Savannah Marshall is not known as the ‘Silent Assassin’ for nothing – she prefers actions to words.
But the Hartlepool boxer has put her shyness and modesty aside to say she knows she can “hurt” and beat Hannah Rankin in their confrontation for the vacant WBO world middleweight title in London.
The arch-rivals collide at the SSE Wembley Arena on Saturday night on the undercard of the heavyweight battle between the unbeaten Oleksandr Usyk and Britain’s Derek Chisora, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
While there have been no scraps at the media conference or anything like that, the build-up has been relatively lively between the two rivals.
“I’ve seen a video saying she’s going to knock me out,” Marshall told punch-lines.
“I think she’s saying it more for her own self-confidence rather than trying to needle me.
“It’s probably something she has to do.
“But I’m really confident, I know what I can do and know I can hurt her.
“If I do, she’ll go into her shell and I can start getting my shots away.
“Hannah can’t out-box me so she might try to take me out of my stride, try to rough me up, but I’m bigger and stronger.
“But whatever she brings, I’ll have an answer for it.”
Despite some of the comments, there is genuine respect for the 30-year-old, from Glasgow.
Rankin has taken part in four professional world title contests and while her success rate is only 25 per cent, she had only lost to top fighters and has gone the distance.
The Scot went the full 10 rounds with world number one, Claressa Shields, in America, an outstanding effort.
“I expect a really tough fight from her,” said the undefeated Hartlepool fighter. “She’s got loads of heart.”
Saturday night’s fight brings together two boxers with polar opposite histories, with Marshall a former World and Commonwealth Games gold medalist in the amateurs while Rankin is more experienced in the professional side of the sport.
Savannah has only done 29 pro rounds compared to 82 from Hannah, largely it has to be said because the ‘Assassin’ has done a number on her opponents.
But the Hartlepool girl has no concerns if the contest does go later than she is accustomed to.
“Hannah says the amateurs are nothing like the professionals and I agree with her there,” said the 29-year-old, who weighed in at 11st 5¼lbs, with her opponent one pound lighter on the scales.
“In the amateurs if you get off to a slow start it can cost you, if you are only doing three or four rounds.
“In the pros, if you have a slow start in the first couple of rounds, you have eight rounds to put it right.”
It is a big card which also features what looks a cracking final eliminator for the IBF lightweight title between Wales’s Lee Selby and the highly-confident Miami-based Aussie, George Kambosos Jr.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
