Savannah Marshall outlines her plans to return to boxing in 2025 and chase down a second professional fight with great rival Claressa Shields; Shields will next box for unified heavyweight titles and now Marshall wants to fight Shields for the undisputed heavyweight world championship
Savannah Marshall intends to return to boxing in 2025 and pursue a rematch with Claressa Shields, all the way up to the heavyweight division.
Marshall’s only defeat in professional boxing came against long-time rival Shields in a major 2022 contest.
In 2023, the Briton became the undisputed super-middleweight world champion with her victory over Franchon Crews-Dezurn but didn’t box at all last year as she transitioned to MMA and competed in PFL.
But she is planning her return to boxing in 2025. She wants to chase a rematch with Shields, and is especially eager to fight the American superstar for a heavyweight world title.
Shields is fighting Danielle Perkins for the WBC, WBO and IBF heavyweight championships on February 2.
Marshall expects Shields to win that bout and would welcome a heavyweight title fight with her great rival.
“I think I’ll follow suit with Claressa, go up,” Marshall told Sky Sports. “Hopefully that sets up that fight again.”
It’s the fight Marshall wants more than any other and potentially making it for an undisputed heavyweight championship would be all the more appealing.
“I went over to MMA hoping to catch her there, that hasn’t materialised,” Marshall said. “Get a fight in March and then hopefully her in the summer.
“Size-wise, I’m probably the biggest out there anyway, height, frame-wise. The pool’s so shallow, with competition. I could carry light-heavy, heavyweight. It’s not really an issue.”
She believes boxing Shields at heavyweight could give her advantages. Marshall said: “I am [bigger than her]. And hopefully it will slow her down a bit! So that’s a plus.
“It’s the biggest fight out there for us both.”
