Savannah Marshall v Claressa Shields, who wins at the 02 on Saturday? Too close to call?
Probably. Before the bitter middleweight rivals were due to do battle in September, Boxing News, the sport’s greatest magazine, canvassed the opinions of Natasha Jonas and Hannah Rankin.
World champ Jonas, Savannah’s ex-GB team-mate, went for Marshall and Rankin, who has fought both for the world title, said Shields.
While each gave reasoned arguments and honest answers, sceptics might say ‘well, they would side with their pals’.
Punch-lines caught up a fighter who has challenged both boxers for their world titles, Femke Hermans.
The Belgian went the distance with Shields in December 2018 in America, losing by a unanimous decision, all three judges scoring it 100-90.
When Femke took on the WBO champ in Newcastle in April, she was knocked out at the end of round three.
Everyone has an opinion on the fight, though Femke’s view carries real weight.
“It is a very good fight for women’s boxing and at the end, for me, it doesn’t matter who wins,” said Hermans.
“But I think it will be Marshall.”
Hermans says Shields does not hit hard enough to put a dent in Marshall, arguing the 31-year-old, from Hartlepool, has all the tools.
“Savannah has a lot of skills,”: said the 32-year-old. “She uses her height and reach very well and has a strong punch.
“Shields is also a very complete athlete but lacks the punch that stops someone.
“Claressa says before every fight that she will stop her opponent but she didn’t stop a lot of girls.
“She has a lot of skills and speed but no real punching power.
“Claressa has never fought a big girl like Savannah, who will come into the day of the fight more heavy then her.
“Not only is she big but she moves fast too.”
Shields and Marshall have each won 12 times in their professional careers but that is where the similarity ends.
The comparison in stoppage numbers is marked, while Shields only having two KO victories to her name, while Marshall is in double figures already with 10.
They have three common foes, US hardcase Sydney LeBlanc, who each went the distance with early in their careers, with both beating Hannah Rankin in world title bouts, Shields on points and Marshall by stoppage.
“Savannah also has good boxing skills and she is able to fight and move fast,” added Hermans.
“Both opponents that Claressa has won on points, Savannah has stopped them.
“Marshall has a point when she says that Shields isn’t improving anymore.
“In my opinion Claressa should be able to stop Ivana Habazin and Ema Kozin in her last two fights but she didn’t do it.
“She can’t finish the job can she?
“She’s still an AIBA [amateur] fighter and Savannah has the [better] pro style. – less quantity but she makes every punch count.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Lawrence Lustig/ BOXXER
