Savannah Marshall enjoyed a triumphant homecoming when she won her first fight on UK soil since 2015.
The Hartlepool fighter defeated Ester Konecna in round two in an international match scheduled for eight rounds at Bolton Wanderers’ Macron Stadium.
Boxing in Britain for the first time as a professional, the 26-year-old was dominant from the opening bell against the Czech Republic girl, forcing back her opponent with a good jab.
The 30-year-old opponent had gone the distance on her two previous appearances in this country, losing on points to Stacey Copeland in Manchester, and Hannah Rankin in London, both last year.
But there looked little likelihood of that here when in the second round, Marshall began to let her shots go, working well to the body while two lefts forced star’s head back.
When Savannah drove in some stinging body shots, it forced Konecna back into her own corner and when she landed two more body hooks and a left to the head, referee Phil Edwards stepped in at one minute, 43 seconds.
The ex-Headland ABC star made an excellent pro debut last August, when she outpointed American hardcase Sydney LeBlanc over four rounds and looked just as good here.
The middleweight was one of the chief support bouts ahead of the Hennessy Sports-promoted British heavyweight title battle between Sam Sexton and Hughie Fury, which will be shown live on Channel 5.
Words: Roy Kelly
