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LIVE: Claressa Shields is the undisputed middleweight champion! The GWOAT produces an impressive performance to beat Savannah Marshall by unanimous decision in an absolute war
By Oli Gamp for Mailonline
Published: 18:30, October 15, 2022 | Updated: 23:33, October 15, 2022
Claressa Shields had the last laugh on Savannah Marshall to end their bitter rivalry as she became the undisputed middleweight champion with a unanimous decision to clinch an incredible, hard fought fight that will become the of the year
Shields and Marshall left absolutely nothing in the ring as they gave the fans a party inside the O2, swinging at each other throughout, but it was Shields who came out on top in the momentous showdown with heart and courage to defeat the British favourite.
The judges awarded him the victory with two scores of 97-93 and one of 96-94, and after that, barnstormer fans will be looking forward to Chapter II.
Claressa Shields defeated Savannah Marshall to become the undisputed middleweight champion
GWOAT earned a unanimous decision victory with two scores of 97-93 and one of 96-94.
In a sold-out O2 Arena, it felt like a defining moment for women’s boxing. An all-female card for the first time in boxing – and an undisputed matchup between these two fierce rivals that topped it off – as 20,000 fans roared both fighters into the ring.
After two emotional renditions of God Save the King and the Star-Spangled Banner, this massive pageant began.
Shields had promised a knockout and a one-way fight in his favor, and in an electric first round he threatened to make good on his promise.
Marshall started confidently as the crowd chanted her name, before Shields stunned her as she unloaded with a series of slimy hooks that rocked the British favorite and put her in serious trouble.
Marshall responded with a combination of body shots in an incredible start to the first round, before coming back stronger in the second, connecting with a big right hand and a couple of jabs to keep his opponent at bay.
With Marshall looking poised again after that crazy start, he pinned Shields in the corner in the third and let her fly with some powerful hooks as the two fighters continued their onslaught against each other, barely taking a moment to stop.
Shields looked livelier in the fourth, showing off her speed to slip a few Marshall hooks and responded with a stunning combination. A brilliant left hook closed out a dominant round as he caught an exhausted looking Marshall.
The pace of the fight slowed down a bit in the fifth, but both Marshall and Shields kept up the intensity landing a series of shots to the body, before Shields caught him with a huge left hand. Marshall left Shields hurt in the sixth after a powerful left caught her in the corner and the American’s fatigue began to show. This was turning into a straight shootout as Shields fired back at his opponent with two straight rights.
This swing game continued into the seventh as Marshall tried desperately to break Shields’ resistance, to no avail. The American landed a fantastic combination towards the end of the round, and in the eighth round the O2 was amazed to see that the pair still had the energy to hold off each other.
Marshall fought back in the ninth with Shields looking like she was ahead on the cards, swinging wildly at the American, who was propped up on the ropes. He stuck out his tongue to show he was far from done.
As this grueling and hard-fought fight came to a close, Marshall began to run out of energy as he chased down a stall. But Shields hit with two big right hands as the final bell rang. Both women had their hands up, but this was Shields’ moment. They call him the GWOAT, and tonight he earned it.
Follow the Sportsmail live blog for updates on Claressa Shields vs Savannah Marshall as well as full card coverage.