Back on North-East soil again and on a massive show.
That’s Savannah Marshall who is looking to show a home audience and Sky Sports viewers just how good she’s looking.
There is frustration that Saturday’s appearance in Newcastle has nothing riding on it after hopes of a WBA world super-middleweight title eliminator did not come to fruition.
But Marshall has very respectable opposition at the Utilita Arena in the shape of American Ashleigh Curry for this international 10-rounder.
The 34-year-old, from Missouri, has lost 12 of her 24 bouts but has the reputation as a tough boxer and Marshall is taking nothing for granted.
“I’ve not boxed her before or watched her before, but she has a good record, she’s won eight, drawn four and lost 12 and done a couple of 10 rounders,” said the 28-year-old Peter Fury-trained star, who is pictured above with her opponent at today’s weigh-in at the Metro Centre.
“She’s durable, been stopped only once, and that was 23 fights ago, and has a good jab.
“It’s nice to have an opponent and a fight to look forward to.
“It’s been a long time since I boxed in the North-East, way back in my early amateur days, so it will be great to fight here and on such a huge show.”
The Bad Blood battle between Lewis Ritson and Robbie Davies is the main event – a World Boxing Association light-welterweight world title eliminator.
It had been mooted that Marshall too would have a world title eliminator and the Hartlepool fighter, who stopped her old international amateur rival, Daniele Bastieri, last time out in London is understandably not too chuffed.
“I’m frustrated nothing has happened,” said the unbeaten WBA Inter-continental belt holder, who hopes to box on the same bill as her stablemate Hughie Fury, next month.
“I’d love to fight one of the world champions before the end of this year but after Saturday there are only eight weeks before Christmas so it’s unlikely.
“Are any of the champions going to put their title on the line with eight weeks notice? I’m at a point where I want to be fighting for titles.
“Hughie is boxing in Calais on November 30, so I’m going to ask if I can go on that undercard and box a girl with a high world rating.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
