Living up to her self-proclaimed title of G.W.O.A.T. — the greatest woman of all time — Claressa Shields outmaneuvered her longtime rival Savannah Marshall in a dramatic fight that showcased the best of women’s boxing on a significant night for the sport.
Shields, a Flint, Michigan, native who has worked her way up through major headwinds in the male-dominated world of combat sports, was crowned the undisputed middleweight champion on Saturday night following an unanimous decision victory, extending her undefeated professional record to 13-0.
The blockbuster fight, which headlined a sold-out all-women’s boxing event at London’s O2 Arena, was an entertaining affair fueled by vicious exchanges and a wild pace that delighted the raucous crowd. And though Marshall proved to be a formidable opponent, it was Shields who emerged victorious after dominating the first half of the bout with her impressive technical skills and clean combinations — a fitting end to a night in which the women’s card stood out amid a crowded slate of showcase boxing events, the others headlined by men.
“It’s not just a special moment for me. It’s a special moment for women’s boxing,” a tearful Shields said during her post-fight speech. “Women’s boxing has been around for so many years and there are so many greats who came before us, but here we are in front of 20,000 fans in London at the O2 Arena.
“And I think this is fight of the year!” she said.
The Shields-Marshall rivalry dates back to the 2012 amateur world championships, when Marshall handed Shields her first and only loss. Marshall went on to win the world championship a few days later, but Shields won the Olympic gold at the 2012 London Games as Marshall was eliminated early in the tournament.
In the 10 years since that first meeting, Shields has climbed to the summit of women’s boxing, winning two consecutive Olympic golds and becoming the only boxer in history to hold all four major world titles — W.B.A., W.B.C., I.B.F. and W.B.O. — simultaneously in two weight classes. Marshall, who grappled with social anxiety and considered retiring from boxing before turning professional in 2017, came into this fight with an identical 12-0 record, a clear height advantage and credibility as a bitter foe for Shields.
Shields expressed concern, then relief, as the ring announcer declared that the scorecards of 96-94, 97-93 and 97-93 were in her favor. She found Marshall in her corner and told her that she had appreciated each of their 10 rounds together.
“That was definitely the hardest fight of my career,” Shields told Marshall.
The bout was initially scheduled to take place Sept. 10, but was postponed because of a 10-day period of national mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. To note the British monarch’s 70-year reign, the W.B.C. on Saturday awarded Shields a purple “Elizabethan Belt,” which featured both the United Kingdom and United States flags, as well as decorations of the queen.
Shields said after the bout that Marshall was one of the toughest fighters she has ever faced. “She’s a hard puncher,” Shields said. “But I’m the better fighter 10 years later.”
In the co-main event, Alycia Baumgardner handed Mikaela Mayer her first professional defeat to become the unified I.B.F., W.B.C. and W.B.O. super featherweight champion. Baumgardner won by the narrowest of margins — a split decision that saw two judges score the fight 96-95 in her favor — to improve her pro record to 13-1.
The fight was certainly close, as Mayer showed superior technical boxing while Baumgardner landed significantly more power punches.
“I think I landed the cleaner shots, the harder shots,” Baumgardner said during her post-fight interview when asked whether she believed she had done enough to earn the victory. “I was the harder puncher. I dug deep.”
The two fighters spent the past few weeks trading shots on social media, and had to be separated by security after almost coming to blows at Friday’s weigh-in ceremony. Despite the heated build-up and close fight, Baumgardner insisted she plans to move on to bigger challenges.
“I ain’t giving no rematch,” she said.
Earlier on the Shields-Marshall card, Olympic gold medalist Lauren Price outclassed her opponent with a T.K.O. victory in the fourth round, while Caroline Dubois, the younger sister of top heavyweight prospect Daniel Dubois, earned a fifth round stoppage against a durable Milena Koleva.
The Shields-Marshall card came several hours ahead of two other men’s events that jockeyed for attention from boxing fans, though neither carried the similar combination of championship pedigree and compelling back story.
Deontay Wilder was scheduled to face Robert Helenius in Brooklyn, the first fight for the former top heavyweight Wilder since he was knocked out twice by Tyson Fury. Around the same time, Devin Haney was scheduled to fight George Kambosos Jr. in Melbourne for four lightweight belts.
