In an exhilarating match at Manchester’s AO Arena, Britain’s Savannah Marshall emerged as the undisputed super-middleweight champion with a majority decision points victory over American Franchon Crews-Dezurn. Despite a slow start, Marshall showcased her skill and power, landing cleaner and heavier shots throughout the gruelling and fast-paced contest.
The judges’ scores reflected the intensity of the bout, with a draw at 95-95, but two judges favoring Marshall at 99-92 and 97-93. After the fight, Marshall wasted no time in calling 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, now holding a professional record of 13 wins, secured the undisputed crown after a devastating loss to Shields in their previous encounter in October. The rematch with Shields would offer Marshall a chance at redemption and further solidify her position in the division.
Although the attendance seemed lower than expected, with approximately 8,000 tickets sold in the 21,000-seat arena, the crowd showed enthusiastic support for Marshall as she made her way to the ring. The atmosphere intensified during the national anthems, where Crews-Dezurn surprised the audience by showcasing her singing skills with a rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner. However, the Manchester crowd, along with Marshall, appeared unimpressed by the theatrics.
The opening rounds of the fight were messy and cagey, with both fighters struggling to find their rhythm amidst clinches and smothered work. Marshall started to gain momentum, landing combinations and boxing behind her jab in the middle rounds. Crews-Dezurn displayed her resilience and relentless forward pressure, attempting to rough up Marshall on the inside with wild hooks. However, Marshall’s precision and composure allowed her to come out on top in the exchanges.
As the match progressed, Marshall’s dominance became more apparent. She delivered a memorable combination to the head and body in the eighth round, leaving Crews-Dezurn wincing. Sensing her lead on the scorecards, Marshall began to move more freely around the ring, even attempting uppercuts on the inside.
The final round showcased the fighters’ determination, with both letting their hands go. While Marshall occasionally neglected to utilise her height and reach advantage, the decision in her favour was widely accepted, despite one judge scoring the bout as a draw.
Marshall’s victory marks a significant milestone in her career as she claims the undisputed super-middleweight title. With a potential rematch against Shields on the horizon, Marshall aims to continue her pursuit of greatness and establish herself as one of the best in the division.
