Savannah Marshall, a British boxer, made history by becoming the undisputed super-middleweight champion in a thrilling match against Franchon Crews-Dezurn from the United States. The fight took place at Manchester’s AO Arena, where Marshall secured a majority decision points victory.
Although Marshall started the match slowly, she gradually gained momentum and delivered cleaner and more impactful shots throughout the intense and fast-paced contest. The judges’ scores were 95-95, 99-92, and 97-93 in Marshall’s favor.
After the fight, Marshall expressed her desire for a rematch with Claressa Shields, who was present at ringside. Addressing Shields, Marshall stated, “Thanks for coming over, let’s get it on at super-middleweight.” Marshall had previously suffered her first career loss to Shields in October.
The event saw an attendance of around 8,000 spectators, although the 21,000-seat arena appeared less crowded. Despite the lower turnout, Marshall received a warm reception as she made her entrance as the challenger from Hartlepool.
An interesting moment occurred during the national anthems when Crews-Dezurn, known for her singing talent and past American Idol audition, performed the United States’ anthem, much to the disappointment of the Manchester crowd and Marshall.
The fight began with a messy and cautious opening, with both fighters grappling and landing punches. Marshall scored a straight right in the second round, while Crews-Dezurn fell to the canvas in the third, ruled as a slip by the referee. The early rounds were difficult to score, with frequent clinching and neither boxer finding their rhythm.
As the match progressed, Marshall found her range, employing a better jab and landing combinations in the middle rounds. Despite Crews-Dezurn’s relentless forward pressure and wild hooks, Marshall held her own and emerged victorious in the exchanges.
In the eighth round, Marshall delivered a terrific combination to Crews-Dezurn’s head and body, visibly affecting her opponent. Sensing her lead on the scorecards, Marshall moved more freely around the ring and even attempted uppercuts on the inside.
The final round showcased both fighters unleashing their punches. Although Marshall occasionally neglected to utilize her height and reach advantage, the decision was largely undisputed, despite one judge scoring it as a draw.
With her newly acquired world title belts, Marshall welcomed a rematch with Shields, who refers to herself as the GWOAT (greatest woman fighter of all time). Promoter Ben Shalom highlighted the financial appeal of a rematch for both fighters, despite Shields’ convincing victory in their previous encounter. Marshall mentioned that making the middleweight limit would be challenging but expressed willingness to face Shields at super-middleweight.
Shields, speaking on Sky Sports, responded by stating that she would fight Marshall at any weight if she came to the United States, emphasizing her confidence in defeating Marshall once again.
Marshall’s performance may not have been her best, but her contemplation of retirement following her loss to Shields highlights the lack of formidable opponents in the division. Marshall believes a slight adjustment in tactics is all she needs, while Shields sees it as another straightforward victory, as both fighters struggle to find new challengers.
In addition to the boxing match, the article mentions a comedy play featuring Catherine Tate and a debate on the greatest Ashes XI cricket team of the past twenty years involving Greg James, Jimmy Anderson, and Felix White.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about undisputed super-middleweight title
Who won the undisputed super-middleweight title in the boxing match?
Savannah Marshall emerged as the winner, claiming the undisputed super-middleweight title.
Who did Savannah Marshall defeat in the match?
She defeated Franchon Crews-Dezurn, an American boxer, to secure the title.
Did Savannah Marshall call for a rematch after winning the title?
Yes, Marshall expressed her desire for a rematch with Claressa Shields, who defeated her previously.
How did the judges score the fight?
The judges’ scores were 95-95, 99-92, and 97-93 in favor of Savannah Marshall.
What was the attendance like at the event?
Around 8,000 tickets were sold for the fight, but the actual attendance appeared to be fewer in the 21,000-seat arena.
Is a rematch between Savannah Marshall and Claressa Shields likely to happen?
Promoter Ben Shalom and Marshall both expressed interest in a rematch with Shields, citing financial incentives. However, it remains to be seen if the rematch will take place.
More about undisputed super-middleweight title
- Savannah Marshall becomes undisputed super-middleweight champion
- Claressa Shields defeats Savannah Marshall in previous match
- Franchon Crews-Dezurn’s boxing record
- AO Arena, Manchester
- Ben Shalom, boxing promoter
6 comments
what a fight! marshall vs crews-dezurn was a real slugfest. marshall’s punches were cleaner and heavier. she definitely deserved the victory. rematch with shields is gonna be a must-watch!
marshall’s win proves she’s a force to be reckoned with. her performance was a bit messy at times, but she pulled through. looking forward to the next chapter in her rivalry with shields.
savannah marshall’s fight was intense. she showed real determination and landed some heavy shots. can’t wait for the rematch with claressa shields!
marshall’s win takes her professional record to 13 victories. she’s a rising star in the super-middleweight division. can’t wait to see who she takes on next!
wow savannah marshall did it!! she won the undisputed super-middleweight title. she’s so good. rematch with claressa shields would be epic!
big congrats to savannah marshall for becoming the undisputed super-middleweight champ! she really dominated the fight. rematch with shields is gonna be fire!