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.”
Shields vs Marshall: Round 9
Both women head to head on the ropes, looking to land heavy shots.
Marshall tied up and struggling for space, Shields so strong to position her rival where she wants.
That’s better, a big combination on a tired looking Shields with 30 seconds remaining.
Then straight rights exchanged in the middle of the ring by both women.
What a cracker, nine breathtaking rounds of women’s boxing, it’s lived up to the hype and some.
Shields vs Marshall: Round 8
Marshall takes a crisp combination on the ropes, but then spins Shields and whips in a hook.
Marshall’s name rings around the arena, she’s still searching for that overhand right.
Shields then sticks her tongue out at her while waiting for the attack on the ropes.
Marshall fatigued and struggling to land cleanly now.
Shields vs Marshall: Round 7
More exquisite work up close and on the inside. This is a wrestling match in spells.
Both women struggling for that space, Marshall finds a solution, a nice pivot to the left, hook upstairs, hook downstairs. Tidy work.
Shields vs Marshall: Round 6
Undisputed on the line and all the glory, these women are leaving it all out there.
Precision from Shields with the straight right, piercing Marshall’s guard and landing clean.
A clubbing left hook from Marshall with Shields trapped on the ropes, some shot!
But Shields is so gritty, she fires back, both women struggling to create space.
What a straight right from Shields just before the bell, Marshall has some chin on her though.
Shields vs Marshall: Round 5
Shields covering up nicely again, that shell is hard to penetrate.
Marshall now shipping damage to the body when the women come together.
A classy left hook from Shields there.
But Marshall then lands a right with Shields trapped on the ropes.
Marshall still leading the action with the jab, but then gets caught with a nasty combination from the American. Shields perhaps building a tidy lead at this stage.
Shields vs Marshall: Round 4
Marshall jabbing and then ducking under the counter right from Shields.
Shields pinned to the ropes but her steely defence blocks the uppercut from Marshall. So instead the Briton goes to the body, whipping in those hooks down low.
A tidy uppercut from Shields lands to the body.
Shields makes Marshall miss despite being cornered. Now head to head, digging in to the body, both fighters pouring on the pressure.
Shields vs Marshall: Round 3
Marshall back to the centre of the ring, dictating the tempo with her jab.
That languid style, dipping, slipping Shields’ assaults.
But the American shoulder rolls and comes out firing from the corner, danger for Marshall.
The output is surely not sustainable, a crisp jab from Marshall snaps Shields’ head back.
A blur of red and white as Shields counters, the sound of the bell ends another exhilarating round. Close to call that one.
Shields vs Marshall: Round 2
What a fight we have already.
Marshall now more imposing. Leads with the jab, but both women willing to fire away and take risks.
If we shaded the opener to Shields, this is to Marshall. Tremendous noise at each exchange, what an atmosphere.
Claressa Shields vs Savannah Marshall
We’re underway!
They tangle up immediately, Shields hitting down as Marshall bends over.
But it’s the home favourite on the front foot, popping the jab.
Shields with huge shots landing, Marshall is in major trouble.
The Briton weathers the storm, shoulder rolling to bide time.
Now Shields in the corner and shipping shots. This is electric!
What a round, Shields takes it for us, but Marshall had momentum in spells. Both women pouring on the pressure, it didn’t take long to ignite!
Claressa Shields vs Savannah Marshall
The anthems are over, both fighters have been gazing across the ring at each other for a few minutes.
Both fighters and their immense credentials shouted out but drowned out by Marshall’s fans.
Now boos for Shields, whop hops up and down, raising her hands defiantly to the hostile reception.
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