Undisputed super middleweight champion Savannah Marshall is pressing to get back in the ring with Claressa Shields – and she’s now targeting a second fight in two different sports.
On Tuesday, it was announced that Marshall has followed Shields to MMA by signing a multi-year agreement with Professional Fighters League.
“I couldn’t have missed the opportunity and the PFL is one of the most innovative sports organizations in the world and to be fighting alongside Kayla Harrison, Amanda Serrano, you’ve also got Jake Paul. It’s an incredible opportunity and I’m thrilled that the PFL wanted me to be a part of it,” Marshall told Sky Sports.
Marshall handed Shields her only defeat in boxing with a decision win in the amateurs.
Shields got revenge in the pros – with a ten round unanimous decision last October to become the undisputed champion at middleweight.
Marshall, after capturing the undisputed crown at 168 from Franchon Crews Dezurn a few months ago, is now gunning for Shields in boxing and MMA.
“That’s the plan,” Marshall said. “I’m not stupid and I can see why they were interested in me, from the response that me and Claressa got in the ring. So that’s definitely on the cards. It doesn’t look like a rematch in the ring is coming off, so I’ve had to chase her into another sport.
“I’ve boxed for 20-plus years, after doing the same combinations, the same routine. I’m excited to learn something different. I’m excited to start kicking, I’m excited to start grappling, wrestling, that sort of thing. I’m basically starting from scratch. It’s changing it up. I did the same thing for a long, long time. I might take to it, or it could be a total disaster! So we’ll have to see.”