Savannah Marshall has contradicted the words of Claressa Shields ahead of their histortic showdown at the 02 this Saturday night – by claiming there is no rematch clause for the undisputed clash.
Shields has stated on numerous occasions over recent weeks that the contract for the fight contains a two-way rematch clause. Marshall, however, told Sky Sports this wasn’t the case.
“I can’t allow myself to overlook this fight, to overlook Claressa.”
“Even if there’s a rematch, I’ll never get a fight as big as this, ever. Ever.”
“There is no rematch clause. She says there is but there is no rematch clause. There’ll be a rematch if there’s demand for a rematch.”
“For me, I get one roll of the dice. And it’s all or nothing.”
The meeting between the two amateur rivals was originally pencilled in for October 3rd, but was pushed back due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II two days prior.
And Marshall conceded, although she tried to keep a strong head and remain professional, that the postponed did take an initial tole.
“I had a week off, and I needed it. More mentally. All the emotion of fight week, the fight actually getting cancelled, so I felt emotionally drained and I didn’t get out of bed for a couple of days after, so I really needed that week to just kind of forget about boxing.”
“I was disappointed. I was trying to be positive but I was disappointed, I was upset. The ‘it always happens to me’ kind of vibe.”
Fans of the Hartlepool puncher will hope she is in prime condition both physically and mentally for the fight against the self-dubbed ‘GWOAT’ Shields – with the American representing by far the toughest test of Marshall’s career to date.