Claressa Shields v Savannah Marshall. It’s a fight first talked about when Noah was still a young carpenter.
But it is getting ever nearer. So near you can almost feel it.
“Me against Shields is the biggest fight in women’s boxing,” declared Marshall, the new WBO world middleweight champion.
Shields and Marshall have been getting quizzed about it for ages but 2021 could well be the year.
It will be a huge occasion – Shields is the owner of the WBC, WBA and IBF belts and a unification showdown makes great sense all round.
The ‘Silent Assassin’ set up this perfect match with an eight-round masterclass on Saturday against Hannah Rankin in London.
Her opponent had gone the full 10 rounds with Shields for the WBC, WBA and IBF titles two years ago in Kansas.
In fact, Rankin had never been stopped in her career, until Saturday at Wembley where Marshall’s sustained assault brought a halt to the bout, just a second from the end of round seven.
“I’ve just battered Claressa’s best mate,” said the Hartlepool fighter.
“I’m sure she said Hannah was going to stop me.
“So what does that say about her boxing IQ?
“She couldn’t get Rankin out of there. Hannah is a brave fighter. Claressa couldn’t do that.
“Me against Shields is the biggest fight in women’s boxing.
“Let’s get it on. I want a piece of it.”
Matchroom supremo, Eddie Hearn, a promoter who adores staging a grudge match will be rubbing his hands at the prospect of putting it on.
The grudge aspect is genuine.
Shields hates the fact that her rival is the only boxer to ever get the better of her.
The American felt destined to win the 2012 World Championship in China as a teenager, only to be outboxed by the 20-year-old Savannah.
Claressa and her nearest and dearest have bleated about the result but don’t buy it, Marshall earned her 14-8 win in Qinhuangdao, a win she backed up by striking gold on her 21st birthday.
Saturday’s victory over Rankin made history for the Hartlepool star, who became the first Brit, male or female, to win world amateur gold and then win a world professional title.
“I’m the first boxer to be an amateur world champion and a professional world champion,” she said.
“I beat the men to it. It’s just a dream.”
Becoming the undisputed world middleweight champion might just be the next dream.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Dave Thompson/ Route One
