Savannah Marshall wants Claressa Shields rematch – for undisputed heavyweight world championship | Boxing News happymamay

Savannah Marshall intends to return to boxing in 2025 and pursue a rematch with Claressa Shields, moving up to the heavyweight division.

Marshall’s only defeat in professional boxing came to longtime rival Shields in a major contest in 2022.

In 2023, the Briton became the undisputed super-middleweight world champion with a win over Franchon Cruz DeZorn, but she did not box at all last year when she moved to mixed martial arts and competed in the Professional Fighters League.

But she is planning her return to boxing in 2025. She wants to chase a rematch with Shields, and is particularly keen to fight the American star for a world heavyweight title.

Shields will compete with Daniel Perkins for the WBC, WBO and IBF heavyweight championship on February 2.

Marshall expects Shields to win that bout and would welcome a heavyweight title fight with her great rival.

“I think I’ll follow Clarissa’s example, go up,” said Marshall. Sky Sports. “Hopefully this will reignite the fight.”

It’s the fight Marshall wants more than any other and winning the undisputed heavyweight championship is probably more attractive.

“I went into MMA hoping to catch up there, but it didn’t materialize,” Marshall said. “Having a fight in March and then hopefully in the summer.

“Size-wise, I’m probably the biggest anyway, in terms of height and frame. The pool is pretty shallow, with competition. I can lift light heavyweight, heavyweight. It’s not really a problem.”

She believes heavyweight boxing’s armor could give her advantages. “I am,” Marshall said [bigger than her]. Hopefully it will slow it down a bit! This is an added advantage.

“It’s the biggest battle for both of us.”

Marshall also believes her new experiences with mixed martial arts will make her a more dangerous boxer.

“I was at a point in my career where I needed a little bit of a change. I’ve been boxing for a very long time, I’ve boxed for about 23 years,” she said. “I think wrestling and grappling is the best form of S&C you can get. I’ve never been this strong. I’ve never been this fit.”

But she added: “I know where I went wrong [in the first Shields fight]. I know the mistakes I made. And look, I thought it was an exciting fight in the first fight, so let’s make the second fight even more entertaining.”

Dmitry Salita, Shields’ promoter, invited Marshall to be ringside for Shields’ next fight.

“The rivalry between Clarissa Shields and Savannah Marshall has a rich history,” Salita said. “It drove Clarissa to travel thousands of miles to avenge her only defeat, as she delivered an astonishing performance in one of the best fights she has ever witnessed.” Sky Sports.

“Their story goes beyond the ring, with Savannah even appearing in Clarissa’s film ‘The Fire Inside’ which has caused a stir in the US and will soon be released in the UK.

“The film’s presentation and storytelling are invaluable, providing new fans with a deeper connection to women’s boxing. This not only enhances the sport, but also makes the rematch – or rather the trilogy – more compelling, with the potential to attract global appeal.”

“We are inviting Savannah to be ringside for Clarissa’s bout on February 2 in Flint, and we are excited to discuss making a professional rematch a reality in the second quarter of 2025.”

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