Claressa Shields vs Savannah Marshall CONFIRMED for September 10 at the O2 Arena

Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall will square off for the undisputed WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO middleweight world titles at the O2 Arena on September 10. 

The eagerly-anticipated bout, after months of verbal sparring between the pair, was finally announced on Tuesday afternoon, with Mikaela Mayer and Alycia Baumgardner the chief-support as they fight for the WBC, IBF and WBO super-featherweight world titles. 

The bout, which was postponed in Mar due to injury to Marshall, will be Britain’s first-ever televised all-women’s professional boxing card in what is another landmark moment for the sport. 

Claressa Shields (left) and Savannah Marshall (right) will fight on September 20 at the O2 Arena 

Shields comes into the bout as one of the most decorated fighters in women’s boxing, being a two-time Olympic gold medallist and previously reigning as undisputed champion in both the middleweight and super-welterweight divisions. 

The 12-0 American, who brands herself the GWOAT, currently holds the WBC, WBA and IBF titles, and has lost just once as an amateur or a professional. 

That came back some 10 years ago in the amateurs against her impending opponent, Marshall, who holds the WBO middleweight belt, a strap she claimed with victory over Hannah Rankin in 2020. 

The 31-year-old, also 12-0 as a professional, has defended her strap on three occasions since with victories over Maria Lindberg, Lolita Muzeya, and, most recently, Femke Hermans. 

Marshall’s stunning knockout victory over Hermans not only furthered her reputation as one of the most devastating punchers in the women’s game, but also pushed a bout between the Hartlepool fighter and Shields closer, with the long-term rivals furiously clashing after the fight. 

The fight was officially announcement at the launch press conference on Tuesday afternoon.  

Shields holds the WBC, WBA and IBF belts, while Marshall is the WBO middleweight champion

The long-term rivals furiously clashed after Marshall knocked out Femke Hermans in April

‘This fight has been a long time coming but we’re here now. September 10 I will be the new undisputed middleweight champion of the world,’ Marshall said of the fight. 

‘I beat you and I’ll beat you again,’ she continued. ‘I’m not going to just beat you, I’m going to outbox you. I’m going to hurt you and I’m going to outbox you.’

Shields, meanwhile, insisted the dislike between the pair is genuine. ‘It means a lot to be here,’ the American said. ‘She got lucky in 2012 but she won’t be lucky in 2022.

‘I don’t hate nobody… but I really do have a huge dislike for her.’

The match-up has been compared to Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano, which made history in April by becoming the first women’s boxing fight to headline Madison Square Garden. 

Promoter Ben Shalom (right) insists this is the biggest rivalry ever in women’s boxing

Promoter Ben Shalom insists this is the biggest ever in women’s boxing, however.  

‘It’s finally here. All sports need major rivalries to transcend their boundaries and this is the biggest rivalry ever to come from women’s boxing,’ he said. 

‘This is a major moment for the whole sport of boxing, a transatlantic fight which will bring new light to the sport. 

‘Two major stars, two elite athletes, two personalities and a story that you could not make up. 

‘Thank you to all the promoters and managers involved to make a fight that many thought could not happen. A historic night awaits at the O2.’