Savannah Marshall vs. Claressa Shields | Sky Sports - 15 October 2022

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Source: Claressa Shields-Savannah Marshall showdown being finalized for Sept. 10 at O2 Arena in London

The Claressa Shields-Savannah Marshall fight for the undisputed middleweight championship will take place on Sept. 10 at the O2 Arena in London, a source told ESPN on Tuesday.

The details are still being finalized, the source said, and an official announcement is expected in early July. But the finalization process is not expected to change the main particulars of the fight.

Shields (12-0, 2 KO), who holds the WBC, WBA and IBF titles, will fight for the second straight time in the United Kingdom after defeating Ema Kozin by unanimous decision in February. She is also expected to fight in a special attraction in mixed martial arts in the PFL later this year.

Marshall (12-0, 10 KO), the WBO champion, last fought in April, knocking out Femke Hermans in the third round.

Shields and Marshall have talked publicly about fighting for years -- Marshall defeated Shields as an amateur, giving Shields her only loss as a boxer in the preliminaries of the AIBA World Championships on May 14, 2012.

Multiple dates for the fight had been discussed throughout the past six months, ever since Marshall and Shields both signed a multifight agreement with Boxxer in November 2021. An injury to Marshall pushed back the fight from a potential date in July to September. Shields initially had said she wasn't going to fight Marshall in September because it would potentially interfere with her MMA preparation, but then decided to take the fight.

So back in Feb Peter Fury says PPV, but no mention of PPV in last post.

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Mayer-Baumgardner Jr. Lightweight Championship To Land AT The O2 On September 10

A pair of unification bouts will grace one of the best shows of an already incredible year in boxing.

BS.com has confirmed that the previously announced Mikaela Mayer-Alycia Baumgardner junior lightweight championship clash will head overseas, due to take place September 10 at The O2 in London. The bout will be paired with the Claressa Shields-Savannah Marshall undisputed middleweight championship, with the show to air on an ESPN platform in the U.S. and Sky Sports in the UK.

Mayer’s IBF/WBO titles and Baumgardner’s WBC/IBO belts will be on the line in a bout to officially crown a true junior lightweight queen.

ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein first reported that the event was finalized, confirming a previous breaking news report from the Ring IQ Boxing Talk YouTube channel revealing that Mayer-Baumgarder was London-bound. BS.com has learned that both bouts are expected to be formally announced on Tuesday following Independence Day holiday weekend.

The show will see 2016 U.S. Olympic teammates Mayer and Shields share the stage for the first time in the pros. The longtime friends and current unbeaten champions were the lone two females on the 2016 team that traveled to Rio, where Shields captured her second consecutive Gold medal.

Mayer stuck around in the amateur ranks for another year before signing with Top Rank upon turning pro in 2017. She has since emerged as a pound-for-pound level talent, winning the WBO title in a ten-round masterclass against unbeaten champ Ewa Brodnicka in October 2020. Two fights later, Mayer outslugged Maiva Hamadouche in their epic IBF/WBO unification bout last November in Las Vegas which was hailed by BS.com as the 2021 Female Fight of the Year.

In her most recent start, Mayer pitched a ten-round virtual shutout of former featherweight titlist Jennifer Han this past April 9 in Costa Mesa, California. The bout marked her first headliner in her childhood home state, having grown up in Los Angeles before relocating and eventually settling in Colorado Springs.

Each of Mayer’s last two fights came one week prior to Baumgardner entering the ring, their aligned schedules making it that much easier to move forward with their mouthwatering fight.

In a weird way, the bout almost represents a home game for Baumgardner (12-1, 7KOs), who will now fight in the U.K. for the third straight time. The explosive puncher-boxer from the greater Detroit area crashed the title picture with a sensational fourth-round knockout of unbeaten WBC/IBO champ Terri Harper last November 13 on the road in Sheffield, England. The feat was recognized by BS.com as the 2021 Female Knockout of the Year.

Baumgardner followed up with a ten-round shutout of former featherweight titlist Edith Soledad Matthysse this past April 16 in Manchester, England.

There was a brief period where Baumgardner was poised to face WBA titlist Hyun Mi Choi, as both titlists are promoted by Matchroom Boxing. The theory at the time was to stage that fight first “and then Mayer for all the marbles” as previously told to BS.com by Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn.

Those plans took a drastic turn when Mayer and Baumgardner were able to turn their fierce rivalry into one of the year’s most anticipated fights. Terms were reached in May, with the event merely announced as taking place in September on an ESPN platform. Las Vegas was the one U.S. city targeted, though there always existed the strong possibility of the bout landing in London as part of Top Rank’s continued working relationship with Ben Shalom’s BOXXER promotional company in the U.K.

The terrific grudge match lends a tremendous boost to a show already topped by the long-awaited showdown between Shields (12-0, 2KOs) of Flint, Michigan and Hartlepool, England’s Marshall (12-0, 10KOs).

Shields has won championships at 168, 160 and 154 pounds—in that order and undisputed championship status at middleweight and junior middleweight. The move down to 154 came at the cost of Shields letting go of her WBO middleweight title, which was claimed by Marshall in a seventh-round knockout of Hannah Rankin in October 2020.

Marshall has scored eight straight knockouts, including a three-round blitzing of Femke Hermans on April 2 in Newcastle, England. The 31-year-old Brit is the only fighter to beat Shields pro or amateur, doing so more than ten years ago during the Round of 32 in the 2012 World Amateur Championships. Marshall won the tournament outright, earning a place on the 2012 Great Britain Olympic boxing team that competed in London.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUXxmI ... ucjAVZbveg

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Seen as this is a biggish fight, can we move it to the British scene??

Press conference today.

[Glass Joe]

Seen as this is a biggish fight, can we move it to the British scene??

Press conference today.

yeah. only woman's fight, i would go out my way to watch.

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Shields-Marshall Kickoff Press Conference

Bitter rivals Claressa “GWOAT” Shields (12-0, 2 KOs) and Savannah “The Silent Assassin” Marshall (12-0, 10 KOs) faced off today in London at the kickoff press conference for their September 10 clash at the at the famed O2 Arena. On the line is the undisputed female middleweight championship. Shields will enter the ring carrying the WBA, WBC and IBF belts, while Marshall will wear her WBO strap.

Claressa Shields: “I don’t hate nobody but I really do have a huge dislike for her. My grandmother told me not to use the word hate so I won’t use it, but I don’t like Savannah and she’s one of my biggest haters. They’re saying she’s a big knockout puncher, she’s the only blemish on my record as an amateur, that she has the recipe to beat me. My job is to show that she doesn’t and that I don’t reign supreme in three different weight classes for no reason. If she was better than me, she’d be the one supreme in three different weight classes, not me.”

Savannah Marshall: “I’m actually a fan of Claressa Shields, she’s a pioneer and what she has done for the sport has been amazing. But the reality is, she doesn’t beat me. She didn’t before and she won’t again. And it kills her, it absolutely burns her inside, the fact that I beat her and I’ll beat her again. I’m not just going to beat her, I’m going to outbox her. I’m going to hurt her. This fight has been a long time coming but we’re here now and September 10 I will be the new middleweight champion of the world.”

It was also officially announced that the chief support slot will see WBO and IBF world champion Mikaela Mayer and WBC champion Alycia Baumgardner face off in a unification bout in the 130-pound division.

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Press Release

Two heated rivalries will come to a head Saturday, Sept. 10 in a historic championship doubleheader at the O2 Arena in London.

The previously announced main event will see two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields, the WBC/WBA/IBF/Ring Magazine middleweight champion, aim to once again become undisputed at 160 pounds by facing longtime rival and WBO titleholder Savannah Marshall.

Shields and Marshall faced off as amateurs, with Marshall edging Shields by decision at the 2012 AIBA Women’s World Championships in Qinhuangdao, China. Shields went 77-1 as an amateur and is the only female boxer to win undisputed titles in two weight classes.

In the co-feature, Mikaela Mayer will look to get one step closer to becoming the first undisputed champ in her division by putting her WBO/IBF/Ring Magazine junior lightweight titles on the line against WBC champion Alycia Baumgardner.

A total of seven world titles and two Ring Magazine belts will be on the line. Both bouts will air live on Sky Sports in the U.K. and ESPN+ in the U.S.

Mayer (17-0, 5 KOs) is a Los Angeles native who achieved international recognition when she represented the U.S. at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The following year, she signed with Top Rank and unleashed an impressive run of victories, including a one-sided decision over Ewa Brodnicka in October 2020 to capture the WBO 130-pound title. In 2021, she unified the WBO and IBF titles in an action-packed slugfest against Maiva Hamadouche, which also earned her the Ring Magazine belt. In her last outing, she retained her titles with a decisive win over former champion Jennifer Han. Mayer is confident that she will take a positive step forward toward becoming undisputed champion.

Mayer said, “I’m here to make the biggest fights possible, so I salute my team for making her an offer she couldn’t refuse. Huge thanks to Boxxer, Top Rank, Salita Promotions, ESPN and Sky Sports for working together to co-promote such an iconic event! I am ecstatic to finally be making my UK debut and to share the stage once again with my Olympic sis, Claressa Shields. I LOVE this era of women's boxing because we are re-writing the narrative and working to give our supporters the fights they DESERVE. To date, I’ve accomplished all I said I was going to do, and this next fight will be no different. I have all the tools and experience I need. There are levels to this sport, and she’s nowhere near mine. You can bet on it.”

Baumgardner (12-1, 7 KOs) is a five-year pro who burst onto the scene by traveling to Sheffield, England, to challenge WBC champion Terri Harper. Though fighting on enemy turf in front of thousands of British fans, the native of Fremont, Ohio landed a perfectly timed counter right hand that knocked Harper out on her feet. Baumgardner then made the first defense of her crown in April with a shutout decision over former unified world champion Edith Soledad Matthysse. After months of exchanges on social media, Baumgardner did not mince her words about Mayer.

Baumgardner said, “When we are both gray and old, Mayer is still going to be having Alycia Baumgardner flashbacks. When she is lying horizontally in the ring, Mayer will think back to the first time my name left her mouth and she’s going to wish it hadn’t. I guess we’re going to find out if Regina George has a chin. Not only will Mayer feel my power, but her descendants are also going to feel what I do to her. Not only will I take Mayer’s belts, but I’ll take everything from her. She’ll be lucky if I let her keep her name. If I’m not haunting her dreams before the fight, I will be after it. If you come at the queen, you best not miss. On the bright side for Mayer, a loss to me will be the best result on her resume."

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There is a rematch clause.

Both can activate it.

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Press Release

Undisputed World Middleweight Championship On The Line When Shields And Savannah Marshall Square Off At The O2, London – On Saturday, September 10th live on ESPN+ in the U.S.

Bitter rivals Claressa “GWOAT” Shields and Savannah “The Silent Assassin” Marshall went face to face and declared their intention to capture the undisputed middleweight world championship on Tuesday as they previewed their long awaited showdown during a press conference in London followed by a virtual press conference for international media.

The most anticipated women’s fight of all time will take place Saturday, September 10 from The O2, London and be available on ESPN+ for audiences in the U.S. Shields will bring the WBA, WBC and IBF middleweight titles into the showdown against Marshall and her WBO strap, in an event promoted by BOXXER and Salita Promotions in association with Hennessy Sports.

Shields will look to avenge the only loss of her storied career, an amateur defeat at the hands of Marshall in 2012, which kicked off the rivalry and war of words that continues to this day.

The co-main event of this historic card is a bout presented in association with Top Rank which will see WBO and IBF world champion Mikaela Mayer and WBC champion Alycia Baumgardner face off in a unification bout in the 130-pound division.

Be first in line to get exclusive access to discounted tickets by joining the waiting list at Boxxer.com. The fight will air live and exclusively in the UK and Ireland on Sky Sports and is presented in association with official partners bet365, Everlast, WOW HYDRATE and Village Hotels.

Here is what Shields, Marshall and Salita Promotions President Dmitriy Salita had to say Tuesday:

CLARESSA SHIELDS

“It means a lot to be here. I’m grateful that the UK fans have accepted me, once again, to come out here and fight. Savannah Marshall got lucky in 2012, but she won’t get lucky in 2022. I was 17 and also London was hosting the Olympics and they favored her. I never scored eight points in any of my fights, leading up. And then with the point system, all of a sudden I score eight? I just scored 30 points the day before, as I did every other fight and then, against her, I only scored eight points versus her 14? I was 17. She couldn’t shake me. She didn’t drop me. She couldn’t even get an eight count, but now she’s a knockout puncher?

“The Olympics and the amateurs matter to you. As an amateur, you went 60-16 with zero knockouts. I was 77-1, 19 KOs. You had zero (knockouts). You can’t do anything I can do. You can sit here and talk, but you’re not going to win on September 10.

“I don’t hate nobody, but I do have a huge dislike for her. My grandma told me not to use the word hate, so I don’t use it, but I don’t like her and she’s one of my biggest haters.

“They’re making it out that she’s a big knockout puncher and she’s the only blemish on my record as an amateur and she has the recipe to beat me. My job is to show everybody in the world that she doesn’t and that I reign supreme in three different weight classes for a reason. If she was the one who was really supreme, she would be champion in three different weight classes and not me.

“She’s a slow fighter and that is going to hurt her. Also, she’s tall but doesn’t know how to fight tall. All that inside stuff isn’t going to work against me!

“We are not here, about to fight in front of 80,000, because you‘ve won one belt. I’m the champ. I’m the GWOAT. Nobody knows you. Every time I speak of you, you get bigger. After this, you’re going to have 20,000 more followers because I’m here, not because of anything you’ve done.

“I’m happy that there’s another championship fight on the card, especially the women. Me and Mikaela went to the Olympics and the world championships together, and Alicia lives not even 45 minutes from where I live, so I’m friends with her too. This is one of the biggest fights in women’s boxing. We’re fighting in front of 80,000. We have a great co-main and there will be more women added to the card.

“Salita Promotions has never failed me. When I first met Dmitriy Salita and he asked me what my goals were, I said I want to be world champ in my seventh fight. I was world champ in my fourth fight. I told him I wanted to be undisputed champ against whoever the champion was. I’m like ‘get me the best. I want to fight the best, every fight.’ And he shook his head and said ‘yes, yes yes, we’re going to make it happen’. And after I beat Christina Hammer, I told him I’m not fighting for no less than $350,000, moving forward and he made sure I got $350,000 for those fights after that. In women’s boxing back then.

“Salita Promotions has been great to be with. I just love Dmitriy so much because he’s actually a fighter. We got in the ring and sparred together. To have a promoter who knows what we put ourselves through, he’s always asking me what else he can do and what else do I need? He always makes sure he comes through for me and he comes to visit me every single camp to make sure I’m feeling good and everything. I’m happy to be part of Salita Promotions.”

SAVANNAH MARSHALL

“This fight has been a long time coming, but we are here now and on September 10, I will be the new undisputed middleweight champion of the world.

“I’m a fan of Claressa Shields. What she’s done for the sport is amazing. She’s a pioneer for the sport, but the reality is, she doesn’t beat me. The first time we fought she didn’t perform and she won’t again on September 10. That’s what it is and it kills her. It burns her inside.

“I’ve knocked out people you went 10 rounds with. I’m not just going to beat you. I’m going to hurt you and outbox you. That’s all you need to know. I’m a better fighter. I’ll have all her world titles on September 10.

“It’s amazing, not just for me and Claressa headlining, but also having an amazing fight in Mikaela and Alycia. I think their fight is a headliner on its own. Sharing the night with them two will be unbelievable.

“I win this fight through heart and my boxing brain. On September 10, I will become the champion of the world. And that will be the end of her rubbish. See you on September 10, babe.

“I believe I’m a better fighter than Claressa Shields. I’m more skilled than Claressa. I believe I’m more determined.”

DMITRIY SALITA, President of Salita Promotions

“This fight has literally been a year in the making, and for us on the team, years in the making, so I’m very happy that we’re here. Claressa is not only known as the GWOAT because she’s a two-time Olympic gold medalist, multi-time amateur boxing world champion, three-division professional world champion and a two-division undisputed world champion, but because of what she’s doing right here. She’s traveling thousands of miles away from her hometown to avenge the only loss of her career when she was 17 years old. The rivalry could have been forgotten about, but she is the GWOAT.

“The boxing fans in the UK are phenomenal. I know they will appreciate Claressa’s aim and goal to be the best and to challenge herself and to get out of her comfort zone of the United States and to come out here and avenge that only loss.

“I really believe that Claressa Shields is a generational athlete who, 20 years from now, will be mentioned along with the greatest athletes like Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Pele… the greatest athletes who transcended their sport.

“I believe the reason Savannah is here and the reason many women are getting the respect they deserve is because of the success of Claressa Shields.

“As a little kid, before women’s boxing was a business, Claressa made a choice to go to the gym and strive to be the best. As a kid, to have that dream and to accomplish it and be sitting here now, is really incredible. Claressa Shields is not only an American hero, she’s a hero for the world. She has done a lot for not only women’s sports, but women’s rights too and I am very grateful and honored to be part of this incredible journey.

“This is the buildup of a very high-level championship fight. There is such a rivalry between them for fans to get behind. This event is not only a great sporting event, it’s a great cultural event. It’s going to be a fantastic night of boxing on September 10.”

CLARESSA SHIELDS

On her mindset during training…

“I just want to be better than yesterday. That’s all it’s ever been for me. I’m already better than (Marshall). I already have big accomplishments, gold medals, the wins and everything. It’s not really about her. Yes, she’s a good fighter and everything, and she holds one belt, but I hold 12. I don’t think about her when I’m training. Yes, we have a gameplan for (Marshall), but I’m just trying to be better than I was yesterday.”

On the loss to Marshall in the amateurs…

“I only lost in the amateurs in boxing. I’ve never lost in professional boxing. I’m undefeated. I lost to her 10 years ago in the amateurs by six points. It was 14-8. But that really doesn’t bother me at all because I’ve been able to be successful after that. On the other hand, you’ve got (Marshall) who lost every tournament she was in after our fight, and in those same tournaments I won gold.

“So having one loss in the amateurs and being able to turn pro and do everything that I’ve done since, I don’t really care about (that loss). But I think it’s a great story and storyline, and I guess we’ve got history. She doesn’t like me. I don’t like her, and I’m looking forward to fighting in six weeks.”

On being a model and mentor to younger women and athletes…

“I know that I have a big impact on the city of Flint and Michigan, and just throughout the U.S. for all the Black girls and girls who want to box. And I do take pride in it. That’s why I carry myself the way that I do. That’s why I continue to be confident. People have tried to force me to quiet down, and find a happy medium, and be nice to my opponents, and don’t trash talk, but it’s boxing.

“I’m very passionate about the sport and I love trash talking. I love the build-up to fights. And I’m officially a millionaire. I can do what I want, and I don’t have to follow all these rules that they put on women. So I just want to show the younger girls coming up to just be you.

“As far as helping the kids of Flint, I don’t know where I’d be without boxing. So me giving back with the Shields Community Outreach nonprofit is very heartwarming for me. I’ve met over 100 to 150 kids over the last few weeks and been able to teach them, spend time with them and mold them. You get to see people who didn’t have confidence gain confidence and see a future in themselves. I’m just happy that their parents give me the opportunity to do that.”

On training in both Michigan and Florida…

“I’ve been in training camp here in Michigan for five weeks already. I usually do six weeks of camp. But for this camp, since it’s so important and she’s such a big puncher, we’re going to put in an extra five weeks for (Marshall).

“I like training in Florida. It’s hot. I don’t have any distractions, like family and friends and stuff like that. That’s just where I do all my training camps. I’ve never done a full camp here in Flint.”

On the emotions ahead of September 10…

“Marshall has been quiet since the press conference. She was quiet during our sit together. I was thinking she would have more energy and more spite. But when we were face-to-face she tucked her tail, and that just showed me right there that she didn’t want this fight. She knows she’s not going to win this fight. I saw her do an interview where she had a black eye. So they’ve been trying to put her through all kinds of stuff in sparring to make sure she’s ready. But the truth is she’s lightyears behind me.”

On the strength of Shields’ professional opposition compared to Marshall’s…

“Marshall has fought a whole bunch of tomato cans. She might be 12-0 with 10 knockouts, but if you go and look at her record, the majority of those girls had losing records. You’re supposed to knock them out on three days’ notice, or a week’s notice.”

On the value of her previous experience in undisputed fights…

“When we get inside the ring, she hasn’t done this before. She hasn’t fought for an undisputed championship. This will be my third time. So people love to build it up and trash talk, but she’s going to want to talk trash in the ring, and I’m just setting that to the side and focused on training to be better, faster, stronger, sharper and smarter. I think she knows that and that she’s in for a tough fight.”

DMITRIY SALITA, President of Salita Promotions

On making the deal for Shields vs. Marshall…

“Claressa’s goal has always been to prove that she’s the greatest female boxer of this generation. She’s been doing this so far in her career. I’m surprised that the oddsmakers see Claressa as the underdog, but she has been proving the odds wrong her whole life, from growing up in Flint, to becoming two-time Olympic gold medalist, to being the face of women’s boxing and taking this sport to the next level.”

On how he sees the fight playing out inside the ring…

“I think the same thing will happen that happened when Claressa fought Christina Hammer. People thought it was going to be a tough, challenging fight, but they say pressure makes diamonds and I believe that Claressa is a great, great athlete and that situation is only going to make her step up to that next level and bring out her true potential. I believe she’ll raise her performance to the next level and outlast Savannah Marshall.”

On the significance of Shields vs. Marshall…

“This is a big event and a big fight, and I really believe that this is quite a significant cultural event as well. We’ve seen a tremendous media turnout here today, which is great. Not only is it great for this fight, but it also shows the return and growth of boxing and Claressa is big part of it.”

On Marshall’s strengths…

“She’s a good boxer. She’s getting better with each fight. She has good footwork, good power, a good jab. I believe that she’s a good, solid fighter. But as Roger Mayweather used to say, there are levels to this. And I believe Claressa is on a different level. Savannah is a good fighter. We respect her for stepping up to the plate. But great fighters like Claressa make good fighters like Savannah look subpar, and that’s what I think will happen on September 10.”

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Savannah Marshall and Claressa Shields have confirmed their undisputed middleweight championship fight for September 10 at the O2 Arena in London, live on Sky Sports. It will be a historic occasion as Shields-Marshall will headline the first televised all-women's professional boxing card in Britain

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Full Undercard Set For Historic September 10 Show At The O2

Four Olympians appear in separate bouts as part of an historic all-female boxing event.

The full undercard has been revealed for the already announced September 10 blockbuster show on Sky Sports from The O2 in London. The supporting cast includes 2020 Olympic Gold medalist Lauren Price, 2020 Olympic Bronze medalist Karriss Artingstall and Caroline Dubois—all of whom fought for Great Britain last summer in Tokyo—as well 2020 U.S. Olympian Ginny Fuchs.

Opponents for all were confirmed Tuesday, along with five more preliminary bouts preceding a championship doubleheader. Lineal/WBC/WBA/IBF middleweight champion Claressa Shields (12-0, 2KOs) and WBO titlist Savannah Marshall (12-0, 10KOs) collide in their long-awaited grudge match for the undisputed middleweight championship in the headliner, while Mikaela Mayer and Alycia Baumgardner meet for the lineael/WBC/IBF/WBO junior lightweight crown in the co-main event.

“We’re proud to announce these three Team GB Olympic heroines joining us to make boxing history on 10th September," noted Ben Shalom, CEO and founder of BOXXER who presents the historic all-female card. "Thanks to an incredible summer of the Lionesses celebrating Euro glory and the success of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham there’s a massive feelgood factor around women’s sport and now it’s professional boxing’s time to shine.

"We couldn’t be any prouder to put on this historic show at The O2.”

Wales' Price (1-0, 0KOs) will face Hungary's Timea Belik (6-6, 2KOs), returning to the ring three months after her June 11 pro debut. Joining the 28-year-old gifted welterweight southpaw is her partner, as Artingstall—who turned pro two weeks later on June 25—will face France’s experienced campaigner Marina Sakharov (5-16-2, 3 KOs) in a featherweight bout.

Joining Price and Artingstall is their Olympic teammate in Dubois, the most seasoned of the trio in the pro ranks. Dubois (3-0, 2KOs)—whose older brother Daniel is a secondary WBA heavyweight titleholder—fights for the fourth time as a pro, as she meets Bulgaria's Milena Koleva in a scheduled six-round lightweight bout.

“Caroline was incredible in Bournemouth and is clearly destined to reach the top," pointed out Shalom. "But this fight against Milena Koleva will be a tough step up for her against an opponent who pushed Katie Taylor to the limit. I also can’t wait to see Lauren and Karriss in action on the same night. Both have exciting futures and I know they will be keen to steal the limelight with impressive performances.

Houston's Fuchs (1-0, 1KO) joins longtime close friend Mayer for the second time in as many pro fights. The former amateur standout enjoyed a successful pro debut with a fourth-round knockout on the April 9 undercard of Mayer's ten-round win over Jennifer Han. Fuchs will now cross the Atlantic to face Gemma Ruegg (5-4, 1KOs) in a flyweight contest.

Also on the show: Portsmouth’s Ebonie Jones (2-0-1) faces Spain's Vanesa Caballero (4-15-3) in a featherweight battle; April Hunter (5-1) faces Argentina’s Erica Alvarez (3-6); London's Shannon Ryan (2-0) meets Spain’s Bucha El Quaissi (3-2-3, 1 KO) in a junior bantamweight bout; promising junior featherweight prospect Sarah Leigmann (4-0, 1 KO) squares off with battle tested veteran Bec Connolly (3-15-0); and junior middleweight prospect Georgia O’Connor (2-0) appears against an opponent to be determined.

“This truly is history in the making," vowed Adam Smith, head of boxing development at Sky Sports. "And adding three super talented and hugely popular Olympians to the mix makes it even better. Caroline has shown why she will be a prospect to be feared, especially with her brilliant display recently in Bournemouth.

“And both Lauren and Karriss are destined for very bright futures - Olympic 2020 medalists and now two of the brightest prospects in British boxing and emerging onto the professional circuit in an era when women's sport is ascending to its rightful place alongside the men's game and inspiring a whole new generation of female athletes. I cannot wait to watch all three in action for what will be an unmissable evening at The O2.”

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[HomicideHenry]

I honestly don't know what it is about American fighters who happen to be black that they have to go to the race card every single time. There was absolutely nothing that Savannah Marshall has said or done that would ever prompt a comment like that.

It's as if black American fighters have to whip themselves up into a frenzy over race in order to have the motivation to defeat their opponent, or to sell tickets. I'm reminded of that exhibition match between Floyd Mayweather and Logan Paul where Floyd had to bring up race and when Paul asked him why Floyd's comment was that everything has to do with race.

I really do like Clarissa Shields but I don't think she does herself much favors basically portraying herself as a villain. She was so likeable and lovable in the beginning of her career but in the last few years she has basically become some sort of thug wannabe like Deontay Wilder tries to act.

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Fight Week!

This will be on Sky Showcase!

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[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Undercard
all 6 rounders

Lauren Price vs. Timea Belik
Karriss Artingstall vs. Marina Sakharov
Caroline Dubois vs. Milena Koleva
Ebonie Jones vs. Vanesa Caballero
Ginny Fuchs vs. Gemma Ruegg
April Hunter vs. Erica Juana Gabriela Alvarez
Shannon Ryan vs. Buchra El Quaissi
Sarah Liegmann vs. Bec Connolly

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]