Boxing`s bright lights shone down on Madison Square Garden, but for British fighter Savannah Marshall, her highly anticipated return to the ring ended under a cloud of controversy and a narrow defeat. Stepping back into competitive boxing after a two-year hiatus that included a venture into mixed martial arts, Marshall faced American contender Shadasia Green for the unified IBF and WBO super-middleweight championships.
The bout, featured on the undercard of a major event, delivered action, yet the focus quickly shifted to the judges` scorecards once the final bell sounded. The verdict: a split decision victory for Shadasia Green. While one judge favored Marshall with a score of 96-93, the other two saw the fight differently, scoring it 95-94 and 96-93 for Green, despite the American being penalised a point during the contest for excessive holding.
Scoring Under Scrutiny
Marshall did not mince words regarding the official scoring. Post-fight, she voiced her strong disagreement, particularly noting that all three officials were from the United States – a common point of contention when international fighters compete on foreign soil. “I`ve come over here, I`ve given you all three judges, how is that fair? Even with a point off,” Marshall stated, expressing her frustration. She clarified, however, that her complaint wasn`t necessarily about claiming victory herself, but about the perceived fairness of the scoring process. “All I wanted was a fair fight. Come on,” she urged, highlighting the subjective nature inherent in the sport`s scoring system.
Despite her criticism of the judges, Marshall was gracious and candid about her opponent`s performance. She paid tribute to Green`s toughness and surprising power, admitting, “Taking nothing away from Shadasia, she was absolutely unbelievable tonight and you know what, I`ve never been hit like that before ever.” This admission from a fighter known for her own formidable power underscored the difficulty of the challenge Green presented.
Green Reflects and Looks Ahead
For Shadasia `Sweet Terminator` Green, the victory marked a significant milestone in her career. Acknowledging the demanding nature of the contest, Green echoed Marshall`s sentiment about the fight`s intensity. “Shout out to Savannah Marshall, she was a tough cookie,” Green remarked. She also revealed taking heavy shots herself, including one that buckled her leg – an experience she, too, had never encountered in the ring before. The physical toll was evident, with Green mentioning difficulty hearing out of one ear, indicating a need for rest and recovery before her next move.
With the unified titles secured, Green wasted no time in identifying her next target: the undisputed middleweight champion, Claressa Shields. Shields holds a unique position in this narrative, being the only other professional boxer to have defeated Savannah Marshall. A bout between Green and Shields would not only pit two champions against each other but would also leverage the history and rivalry involving Marshall.
“I would love to fight Claressa Shields,” Green declared confidently, asserting that facing the best competition brings out her own best performance. This challenge was quickly amplified by her promoter, Jake Paul, who is eager to make the fight a reality. Paul recognized the significant commercial appeal, stating, “Business is business and that`s one of the biggest fights that can be made in boxing.”
Green`s confidence heading into a potential clash with Shields seems bolstered by her performance against Marshall. She recounted a conversation where Marshall allegedly told her she`d never faced someone who hit as hard and even suggested Green “could take Shields out.” Whether this was a literal assessment or post-fight hyperbole, hearing it from a fighter of Marshall`s caliber clearly resonated with Green, fueling her ambition to test herself against the self-proclaimed “GWOAT” (Greatest Woman Of All Time).
The Super-Middleweight Landscape Shifts
Savannah Marshall`s comeback fight did not go according to plan, marked by a tough opponent and contentious scoring. Her future path, whether a rematch or another direction, remains uncertain following this setback. Meanwhile, Shadasia Green emerges from New York with unified titles and immediate aspirations to challenge the division`s biggest name. This split decision not only altered the title picture at 168 pounds but also potentially set the stage for another major showdown in women`s boxing, adding yet another layer of intrigue to a weight class already rich with talent and history.
Murray Blackwood