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Former middleweight champion Savannah Marshall would love the opportunity to have a rematch with her career rival, Claressa Shields.
Last month in London, Shields handed Marshall her first career defeat. Shields boxed and fought her way to a ten round unanimous decision to become the undisputed champion at middleweight for the second time.
The contest was the result of a rivalry that stemmed back to 2012, when Marshall won a decision over Shields in the amateurs. The outcome is still the only defeat for Shields, as an amateur or pro, in a boxing ring.
Marshall felt the contest was close. And based on the tremendous amount of attention the fight generated – she feels a rematch is warranted.
“That was a close fight. Many of those rounds could have gone either way. I know she knows that was close,” Marshall told Sky Sports News. “The reception we got, the viewing figures were unbelievable, and there’s many people saying they want to watch it again. I’d love to do it all over again.
“There isn’t that many girls out there. We’ve both got other options but inevitably our paths will cross again because we are the only two elite at middleweight. There are quite a few changes that I could make. There were things that maybe I shouldn’t have done for as long as I did. She’d probably say the same. We’ve both shared the ring now as pros. I got the best Claressa Shields there is, there’s ever going to be, she didn’t hurt me. I know there’s no way she can hurt me.
“Claressa is a brilliant fighter. Her accolades speak for themselves and she’s very smart. There were a couple of times I had her hurt. It’s all about that one shot and I couldn’t land it. You’ve got to give her credit. Give credit where credit is due. She’s got all the accolades, all the belts, she’s unbeaten. She can definitely call herself that [the GWOAT].”
