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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Ben Davies

Savannah Marshall in fiery confrontation with Claressa Shields after brutal KO victory

Savannah Marshall came face-to-face in a fiery war of words with Claressa Shields after knocking out Femke Hermans in Newcastle.

Marshall sent a warning to Shields after detonating a huge left-hook in the third round of her WBO middleweight title defence against Femke Hermans to stop the fight in the final second of the third stanza.

She pointed at her bitter rival shortly after the stoppage who was sat ringside ready to challenge her after the conclusion of the clash.

Shields came into the ring after the victory and the pair traded verbal jabs with security present to prevent the pair coming to blows.

The American star screamed words of warning to Marshall while getting in her face as promised pre-fight. Marshall opted to leave the altercation by turning around and leaving the ring to celebrate her successful title defence as the pair went their separate ways.

The 30-year-old later added that she was delighted with her performance and addressed the huge middleweight clash with Shields.

"For me that's it there is no-one else between me and Claressa now," Shields said after her victory. "It is me and Claressa now. I know she cannot handle my power. I believe I win that fight by knockout and I think I will severely hurt Claressa. It is Great Britain vs America next. It has got to happen here in the North East."

Marshall's victory has set up the undisputed showdown with Shields with the American having made her successful UK debut against Ema Kozin in Cardiff earlier this year. BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom confirmed that the fight will likely take place in the summer with negotiations well underway.

Who will win? Savannah Marshall or Claressa Shields? Let us know in the comments section below

"One hundred per cent that was the plan all along to make this fight," Shalom said after the fight. "Now we have what I believe is the biggest fight in women's boxing. We feel now we are days from an absolute classic and a milestone for women's boxing in general. We are looking at late June or early July, I believe it will happen this summer.

"We have been working with everyone relentlessly to make sure this happens, and we believe this fight has to happen in the North East. Claressa will never shy away from a challenge against one of the biggest female punchers we have ever seen in the sport. It's perfect."

Shields emphasised her desire to take the fight next and named the UK venues she would like to potentially stage the the event. "I am the world champion, if we are going to go and fight in the UK we should have to go somewhere neutral like The O2 arena or Wembley Arena," Shields confirmed after Marshall's victory. "As I have already given up my country. I will come back here if I have too but everyone knows that I shouldn't have too."

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