Claressa Shields defeated Savannah Marshall to become the undisputed middleweight champion in a fight of the year contender.
Shields got the unanimous decision as both women left it all in the ring and the fight exceeded all expectations as they delivered an action-packed classic at the O2 Arena.
The backstory coming into this bout was that Marshall was the only woman to ever beat Shields and the ‘GWOAT’ was desperate to avenge that loss and she did so.
There was no feeling-out process as the bout started at a lightning pace. Shields implemented her speed, whilst Marshall tried to nullify that advantage by using her size and power. Shields seemed to have the upper hand in the earlier rounds with her speed, but something had to give.
A LIGHTNING fast start for @ClaressaShields! 😳💨#ShieldsMarshall | @boxxerpic.twitter.com/77c6ITD0QR
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) October 15, 2022
The American seemingly pulled a lead in the early rounds, but Marshall would begin to claw her way back as Shields began to slow in the middle rounds, as Marshall clawed her way back into the bout landing some big shots leading to Shields resorting to holding briefly.
ALL. ACTION. 🔥@Claressashields and @Savmarshall1 in the heat of battle 🤜 🤛#ShieldsMarshall | 15 Oct | 02 Arena, London I @skysportsboxing@hennessysports@SalitaPrompic.twitter.com/NWFxcMWNyq
— BOXXER (@boxxer) October 15, 2022
The general consensus was that Marshall needed a big last round and looked to do so, however, Shields was not willing to let her lead slip away as the pair would meet head-on and continue the epic shootout that we had seen in previous rounds.
👏 @Claressashields and @Savmarshall1 covered themselves in glory.#ShieldsMarshall | 15 Oct | 02 Arena, London I @skysportsboxing@hennessysports@SalitaPrompic.twitter.com/6dMCduybB8
— BOXXER (@boxxer) October 15, 2022
The final bell rang, and everyone waited in anticipation for the result of this classic. The scorecards read 96-94×2 and 97-93 all in favour of Shields crowning her undisputed middleweight champion and finally avenging the only blemish on her amateur and professional boxing record.