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Unsurprisingly, Clarissa Shields comes to town just before Savannah Marshall’s homecoming fight with Vicky Hermans, knowing that the showdown between the two middle powers is getting closer than ever. When they finally meet in the ring, it will be unexpected, but in the meantime, Marshall knows that this weekend’s fight will be dominated by talk of a unification battle with the self-proclaimed “greatest woman of all time.”
“I have tunnel vision when it comes to who I’m fighting,” Marshall says. “I know I can’t overlook Fimki. This is definitely my toughest fight yet. She was a former world champion, and was only defeated by world champions, so I’m expecting a tough fight.”
“Everyone is constantly asking how I can focus on Fimki when everyone is talking about Clarissa. But the thing is, everyone has been talking about Clarissa for the past four years. She’s always been crawling in the background to me, it’s nothing new.”
Marshall really wished no less, and sparks flew when she faced Shields in Cardiff after the American beat Emma Cusin on points. She used the familiar expressions of a “cushion fist” and promised to “clean the floor” to Shields, who in turn called her a “tramp” and demanded, “Where are your gold medals?”
This is a rivalry where Shields’ Olympic exploits, even from a decade ago, remain a point of contention. In 2012, she triumphed in London and reveals the list of other gold medalists at those Games: Nicholas Adams won gold in the flyweight and Katie Taylor in the lightweight, as did Anthony Joshua (super heavyweight), Alexander Usyk (heavyweight) and Vasyl Lomachenko ( Heavyweight (lightweight).
It seemed destined, at the time, that Shields would clean up when he became a professional. First, she won another gold medal in Rio 2016, but Marshall wants to remind her that in 2012, in fact, he beat her in an amateur match. The Silent Killer remains the only woman, amateur or professional, to defeat Shields, and under Peter Fury’s wing, confident she can do it again.
The only woman willing to stand in his way is Hermanns (12-3), who won her last three fights after tripping to Shields and then losing to Ellen Cedrus.
“I’m in great shape, I’ve had a great bootcamp, everything has been going really well for the last month and I’m ready to start playing on Saturday,” Hermans said.
“I will do everything I can. For me, it is a great opportunity to get back to the top after some tough years. I will give everything on Saturday to be able to take the belt home and be the WBO Champion in two different weight classes.”
Marshall Details vs. Hermans
- History: Saturday 2 April
- Campus: Vertu Motors Arena, Newcastle
- fight time: Walking rings for the main event are expected around 11 p.m.
- TV/Live Broadcasting: Sky Sports Action with coverage from 7:00 pm. Subscribers can also watch the fight on the Sky Go app, or with the NOW Day Pass, which costs £11.98
- Panel highlights: Florian Marco has become familiar to fans from the UK, based in London, and is fighting over Anthony Joshua’s last card. He is defending his IBF heavyweight title against Chris Jenkins in the co-main event – the walk is expected around 10pm.
- me Expect: Marshall won eight of his 10 professional fights by knockout, and no matter what you think about his chances of improving that record against Shields, Hermann shouldn’t worry him too much.
full card
- Savannah Marshall vs. Micky Hermans (WBO middleweight title)
- Florian Marco vs Chris Jenkins (International Heavyweight Championship)
- Nathan Gorman vs. Scott Alexander
- Darren Surtees vs. James Morcroft
- Aaron Chalmers vs TBA
- April Hunter vs. Esther Konicna
- Bradley Rea vs Lucas Ndavuluma
any other work
While Lomachenko was expected to have a chance to regain his lighter titles against George Camposos Jr., he chose to remain with the Ukrainian military in the fight against the invasion of Russia. That means WBO, WBA and IBF champ Kambosos will now head to toe with WBC belt holder Devin Haney on June 4.
“After five years of chasing championship glory abroad and fighting in enemy territory, I come home to defend what I have won in the world of boxing, my world lightweight titles,” Camposos said. “Everything I suggested and demonstrated has come true with my tireless hard work, dedication and discipline in the sport I love.
On the other hand, Usyk is now expected to temporarily retire and leave Ukraine to defend his IBF, IBF and WBA heavyweight titles in a rematch with Anthony Joshua.
Exact details have yet to be confirmed, but the prospect of a confrontation in Saudi Arabia now appears to be the most likely option.
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