My victory is consumed in the Shields, says Marshall
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| Place: O2 Arena, London Date: Saturday, September 10 |
| Coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live; live text commentary and reaction on the BBC Sport website and app. |
Middleweight world champion Savannah Marshall believes her win over Claressa Shields is eating away at her rival as she prepares to fight on September 10.
Marshall beat a 17-year-old Shields in the amateur ranks in 2012.
With the undisputed middleweight championship on the line in their first meeting as professionals, Marshall believes she has the mental edge over the American.
“It’s the only blemish on her record, amateur or professional. She wants to make up for it,” the Briton told 5 Live Boxing.
Marshall, 31, is the WBO champion, while Shields, 27, holds the IBF, WBC, WBA and Ring magazine belts.
The champions of the world have faced each other online and in person as they promote their rivalrywith Shields repeatedly denying Marshall’s victory over her is a sore point.
“He’s going to eat it,” Marshall added.
Marshall and Shields headline an all-female card at the O2 Arena and the fight will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Claressa will be “doubting herself” – Fury
Marshall and Shields, both undefeated in their professional careers, have a long history together. In addition to their highly talked about fight among fans, the rivals have also fought together and followed a similar trajectory.
Despite many accounts of his bout, Marshall said “nothing happened” of note.
Both competed at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympics, with Shields winning gold medals at both and Marshall being knocked out in the early rounds.
Their meeting in the pay-per-view ranks represents a big moment not only for women’s boxing, but for the fighters themselves.
Shields is a multiple weight world champion and visibly eager to prove a point against the big Marshall.
The two women seem opposites: Marshall is soft-spoken and quietly confident, Shields outspoken and assertive. “It’s a major clash of personalities, me and Claressa,” Marshall said.
Peter Fury, who trains Marshall, believes Shields could be in doubt ahead of what he says is the toughest fight of the American’s career.
“Forget the bravado. Deep down, Claressa, she’ll doubt herself,” Fury said.
“From the way she talks, she knows Savannah is a big order here. Forget the gimmicks, forget what you see, she knows she’s got a real problem here. She’s got to fight for her life.”
