Dreams of watching Savannah Marshall do battle again with Claressa Shields this summer would appear to be over – with another unified champion now on the horizon.
It was hoped the middleweight greats would collide in the UK with an outdoor spectacular at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park mooted, following their mega-fight at a sold-out 02 Arena last October.
But Shields, who want home to the USA with all the titles following her unanimous points victory, has announced she’ll defending her IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO and Ring belts against Hanna Gabriels on June 3.
However, that disappointment could open up a major unification opportunity for Marshall at super-middleweight against another top-flight American.
Franchon Crews-Dezurn is the reigning IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO champion at 168lbs and is a former international amateur rival of the ’Silent Assassin’.
Marshall is back in the gym and recently, coach Peter Fury was quoted as saying that: “We’re just finalising things, but she’ll be in a serious fight. It’ll either be Claressa again, or Crews-Dezurn for all the belts.”
Ideally, the Hartlepool sporting superstar would already have had either a bout by now or certainly one lined up, given it is almost six months since she clashed with Shields in their long-awaited confrontation in London.
Crews-Dezurn has been inactive even longer – it is nearly a year since she defended her titles with a unanimous points success over Sweden’s Elin Cederroos on the Katie Taylor-Amanda Serrano fight at Madison Square Garden in April 2022.
If Marshall v Crews-Dezurn can be made, hopefully soon, by promoters BOXXER it will represent a cracking contest for the 31-year-old.
They boxed each other as amateurs, Savannah winning their contest 14-12 in London in 2011 en route to taking the gold medal at the Olympic Test Event at the ExCel Arena.
Crews would lose her middleweight spot in the USA team to Shields and now as Crews-Dezurn she has carved out an excellent career as a professional.
She lost on her pro debut to Shields (what a bout to take as your first contest!) but is unbeaten in nine appearances since.
The ‘Heavy-hitting Diva’ was beaten by a split decision by Alejandra Jiménez in 2020 but that was ruled a no-contest after the Mexican failed a drugs test.
Marshall respects the 35-year-old American who she described as a “handful” in an interview with Sky Sports.
“I think Franchon’s last fight was probably the best I’ve ever seen her box,” said Savanah. “She’s tough.
“She’s really gritty and it all adds to a perfect fight with me and her.”
Crews-Dezurn has gone on record to say she will fight Marshall AND is happy to travel come to the UK – as long as the price is right.
“Don’t try to short-change me when I’m bringing all the marbles to the table,” she told Sky Sports.
“Give me the respect as an undisputed champion, who’s giving you an opportunity to become a champion again after you lost your belt.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins
