Newcastle came out in force to support Savannah Marshall, as she retained her WBO middleweight title by handing Femke Hermans her first stoppage of her career with a huge one punch knockout. Marshall's biggest rival, Claressa Shields watched on at ringside, as the huge unification fight edges closer.
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Marshall used the first round to find the range, patiently pushing out sharp jabs, as Hermans didn't have much to answer with.
Hermans had minimal success in round two, as once again Marshall used the jab well, constantly looking for an opening for a flurry of punches. Hermans did land a sharp right but Marshall brushed it off and continued to walk Hermans down.
Round 3 saw Hermans instantly try to tie up Marshall, but resulted in Marshall tagging her with a solid right. Hermans began to trade, which was her downfall, as Marshall detonated a monstrous left hook, which sent Hermans to the canvas, handing Hermans her first knockout loss.
Following the fight, Marshall said: "There's no-one else in the way between me and Claressa, so it's me and her in the summer now. I know Claressa can't handle my power. I believe I can beat her, It's got to happen here in the North-East."
Shields was handed a mic at ringside and responded: "I said she'd do that to Femke Hermans – but I'm not Femke Hermans, I'm not Hannah Rankin, I'm not any of those girls she's fought. If that's what I've got to look forward to, it's going to be a wipe out."
Following the fight, Marshall's trainer, Peter Fury told IntuBoxing that: "First round, really not interested and it's just a feel round, second round she started to find a home for the jab, in the third round she just went in close the distance off made her work kept honor you know and then that was the beginning of the end I mean not many fighters will do that to Hermans she's a tough fighter like you mentioned former world champion, European champion and she comes in there with a recorded name and she's done that to her."
The undercard saw Albania's Florian Marku, stop the tough Welshman, Chris Jenkins in four rounds. Jenkins was performing well, but then Marku landed a big shot, which stiffened Jenkins' legs, leading to Marku piling on pressure and stopping his man.
Following the fight, Marku called out Amir Khan. However, Chris Kongo was at ringside and he called out Marku.
BOXXER promoter, Ben Shalom announced two huge signings to his ever growing stable, as Olympic Gold medallist Lauren Price and Olympic Bronze medallist Kariss Arlingstall signed on the dotted line and will be showcased on Sky Sports going forward.
Bradley Rea continued his fine run of form as he outpointed Lukas Ndafoluma after dropping him in the fourth round. Zak Chelli stopped late replacement Jack Kilgannon in six rounds, although Chelli did pick up a cut.
April Hunter bounced back from a defeat as she outpointed Ester Konecna over six. Michael Webster extended his unbeaten record with a TKO victory over Erdogan Kadrija. Michael Likalu picked up his first win of his career as he stopped Carl Turney.
Matty Harris produced a brutal first round knockout over Mait Metsis.
Hot prospects, Georgia O'Connor, Luke Cope, Hosea Stewart and Chloe Watson all extended there undefeated records, all recording points victories.