A unanimous masterclass from the new undisputed champion, whose speed and defence were a treat for British fans and a section of the sport that did itself proud tonight. Claressa Shields takes the middleweight belts back to the States, but a rematch will never be far from the minds of the promoters.
Whilst Savannah Marshall’s power threatened to change the narrative at a couple of points, the GWOAT looked in control for most of the fight and that was reflected in the score cards. On top of that, she looked like she almost had Marshall hurt a few times – however the Brit’s chin must be commended.
The main event – which had plenty of spice but no really controversy – showed the sport in the way it had to be shown following recent events on these shores. Ben Shalom said before the card that around 35% of ticket buyers were female compared to 5% for other shows. It’s a great statistic to show that boxing can reach new audiences and capture them. Long may it continue.
Official scorecards had two judges with 97-93 and the third slightly closer at 96-94, all three in favour of Shields.
? Claressa Shields – Savannah Marshall scorecards.
97-93 x 2 and 96-94 for Shields. #Boxing #ShieldsMarshall pic.twitter.com/s7KEKsQ3XU
— Bryan Fonseca ?? (@BryanFonsecaNY) October 15, 2022
The boxing world turned up to watch – you can read some reactions below.
The reaction says it all ? pic.twitter.com/bFVwluf8Fy
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) October 15, 2022
Errol Spence
Gwoat congrats
— Errol Spence (@ErrolSpenceJr) October 15, 2022
Carl Frampton
Marshall never stopped trying but Shields was brilliant tonight. Her hand speed, accuracy and defence off the ropes was the difference
— Carl Frampton MBE (@RealCFrampton) October 15, 2022
Teddy Atlas
Good, good fight, and should be easy to judge, Shields landing the clean punches. 7-1 Shields. #ShieldsMarshall
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) October 15, 2022
Ryan Garcia
https://twitter.com/RyanGarcia/status/1581405313755848704?s=20&t=wsap-svRvJDFnm_lp3Hmtg
Mike Coppinger
Claressa Shields captures the undisputed middleweight championship with a unanimous-decision victory over Savannah Marshall: 96-94, 96-94 and 97-93. Shields landed the far cleaner shots #ShieldsMarshall
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) October 15, 2022
Sunny Edwards
https://twitter.com/SunnyEdwards/status/1581410064904048640?s=20&t=wsap-svRvJDFnm_lp3Hmtg
Ebanie Bridges
I hope @Claressashields gets the respect she deserves now #GWOAT
— Blonde Bomber ???♀️ (@EbanieBridges) October 15, 2022
Adam Catterall
https://twitter.com/AdamCatterall/status/1581409170862972929?s=20&t=wsap-svRvJDFnm_lp3Hmtg
Sam Jones
unbelievable fight 2 incredible fighters. Shields speed was so impressive. Whatever the result let’s see that again over 3 minute rounds !
— Sam Jones (@mrsamjones88) October 15, 2022
Barry Jones
To not panic under pressure is almost a super power in Boxing. Clarissa Shields has that, and with that power it allows her to see so much and then decided her next move.
— Barry Jones (@BarryJonesBox) October 15, 2022
