British middleweight Savannah Marshall has announced that she is in talks for a rematch with undisputed champion, Claressa Shields, following their thriller of a fight back in October.
Shields outpointed the hard-hitting Brit and had Marshall hurt at times during the fight, despite being labelled as having ‘pillow fists’ in the build-up.
With just two knockouts in her thirteen fights as a professional, Olympic gold medallist Shields has since expressed her disappointment at not knocking opponents out, but it seems like she will get another crack at Marshall.
Marshall lost her WBO world title to Shields, as well as her unbeaten record, in front of her home crowd at the O2 Arena.
The ‘Silent Assassin’ will be desperate to avenge the defeat and re-establish herself as the fearsome puncher that she was perceived as before the fight with her rival from across the pond.
In an interview with BBC Radio Tees, Marshall confirmed that the rematch is looking likely, and that the sequel of their rivalry would happen even closer to home for the Hartlepool fighter.
“I have got a rematch, and there’s talk of having it at Newcastle’s St James’ Park,”
“The television company is really pushing it, so that’s something to look forward to.”
“Even though I lost, it’s like I’ve won with all the response I’ve had. The whole of the north east got behind me, which is rare for women’s sport.
The difference with this defeat is I did everything I could on the night. I didn’t leave anything in the ring or the gym.”
“Although it didn’t go my way, I still think I can beat her.”
After selling out the O2 Arena and entertaining more than two million viewers – the biggest ever audience for a live women’s sporting event – a rematch between Marshall and Shields would not be short of interest.
With Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano seemingly on the verge of a fight at Dublin’s Croke Park and Shields and Marshall looking to take place at St. James Park, the next step for women’s boxing is clear.
Stadium fights have always been reserved for the upper-echelon of the sport, and 2023 looks set to be the year that the top women in the sport smash through that barrier to reach the level of superstardom that is needed to sell out in the tens of thousands.