Last minute substitutes can wreak havoc in boxing and WBO middleweight champion Savannah Marshall feels that late replacement Maria Lindberg is a more dangerous proposition than her original foe Femke Hermans, ahead of their clash at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday night.
Four-time world title challenger Lindberg (19-6-2, 10 KOs and 1 NC) stepped in at late notice after two members of Hermans’ team tested positive for Covid-19 and brings years of experience at the highest level.
The Swede has mixed it with the likes of Christina Hammer, Ewa Piatkowska, Ema Kozin and Marie Eve Dicaire, and Hartlepool’s Marshall has steeled herself for an even tougher first defence of the crown she won against Hannah Rankin (WTKO7) last October.
“If anything, this is a tougher fight than the original fight we had,” said Marshall (9-0, 7 KOs). “Maria is very experienced, tough and been in with some of the best in the world – Christina Hammer twice. I’m expecting a tough fight come Saturday.
“I’ve had a 12-week camp, so I’ve prepared for everything. Whatever Maria brings I’m more than confident I’ve got the answer for. I found out about Femke Hermans being off on Saturday and I thought there was no way they’d get me a replacement opponent at such short notice.
“Luckily, Matchroom pulled it out of the bag and got me an opponent. She’s had three times as many fights as me so I’m sure she knows all of the little tricks of the trade. She’ll probably never get a chance like this again so really it’s the last roll of the dice for her. She’s definitely going to come all guns blazing.”
Main image: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing.