What a moment for women’s boxing, the first all-female pro card in the world.
It would have been nice had it gone ahead at The O2 as originally scheduled last month so that the sport could have paid its own tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth as others did. It is fitting that Claressa Shields should top the bill, a double Olympic and multi-division world champion.
Shields has lost only bout in her entire career, in the amateurs to her opponent on Saturday night, Savannah Marshall. It is the classic confrontation, a fast-talking box-fighter versus the reticent knockout artist. Shields brings the star quality and the bombast, Marshall the last word in power.
The bill also features Mikaela Myer against Alycia Baumgardner, a brilliant fight good enough to lead a show in its own right. And we are thrilled that Caroline Dubois makes her fourth professional appearance on this show against Milena Koleva.
For her to be able to share in a historic moment, to say, "I was on that bill" is fantastic. This is a good test, one that we know will show what a great career she has ahead of her. She is still learning, inclined to rush her punches but is improving rapidly and destined to be top of the bill one day.
Marshall is super-confident about inflicting a first professional defeat on Shields. That confidence is based not only on her own key asset but Shields low knockout record of two in 12. If you can’t punch with authority as a pro you are diminished.
Marshall hits very hard, a point she has not been slow to make in the build-up. She flattens opponents, which is unusual in the women’s game. I think Shields will come out the gate fast. The way you deal with that is to punch with your opponent, which will discourage her.
Marshall tends to be a slow, lazy puncher, so she will have to adapt. As the fight evolves her chances of landing cleanly will increase. I think Marshall drops Shields and starts to get on top. Against the majority view, I think she wins either by stoppage or a wide points margin.
Myer and Baumgardner is equally compelling. Myer is tall and aggressive, a very good body puncher and throws great combinations. Baumgardner likes opponents to come on to her, but she will not find Myer easy to hit. I see Myer edging it. In the broader sense there are no losers on a historic night like this. Young girls everywhere have a reason to believe with role models to emulate. For women’s boxing that’s the biggest victory of all.
- Follow Barry on Twitter at @ClonesCyclone @McGuigans_Gym
