Undisputed Middleweight Gold: Claressa Shields vs. Savannah Marshall

Ten years following her amateur boxing loss to the UK’s Savannah Marshall, American-born Claressa Shields has reignited her rivalry with the British champion as they’re scheduled to battle for the undisputed middleweight championships in September.

Claressa Shields vs. Savannah Marshall

When and where: September 10, live from
the 02 Arena in London, UK.

Women’s Undisputed Middleweight Championship Bout
When and where: September 10, live from the 02 Arena in London, UK.

Born and raised in Flint, Michigan, Shields quickly reached the elite tier of women’s professional boxing. She’s the only boxer in history (male or female) to hold all four major world titles – WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO. She is also one of the lone combat sports athletes to have transitioned to professional mixed martial arts, and she’s regularly supported as the betting favorite at most sportsbooks.
 
Shields will return to London for the first time since her victorious campaign at the 2012 Olympic Games, where she collected her first career gold medal.

Aged just 17 during this time, Shields continued her Olympic success in Rio 2016, and since turning professional, she’s managed to become a multi-division champion in a mere 12 pro bouts.

However, Shields’ next fight will see her meet with a long-time rival in Marshall, and she’ll have to accomplish victory in hostile territory when fighting in her opponent’s home country. Marshall defeated Shields in their amateur days, but a lot has changed since this meeting.

When speaking to journalists, Shields’ promoter Dmitry Salita said: “Definitely Claressa got a lot of support when she fought February 5 [in Cardiff] from the British fans.”
 

“This one will have fans from all over witnessing a historic event,” Salita said.

In addition, Shields is also receiving support from Hannah Ranking, a British WBA super-welterweight titlist hailing from Scotland. She has fought Shields and Marshall, losing to both women in 2018 and 2020, respectively.

“Claressa and Hannah have a long-time friendship. It’s terrific that they came together for this camp,” Salita said when discussing the two champions.

The promoter highlighted that Shields is boasting a positive attitude ahead of her showdown with Marshall.

“Claressa is looking great and having a relaxed, fun training camp,” Salita said.

He continued: “She has posted several videos of her dancing and having a good time while working hard towards this epic clash.”

‘I think she has that little thing inside of her that I have.’

Elite-level mixed martial artist Kayla Harrison, similar to Shields, captured gold medals at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games. At the Copper Box Arena in London, England, Harrison also returned to the UK for the first time since her Olympic success. She defeated Martina Jindrova, competing under the PFL banner in a pro-MMA bout.

Harrison also expects her former USA team-mate to leave London the victor when Shields returns to box in London.

“We have an indomitable spirit. I think she has that little thing inside of her that I have. That can’t be broken, can’t be beaten, willing to dig deep and do whatever it takes to win. Not everybody has that. Not everybody has that drive, that desire, that passion,” Harrison said.
“I’m a huge Claressa Shields fan. If you go deeper into her story and see everything she has overcome to get to where she is and achieve what she’s achieved at such a young age, it’s hard not to be a fan of hers. Her body of work speaks for itself. I believe that she is an unstoppable force. I’m excited to watch her fight.”

She added: “10 years ago, something like this never would have happened, and now women are headlining cards, there are all-female cards. For me, I think it’s an exciting time to be a part of history.

“If you know anything about women, we’re not here to take part; we’re here to take over. And we are.”

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