Savannah Marshall v Claressa Shields. It is one of those matches the boxing world would love to watch, even worthy of parting with hard-earned ££ or $$ to see it.
That’s unlike the scandalous ‘event’ launched between 40-year-old David Haye, battered into retirement a few years ago by Tony Bellew, and the very rich Joe Fournier, who is the Hayemaker’s good pal.
Unlike Haye-Fournier, Marshall-Shields or Shields-Marshall, if you are inclined to put the self-appointed greatest woman of all time at the front, is THE real deal.
They are two reigning world champions who are at the top of their game with Savannah, not that long ago turned 30, and Claressa four years younger at 26.
Shields is the owner of multiple world titles – at two weights – while Marshall is the WBO middleweight champion and the only boxer to defeat her arch-rival, back at the 2012 World Championships on her way to the gold medal.
Both have 100 per cent pro records, the American with 11 straight wins (two inside the distance), one victory more than Marshall, whose KO ratio is more impressive with eight early nights.
Unlike Haye-Fournier, there is bad blood between these two ladies, the rivalry is intense and the dislike very real.
While Marshall would love to shut the mouth of the GWOAT, this reporter was dubious that the double Olympic champion would actually put her neck and record on the line.
That was until a minor spat occurred on Twitter between the two boxers.
Call me a cynic but are the social media jabs just a precursor to the real thing?
Shields Tweeted: “SLOVANNA you been real quiet, you want your ass beat in December when I come back to boxing? It’s time I silenced your non olympic medal having ass.”
Marshall’s response was: “You can’t call anyone slow, you hold your feet that long they grow roots. Silly sausage.”
You would think Shields would be ‘selling’ her second MMA outing, against Mexico’s Abigail Montes on October 27, rather than having a dig at Marshall. Unless something was afoot.
Add in the fact that Savannah’s second world title defence, scheduled for the third and final Saturday of Matchroom’s Fight Camp, was removed quietly without any comment and you can’t help but add two and two together and making four. Four months if Michigan’s most decorated fighter’s December remark carries any relevance.
Just Hartlepool Life, Marshall’s hometown paper, reported the postponement while the only talk surrounding her withdrawal were suggestions there were issues in getting in a challenger over from a ‘red’ country.
All the above could merely be the thoughts of an old, suspicious mind, but what if it isn’t? Are we finally going to get the professional re-match?
Matchroom supremo, Eddie Hearn, has already made a two-fight offer to Shields, and aided with the vast riches of DAZN, boxing’s number one promoter might just get his wish.
And so might we.
Words Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
