Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall finally go head-to-head for the undisputed women's middleweight title.
For Marshall, she let too many of the early rounds run away from her as Shields went toe-to-toe and utilized her exceptional footwork. But it was Shields who looked the better with a number of eye-catching combinations. The tide seemed to have turned in the sixth with Shields showing possible signs of tiredness.
All of the middleweight belts go on the line at the O2 Arena in London tonight.
Fight remains competitive, but Baumgardner looks to be edging it as it heads into the fourth. That developed in similar fashion to the first; Shields looked extremely sharp and quick in delivering combinations but Marshall fought back and slowed her down with some industrious counter punches of her own. Both figuring each other out in the early stages before Shields came with an absolute flurry of combinations as Marshall lost her way. Superb from both fighters who are on the front foot and producing some ferocious fighting as they battle all the way. The decision will be intriguing - it looked as though Baumgardner may have edged it.. That looked to be a hugely encouraging round for the home fighter. Solid work from Marshall in the ninth as the final bell looms. Great left hooks landed by both in the fifth. Here comes the second half of what has been an immense fight thus far. The final round beckons. Into the seventh they went and Shields defended well before landing some rasping body shots. Down to the judges here...
Shields won a unanimous decision over Marshall at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday with a brilliant display of boxing acumen, heart and conditioning.
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The 27-year-old won a unanimous decision after a stunning bout to add Marshall's WBO middleweight belt to her WBC, WBA and IBF crowns.
I think thatโs the fight of the year! Shields added: โI got the job done. The busier Shields was undoubtedly ahead on the cards by the eighth but a cut appeared on her forehead as Marshall found a way through her defence.
Claressa Shields becomes undisputed middleweight champion by beating long-time rival Savannah Marshall via unanimous decision in London.
Shields' confidence was never in doubt. Marshall's chin stood up to the challenge and the Briton was serenaded by the home crowd in the eighth round as she searched for a spark. The big puncher was repeatedly caught by the lightning pace of Shields' counters and when she tried to stamp her authority in the second, she was caught by two uppercuts from the two-time Olympic champion. The fight opened with a furious two minutes with Shields pouring on the pressure with shots to the body and head of 31-year-old Marshall. It was billed as the biggest fight in women's history and could quickly turn into one of the greatest rivalries in boxing history if fans are treated to a second and even third fight. The American was sensational in a career-best performance, avenging the only defeat on her pro and amateur record and staking her claim as one of the best fighters in the world.
Claressa Shields beat old foe Savannah Marshall on points to become the undisputed women's world middleweight champion at a sold-out O2 in London.
I think thatโs the fight of the year! Shields added: "I got the job done. "Claressa is a brilliant fighter.