Savannah Marshall is no word waster. After all, her nickname is Silent Assassin.
So we know it’s not hype or fuss when she suggests tonight might be the last time she walks between ropes.
Marshall isn’t looking to retire. anything else. But in Hartlepdrian’s eyes to be honest, if she didn’t beat Françon Crew-Dezrun, it would be like, “What am I doing in this sport?”
This is the standard set by Savannah. The American visitors landed on British soil tonight at the Manchester AO Arena for four super-middleweight belts. And she has a ring résumé where she lost to Claressa Shields only once in her debut. As Marshall knows, it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Cruz-Dezrun is a singer, fashion designer, promoter and four-belt champion, but Marshall is the star tonight. In the words of promoter Ben Shalom, “She’s now one of the most recognizable faces in women’s sport and she’s captured the hearts and minds of the nation.”
That’s why when the Liam Smith-Chris Eubank Jr. rematch fell apart, he had no doubts about making Cruz-Dezrun-Marshall the main event.
Attended by over 8,500, Hartlepool accents galore.
“There was a time very early in my professional career when I had to sell 50 tickets to a show, and I remember writing on Facebook that I didn’t have 50 friends,” Marshall said. laughs.
“We’ve come a long way.”
She certainly does. Marshall admits her life has changed since her last big clash with the SEALs. She’s been recognized on the streets, and while the 32-year-old is never a fame-seeking type, she appreciates the support from her fans. This marks a major breakthrough in women’s boxing, which Marshall has spearheaded.
Some have suggested that she may not be as hungry as she used to be because she has already accomplished so much. In short, it’s like garbage.
“I don’t know where it came from,” she says.
“No one knows me. They don’t know how hard I’ve been training and what I’m going through. If I didn’t want to be here, I wouldn’t be here. is my way.”
Trainer Peter Fury agrees. Despite losing to Shields in his last match, Marshall left the ring with his head held high after a very good fight. And since then, Fury says, her response has been good.
“We had a great camp and worked on a lot of things she didn’t do well last time.
“We fixed what we thought were flaws, fixed the wrinkles.
“I’m happy to be back. She’s a mature fighter and I can’t wait to see her grow under the lights.”
Middlesbrough heavyweight Will Howe, who shares a gym with Marshall, has seen her build-up up close.
“She went through two and a half months of hell, and nobody does that for the thrill,” he says.
“If it wasn’t for the hunger, she wouldn’t be sitting on that stage. She probably wants Claressa again after this fight. Obviously it’s going to be another big fight. But She has to get through this first.It’s a big battle.”
that’s right. And Marshall knows her build-up and hype is part of life at the top, so when the first bell rings, she really feels at home in the ring.
“I can’t wait,” she says.
“I have a new challenge to become the undisputed champion, which is great for me.
“For me it’s really (die or die). What are you doing in this sport if you can’t get past Françon Crew? There aren’t that many women at this level. I’m Claressa. I lost to , so if I lose, is there any other place I should go off the coast of France?
“Winning this means everything. I have a chance to get all the belts again, but I probably won’t get this chance again, so I have to leave it all there. be.”
Marshall has stepped up from middleweight to super-middleweight and is feeling comfortable.
“I look in the mirror and wonder how I got that middle ground,” she says.
“I feel really strong.”
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It might turn out to be an ugly fight. Crew-Dezrun will undoubtedly use that power to mount Marshall’s chest and try to stop Teasider from fighting at range. But Marshall is ready for whatever happens.
“In 12 weeks of training, all I’ve experienced is people coming to wrestle me, pamper me, sit on my chest. That’s what she’s trying to do.
“She’s done it every game so far. Every game. But we’re ready for it, we’re 100 percent ready.”
Crew-Dezrun isn’t lacking in confidence, but a win tonight to keep the gem would be an upset.
Marshall is a big favorite and the final bell is likely to come, but if it gets to that point, she won’t be looking back on her career in the past tense, but about the fights and challenges ahead and the big night ahead. will be speaking.
