PRIMED to be one of the stars at “the home of boxing” and ready to “shut up” the self-style Greatest Woman Of All Time.”
That is Savannah Marshall, the “Silent Assassin” who does the majority of her talking inside the ring, where she will make a welcome return in Newcastle on Saturday, October 16.
The 30-year-old will defend her WBO world title in a battle of the unbeaten middleweights against Africa’s Lolita Muzeya live on Sky Sports, a prelude to a blockbuster with her arch-rival Claressa Shields.
Marshall is one of the big names who have signed up to perform on the satellite channel alongside the likes of stablemate, Hughie Fury (pictured above with Savannah), Chris Eubank, Josh Taylor …. and Shields.
After a 10-year dream boxing marriage with Matchroom was ended by Eddie Hearn taking his operation to DAZN this summer, Sky Sports have responded by forming a new partnership with Boxxer who will promote their UK shows.
“I’m really excited,” Marshall told punch-lines.
“I’ve always loved boxing on Sky and I can’t wait for October 16.
“Sky is the home of boxing and where fighters most like to be seen.
“It is nothing personal with Eddie – I won my world title on the Matchroom show and defended it as well and Eddie said lots of nice things about me.
“But this was the best thing for my career and I ‘m really excited about getting started.
“With Claressa being signed up as well, our fight is basically done and it’s just a case of when and where, but it’s probably going to be in the UK.
“She’s away doing MMA at the moment but I think we are going to have fights on the same Sky show and then fight each other some time after that.
“All we hear from Claressa is how brilliant she is and how rubbish and slow I am, but we’ll now get to see.
“I’m looking forward to shutting her up.”
But before we get a chance to witness Marshall’s attempt to inflict a second defeat on Shields, the Peter Fury-trained star must first negotiate her second WBO defence at the Utilita Arena next month.
Click here for details on how to buy tickets for the Newcastle show from £40.
Muzeya will arrive on Tyneside with a significant degree of confidence having won all 16 of her bouts, eight via stoppage, including her last three appearances.
“Just because I’m talking about a fight with Claressa doesn’t mean I’m not focused on Lolita,” added the Hartlepool girl.
“She’s won all her fights and has a good KO record so I’m going to have to be at my best.
“But I always want to box the best I can and that’s what I’ll be looking to do at Newcastle.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Maynard Communications
