Roy Kelly reports from London in association with Grand Central
Savannah Marshall clinched her third straight victory as a professional by inflicting the first stoppage defeat on Alejandra Ayala in London tonight.
The six-round international middleweight contest against the Mexican number one at the York Hall looked, on paper at least, a tough assignment for the Hartlepool star early in her professional career.
But the former world amateur champion made it look easy by taking the 29-year-old apart, referee Jeff Hinds stopping the six-rounder two seconds from the end of round two.
“I’m very happy with that,” Marshall told punch-lines. “She had never been stopped before so to put her down and then stop her was very pleasing.
“Alejandra had been the distance with the North American champion and came with a very good record so it was nice to make a statement.”
She certainly did.
Boxing in London for the first time since the 2012 Olympics and making her first appearance at the York Hall since beating German champion Andrea Strohmaier in 2011, Savannah produced a clinical and powerful performance on the Hayemaker Ringstar promotion.
Arriving in the UK with a respected record, Ayala began with confidence and was on the front foot fro the opening bell.
However, Marshall got her jab out and when she landed a left to Ayala’s body and a right to the head she jolted the durable Mexican.
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Savannah maintained the attack, drawing gasps from the packed Eastend crowd as she landed some crunching shots, including one right upper cut which almost took Alejandra’s head off.
Mr Hinds hovered as Ayala was constantly driven back but the away boxer made it to the end of the first round.
With Peter and Hughie Fury in her corner, Marshall was told not to rush things in the second and she followed orders with some well-timed shots.
And when she landed a right flush, down went Ayala, who showed her heart and determination by getting up at five and carrying on.
But when another long right found the mark and hurt Ayala, Mr Hinds stepped in, correctly, at one minute, 58 seconds of the second.
Words: Roy Kelly
