Savannah Marshall has been handed a hard test for the third contest of her professional career.
The former world amateur champion will face Mexican numero uno Alejandra Ayala at the York Hall on Friday night.
Marshall, boxing in London for the first time since the 2012 Olympics, has begun life win the paid ranks with two wins out of two.
The 27-year-old middleweight outpointed the tough American Sydney LeBlanc on her debut in Las Vegas last August before dismantling Ester Konecna inside two rounds in Bolton last month in a fight shown by Channel 5.
Marshall is on free telly again on Friday as satellite station, Dave, broadcast this Hayemaker Ringstar promotion which is topped by Joe Joyce’s Commonwealth heavyweight title bout with Ghana’s Richard Lartey.
And Ayala will be a tough hurdle to clear for the ex-Headland ABC star.
The 29-year-old, from Mexico City, has won eight of her 10 contests, with five of those victories coming inside the distance.
She has suffered only two defeats, the most recent being 12 months ago when she was outpointed by North American title holder, Marie Eve Dicaire, in Montreal.
“This is exactly the fight I need and want,” said Marshall.
“Ayala has a good record and will be coming for the win.
“She has lost only twice and has never been stopped so coming over to London to fight me is not going to faze her.
“I enjoyed my last win but this is a step up in class and one I’m really looking forward to.
“Mexican boxers are always tough opponents and I’m going to have to box well to beat her.”
Words: Roy Kelly
