Claressa Shields v Savannah Marshall Summer Showdown is Expected!
The long-standing rivalry between unbeaten WBO women’s 160-pound champion Savannah “Silent Assassin” Marshall (12-0, 10KOs) and unified middleweight champion Claressa “T-Rex” Shields (12-0, 2KOs) goes way back to their amateur days. As most know by now, Shields dominated the amateur ranks, winning two Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016. However, the only loss she would suffer as an amateur would be at the hands of Marshall in 2012.
PRO RANKS!
Now, as pros, both women sport identical records of 12-0 and have fought similar opponents. However, outside of those two things, that’s about as far as you can go in comparing them. Shields has won world titles in three divisions, becoming undisputed in both the middleweight and junior middleweight divisions. As for Marshall, she is the WBO champion, having won her title by knocking out Hannah Rankin in October of 2020.
SUMMER SHOWDOWN ON THE HORIZON?
After Marshall obliterated Femke Hermans in the third round with a vicious left hook, she immediately turned her attention to Shields, who was sitting ringside. The genuine dislike between these two ladies, their amateur history, and their opposing styles make this one of the most anticipated fights of 2022!
When you look at Marshall, you see not only a power puncher, but a woman who stands at 5’11 with an excellent jab and punch placement. She doesn’t do much talking outside of the ring, instead electing to let her skills and power do the talking inside the squared circle.
Conversely, Shields is the total opposite in fighting style and personality. She’s outspoken and exudes an undying amount of confidence. In the ring, she’s an athletic boxer with fast hands and good fundamentals.
SHIELDS DETECTS NO THREAT!
After giving Marshall her credit for the win, she let it be known that her power isn’t something she’s worried about.
“Congrats, that’s what you were supposed to do. I said she would do that with Femke, but I’m not Femke Hermans, I’m not Hannah Rankin. I’m not any of those girls she fought against. And as much punching power as she has, if that’s what I have to look forward to, I’m sorry, it’s going to be a wipeout!”
As great as Shields has been so far in her career, the elephant in the room continues to be her defeat to Marshall as an amateur. Shields can say what she wants in front of the camera for the public’s consumption. However, she has to know the dangers that Marshall brings.
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By: Jerrell Fletcher
