Savannah Marshall believes she “learned more” from a 10-round Sofia shoot-out than in if he had achieved a spectacular KO.
Punch-lines caught up with the Hartlepool boxer when she came back to her hometown this week with the World Boxing Association’s inter-continental super-middleweight belt in her possession.
Marshall put Yanina Orozco on her pants in round two of an explosive England v Argentina confrontation.
But the 29-year-old got up and survived some fierce Savannah pressure to get through to the end when Marshall after throwing the kitchen sink at her was awarded a unanimous verdict in the battle of the unbeaten boxers.
Marshall, speaking in her old Headland ABC gym, explained that the initial disappointment of not getting Orozco out early has now evaporated and is confident the manner of her victory in the incredible Arena Armeec will benefit her in her pursuit of world honours at super-middleweight.
“It feels brilliant to be home with this belt,” said the Peter Fury-trained star who will box over eight rounds on Manchester On Friday, November 9.
“I knew it would not be easy because she was unbeaten, 4 and 0.
“She was so strong, she even caught me with a couple of shots in the first round.
“We had a bit of an exchange in the second round and I put her down, but she got back up.
“For the next eight rounds I hit her with everything, body shots, back hands, upper cuts, hooks, everything.
“I think I could have hit her with a shovel and she’d have kept going, at one point she was even laughing.
“At first I was a little bit gutted I didn’t stop her, but now a few of days on I think I’ve probably learned more from doing the 10 rounds than I would if I’d blasted her out in the second.
“It was the first time I’ve been in a fight like that.
“I wasn’t under pressure but it’s the first time I’ve had to deal with holding, the head going in and stuff like that.
“I felt good physically, I could have done 15 rounds, I felt really fit, so that was another plus point.”
Marshall was happy to be back in her home gym, where she posed for pictures with her old coach and mentor, Tim Coulter, plus the young Headland boxers which included female internationals Sadie Thomas and Courtney Scott, recently back from the European Championships with a gold medal.
“It’s been brilliant seeing everyone,” said the former World, European and Commonwealth gold medalist who is pictured above with old coach Tim Coulter. “It’s a great club with great coaches.
“I wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for this club.”
