 or 10.”
Marshall reiterated her opinion that victory will come to mind rather than power.
“I won this fight with my boxing heart and brain. My boxing brain won me over in this bout. “
“On September 10, I will become the undisputed Middleweight World Champion and that will be the end of all this trash.”
