Claressa Shields’ biggest rival has followed her to mixed martial arts after signing with the PFL. Savannah Marshall has been announced as the latest boxer to move over to MMA, with her debut already set in the PFL – where she could eventually be reunited with Shields in a fitting end to their 10-year rivalry.
Shields and Marshall had been seen as the two best prospects in boxing heading into the 2012 Olympics, where the latter defeated the American, handing her her first loss of her amateur career.
She went on to boast an incredible 64 wins to just one loss, coming against Marshall, before both turned professional with talks of a fight for years finally coming to a head in 2022. Shields was able to exact her revenge in their professional bout – winning by unanimous decision as the two shared words of respect after the bout.
But since then, the two have gone back and forth on social media and after wins of their own, with a future fight seemingly likely – and now, potentially in a different sport.
Shields signed with the PFL in 2021, with a 2-1 record after he recent victory while remaining active in both sports, with Marshall following in her footsteps.
The PFL announced Marshall will fight in Newcastle on June 8, with the PFL already announcing their intentions of a future bout with Shields.
A PFL statement read: “Savannah and Claressa Shields competed in one of the most-watched women’s boxing matchups in history when they first fought, and now with Savannah’s MMA debut, the two are on a collision course for a rematch wearing four ounce gloves and settling the score in the PFL SmartCage.”
