Savannah Marshall vs. Femke Hermans | Sky Sports - 2 April 2022

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Savannah Marshall will fight Femke Hermans in WBO middleweight title defence on March 12 in Newcastle, live on Sky Sports

Savannah Marshall vs Femke Hermans on March 12; Claressa Shields vs Ema Kozin is on Saturday, both live on Sky Sports; can they both win to set up a mega-fight?

Savannah Marshall will defend her WBO middleweight championship against Femke Hermans on March 12 in Newcastle, live on Sky Sports.

It is a triumphant return to the north-east for Marshall five months after she sensationally knocked out Lolita Muzeya.

Marshall's next challenger Hermans is the EBU European champion and took Claressa Shields the 10-round distance when they battled in 2018.

Shields makes her UK debut against Ema Kozin on Saturday in Cardiff, live on Sky Sports - if she and Marshall both win their next title defences, they expect to finally meet inside the ring to settle their rivalry.

Marshall's fight on March 12 headlines a BOXXER co-promotion with Wasserman Boxing.

"After the reception I received last time I'm really excited to fight in Newcastle again," Marshall said.

"The fans were unbelievable and I couldn't have asked for a better turnout or better support. That was a great night and I can't wait to do it again.

"Femke and I were due to fight last year, but she tested positive for Covid in fight week so it was called off at the last minute. We know each other quite well - she's studied me, I've studied her. She's only ever lost to the best in the world and she's a former world champion herself, so I'm looking at a tough night in Newcastle."

Ben Shalom, BOXXER founder and CEO, said: "To hear the roaring support that Savannah received for her first time headlining in Newcastle was a very special moment that I think marked her arrival on the centre stage of British sport.

"She's got a very tough opponent for this key fight in March and I think we're going to see a career-best performance in front of another sold-out crowd."

Adam Smith, Head of Boxing Development at Sky Sports, said: "Wonderful news that Savannah Marshall is back defending her WBO middleweight crown in Newcastle - where she shone last time out!

"Sav is becoming a massive name now in her native north-east and she must overcome former world champion Femke Hermans in order to keep her mega match with Claressa Shields on track!

"Savannah will also be with us in Cardiff this weekend to spy on Claressa's IBF, WBA and WBC title clash with Ema Kozin - can both boxing stars keep their belts for a huge battle of the undisputed champions this summer?"

Kalle Sauerland, Head of Global Boxing at Wasserman, said: “We’re excited to be back in the north-east for what promises to be a spectacular night of boxing in Newcastle.

“Savannah Marshall vs Femke Hermans headlines an action-packed card that will also feature incredible talent from the Wasserman Boxing and BOXXER stables in this co-promoted event live on Sky Sports. We look forward to announcing more details soon.”

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Press Release

Five months on from her stunning stoppage win in front of a sold-out crowd in Newcastle, World Middleweight Champion Savannah “The Silent Assassin” Marshall (11-0, 9 KO’s) makes a triumphant return to the North East in March for a third defence of her WBO Women’s Middleweight World Championship.

Standing opposite the Hartlepool heroine will be former WBO Female Middleweight Champion and current EBU European Female Middleweight Champion Femke Hermans (12-3, 5 KO’s), who took Marshall’s bitter rival Claressa Shields the distance when she challenged her for the unified WBA, WBC, and IBF female middleweight titles in 2018.

Marshall’s battle with the Belgian brawler takes place Saturday, March 12 in Newcastle (venue to be announced) and airs live and exclusively across the UK on Sky Sports. The full card, co-promoted by BOXXER and Wasserman Boxing, will be announced shortly.

Shields is defending her titles in Wales this coming weekend; should she be successful – and should Marshall successfully defend her title in March – the stage could be set for one of the most long-awaited showdowns in recent memory and the biggest fight in the history of women’s professional boxing.

First though Marshall must contend with Hermans. Following her stunning second-round stoppage of the previously-undefeated Lolita Muzeya in October, Marshall heads into the bout as a favourite. But Hermans has her eyes firmly on the prize: upset the defending champion and secure herself a rematch against Shields.

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New date for this bout..

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Savannah Marshall's world title defence against Femke Hermans moved to April 2 as Claressa Shields undisputed clash looms

Savannah Marshall will defend her WBO middleweight world title against Femke Hermans in Newcastle on April 2, as she looks to stay on course for an undisputed clash with Claressa Shields.

The show, which was previously scheduled for March, will see Marshall take on the Belgian former world champion at Newcastle Arena, live on Sky Sports.

Also fighting on the card will be Florian Marku, who looks to continue to his ascent to welterweight world championship contention, and heavyweight Nathan Gorman, who is returning to action after more than a year out of the ring.

The unbeaten Marshall's third defence of the world title she won against Hannah Rankin in October 2020 comes against a dangerous opponent in Hermans, with the pair having previously been set to meet in April 2021 before a positive Covid case in the Belgian's camp forced her to withdraw.

Marshall is seeking to extend the 11-0 start to her professional career, as she looks to secure a hugely anticipated undisputed middleweight world title clash with Shields, who holds the division's three other titles and sits on a 12-0 record.

Marshall was ringside to watch Shields dominate Ema Kozin in Cardiff earlier this month, with the pair becoming embroiled in a war of words following the American's victory.

The fight sees Marshall return to the scene of her most recent victory, a second-round stoppage of Lolita Muzeya in October that extended the Brit's run of stoppage wins to seven.

Hermans is a tough and experienced operator who previously took Shields the distance when she challenged her for the unified WBA, WBC, and IBF world middleweight titles in 2018 and will be hoping to secure a rematch if she can beat Marshall in Newcastle.

"I'm really happy to be going back to Newcastle Utilita Arena after the amazing reception I received there last time," Marshall said.

"Femke is a very tough girl and it's going to be a hard night's work but I'm really looking forward to putting on a show.

"I'm sorry to anyone who has been inconvenienced by the date change but I hope everyone who wants to be there can still be there. I really can't wait," said Marshall.

Boxxer chief Ben Shalom said: "We can't wait to return to the Utilita Arena on April 2 and feel the incredible atmosphere and buzz of the Newcastle fans. This is a crucial fight for Marshall - she has to beat the dangerous Femke to secure the ultimate showdown with Claressa Shields."

Sky Sports head of boxing development Adam Smith added: "We are thrilled to be returning to the North East where there is such a passionate and growing fan base for Savannah Marshall."

Marku, competing in his first fight since signing with Boxxer, takes on former British and Commonwealth champion Chris 'Rock n Rolla' Jenkins.

'The Albanian King' maintained his undefeated record in November by outpointing Jorick Luisetto, while Jenkins is coming off an emphatic decision win over former unified super-lightweight world champion Julius Indongo in Cardiff earlier this month.

The winner takes a big step closer to competing for major title honours later this year.

"I'm excited for my first fight of the year, it's going to be the start of very big things," Marku said. "I love fighting in new places so I'm looking forward to entertaining the amazing Newcastle fans and showing them my brand of fighting."

"Chris Jenkins is a good opponent. He's won championship belts in Britain and he's just beaten a former unified world champion. This will be a tough fight between two warriors. This is an important year for me - I'm looking to make a big statement and put the rest of the 147-pound division on alert."

Gorman, the former WBC International Silver champion, will return to the ring for the first time in over a year as he takes on American Scott Alexander.

The 25-year-old, who holds an 18-1 record, is looking forward to a period of activity as he targets domestic titles and world rankings.

Tyneside legend Aaron Chalmers, announced last week as a new signing to the Boxxer stable, will also make his promotional debut on the card.

Coached by renowned trainer Adam Booth, Chalmers' millions of fans will be watching keenly as he transitions from his successful career in professional MMA.

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Press Release

Savannah “The Silent Assassin” Marshall’s defense of her WBO middleweight title against former WBO champion Femke Hermans has moved to Saturday 2nd April and will headline an all-action event airing live and exclusively in the UK on Sky Sports.

The show, previously scheduled for March, will be a co-promotion with Wasserman Boxing and take place at Newcastle Utilita Arena, which in October hosted Marshall’s stunning second-round stoppage of Lolita Muzeya. That win maintained Marshall’s undefeated record, extended her run of stoppage wins to seven and kept the WBO championship belt around her waist.

Earlier this month, Marshall was in Cardiff to watch bitter rival Claressa Shields defend her world championship titles against Ema Kozin by unanimous decision. When the American star exited the ring, she and Marshall became embroiled in a war of words, raising tensions between the two to fever pitch.

Marshall must now ensure she defeats the dangerous Hermans (12-3, 5 KO’s), the current EBU European Female Champion, to set up one of the most long-awaited showdowns in recent memory and the biggest fight in the history of women’s professional boxing.

Belgium’s Hermans is a tough and experienced operator who previously took Shields the distance when she challenged her for the unified WBA, WBC, and IBF middleweight titles in 2018 and will be hoping to secure a rematch if she can beat Marshall in Newcastle.

“I'm really happy to be going back to Newcastle Utilita Arena after the amazing reception I received there last time. Femke is a very tough girl and it's going to be a hard night's work but I'm really looking forward to putting on a show. I'm sorry to anyone who has been inconvenienced by the date change but I hope everyone who wants to be there can still be there. I really can't wait,” said Marshall.

Also confirmed for Newcastle is “The Albanian King” Florian Marku (10-0, 6 KO’s), competing in what will be the first bout of his new exclusive contract with BOXXER, in a key domestic encounter with former British and Commonwealth Champion Chris ‘Rock n Rolla’ Jenkins (23-4, 8 KO’s).

Marku maintained his undefeated record in November and showcased his cerebral boxing skills as he steadily outpointed Jorick Luisetto, while Jenkins is coming off an emphatic decision win over former unified super-lightweight world champion Julius Indongo in Cardiff earlier this month. The winner takes a big step closer to competing for major title honors later this year.

“I’m excited for my first fight of the year, it’s going to be the start of very big things. I love fighting in new places so I’m looking forward to entertaining the amazing Newcastle fans and showing them my brand of fighting,” said Marku.

“Chris Jenkins is a good opponent. He’s won championship belts in Britain and he’s just beaten a former unified world champion. This will be a tough fight between two warriors. This is an important year for me - I’m looking to make a big statement at the Utilita Arena and put the rest of the 147 pound division on alert.”

Jenkins added, ‘At this stage of my career, I want the biggest fights available to me. Marku is a good fighter who also has a big following. I can’t wait.”

Having signed promotional terms with Wasserman Boxing, Nantwich Heavyweight Nathan Gorman (18-1, 12 KO’s) is back in action as he looks to kick-start his promising career with a statement win against Scott Alexander (16-4-2, 8 KO’s).

Gorman, the former WBC International Silver Champion, will return to the ring for the first time in over a year following his second round TKO win over Pavel Sour at London’s Copper Box Arena on 27th March 2021.

The 25-year-old is looking forward to a period of activity as he targets domestic titles and world rankings, starting with a tough test in the North East against 32-year-old LA-native Alexander, who has previously gone the distance with Heavyweight contenders Carlos Negron and Travis Kaufmann.

“I’ve been out of the ring for a year so I can’t wait to get back out under the lights,” said Gorman. “It’s an exciting time for me. I’ve got a big brand backing me in Wasserman and I’m fighting on a huge platform with Sky Sports. This is a new adventure for me and I can’t wait to get started.

“Scott Alexander is a decent opponent. He’s been in there with some good names, and he’s never been stopped. If I give a good performance and get the stoppage that will send a statement to the Heavyweight division.”

"I'm focused, ready, and excited to fight in the UK, they have great fans and an amazing atmosphere,” said Alexander. "I'm grateful for the opportunity and I'm looking forward to showcasing my skills to the boxing world and demonstrating that I belong in there with the best in the heavyweight division."

Tyneside legend and national celebrity Aaron Chalmers, announced last week as a new signing to the BOXXER stable, will also make his promotional debut on this card. Coached by renowned trainer Adam Booth, Chalmers’ millions of fans will be watching keenly as he makes transitions from his successful career in professional MMA.

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Fight Week!

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