It’s another busy BOXXER bill this Saturday night, this time at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, and North East favourite, Savannah Marshall attempts to remain in line for a shot at undisputed glory, as she defends her WBO middleweight title at the head of the bill against Femke Hermans.
Sky Sports televise Marshall vs Hermans, live in the UK.
Marshall (11-0, 9 KOs) has been on a collision course for some time with her old amateur rival, Claressa Shields, and a win here should secure that match for later this year.
The Hartlepool native was the last woman to defeat Shields in a boxing ring, and the two haven’t hidden their dislike for each other since.
The ‘Silent Assassin’ turned over in 2017, and by October 2020, she became world champion with a seventh round stoppage of Hannah Rankin to win the vacant WBO belt that she still holds.
2021 saw two impressive defences, with Maria Lindberg seen off in three rounds in April, and in her most recent fight, she dazzled in stopping Lolita Muzeya in two rounds in October.
Marshall and Shields went head-to-head in person, following the American’s defence of her WBA, WBC and IBF middleweight titles against Ema Kozin in Cardiff in January and a clash between the pair is now tantalisingly close.
First, the 30-year-old must take care of Belgium’s Hermans (12-3, 5 KOs).
The 32-year-old briefly reigned as WBO champion at super middleweight and has faced Shields before, losing every round of a middleweight title challenge in 2018.
Her next fight saw a loss for the IBF super middleweight title, where she dropped a majority decision to Elin Cederroos, but she has won three straight since, albeit in limited company.
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Prediction: Marshall has shown ruthlessness in abundance in her last few fights, and will want to get the job done on Hermans better than Shields managed in 2018. I expect another swift job done for Marshall, who should retain inside the halfway mark.
Marku meets Jenkins
An intriguing fight heads the undercard, with big ticket seller Florian Marku defending his IBF International welterweight title against former British and Commonwealth champion, Chris Jenkins over ten.
Marku (10-0-1, 6 KOs) has shown a more rounded side to him in recent times, compared with his ruthless attitude in earlier contests, and he won the belt via split decision last year against Maxim Prodan, before beating Jorick Luisetto on points in November.
Jenkins (23-4-3, 8 KOs) has to be respected, and after losing his belts to Ekow Essuman in July, he returned in February, taking a points win over eight against former world champion, Julius Indongo.
Prediction: Marku has struggled with boxer types, and Jenkins has bags of experience. I lean towards the Welshman to cause a mild upset with a deserved points win.
Chelli, Rea return
Zak Chelli (10-1-1, 5 KOs) was only out once in 2021, and he makes his first appearance of the year here.
The Fulham-based super middleweight can take care of unbeaten, late-replacement, Jack Kilgannon (11-0, 3 KOs) before their six round duration.
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Bradley Rea (12-0, 5 KOs) takes an eight round assignment against Lukas Ndafoluma (20-4, 10 KOs) at middleweight, and he should be able to win inside schedule.
Remaining Undercard
At super welterweight, April Hunter (4-1) can return from defeat last time out with a points win over six against Ester Konecna (1-14-1).
In a pair of six round contests at heavyweight, Matty Harris (1-0) should be able to halt Phil Williams (4-34-1, 1 KO), and Hosea Stewart (1-0) may need the distance in a rematch with Mait Metsis (0-4), who he beat on points over four on debut in November 2021.
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In four round action, Luke Cope (3-0) can remain unbeaten with a points win against Lee Connelly (8-72-6) at super lightweight, and at super flyweight, Chloe Watson (1-0) can do the same against Gemma Ruegg (1-2).
Georgia O’Connor (1-0) will likely need all four rounds to take the win against Erica Juana Gabriela Alvarez (2-5).
