Unified super-middleweight champion Savannah Marshall is poised to become one of few boxers to cross over into the world of mixed martial arts, and it has been announced that she will make her debut with the Professional Fighters’ League close to home.
Marshall is likely pursue a fight with her rival Claressa Shields, down the line, who has also began an MMA career. Marshall remains to only person to have beaten Shields as an amateur of professional, representing the lone blemish on the America’s 64-1 amateur record.
However, when they met in the professional ranks it was a different story, as Shields claimed the undisputed super-middleweight title with a unanimous-decision win on away soil.
Marshall then bounced back with an undisputed title win of her own, as a move up to super-middleweight proved to be a wise choice, defeating Franchon Crews-Dezurn by majority decision before being losing her WBC title due to inactivity caused by an injury.
Just one month after the win, it was announced that both Marshall and Shields had signed deals with the Professional Fighters’ League, as she told Hartlepool Mail of her desire to ‘conquer a new mountain’.
“I’d done a very, very little bit of training and then the opportunity came with the PFL and it was too good to walk away from.
“It is definitely [getting me remotivated]. With boxing I’ve reached the pinnacle. I’m the undisputed champion, I’ve won everything there is to win. So I’m at the top of the mountain now and I’m ready to conquer a new mountain.”
PFL Europe have now confirmed further details around Marshall’s debut, although an opponent is yet to be announced.
“????????: Savannah Marshall makes her MMA debut in the PFL SmartCage on Saturday 8th June at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, England! #PFLNewcastle”
Meanwhile, Shields got back to winning ways in the cage in February, defeating Kelsey DeSantis by split-decision to extend her record to 2-1 with the PFL, as a possibly MMA trilogy clash between she and Marshall looms.
