The undisputed middleweight title clash between Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall has been postponed, in light of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II at 96.
Shields and Marshall were set to meet in a highly-anticipated showdown at the top of an all-female card at the O2 Arena on Saturday, which also included an eagerly-awaited super featherweight unification clash between Mikaela Mayer and Alycia Baumgardner, live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and on ESPN in the USA.
However, with the UK entering a period of national mourning following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday – Britain’s longest-reigning monarch – the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) confirmed just after 14.00pm local time that all shows this weekend have been postponed.
BOXXER released a statement shortly afterwards revealing that the show has been provisionally rescheduled for October 15 at the O2 Arena.
The statement read: “As a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the British Boxing Board of Control has made the decision to postpone Saturday’s event, BOXXER: Legacy – Shields vs Marshall.
🥊 Official statement from the @BBBofCuk confirming the postponement of all shows this weekend as a mark of respect following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.#Boxing pic.twitter.com/ReNgIsmIIc
— Pro Boxing Fans (@ProBoxingFans) September 9, 2022
“Our sincere thoughts are with His Majesty King Charles III and the Royal Family during this profoundly sombre time.
“We are working with all parties to provisionally reschedule for Saturday, 15th October, at The O2 in London.”
Earlier on Friday, the BBBofC announced that they had postponed all tournaments scheduled to take place on Friday, which included a show at York Hall and a bill in Glasgow.
Shields and Marshall had concluded a press conference in London on Thursday hours before news broke of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
Official statement regarding #ShieldsMarshall
Read the full statement @ https://t.co/yt3WMVlLFj pic.twitter.com/SduzUDJYpM
— BOXXER (@boxxer) September 9, 2022
BOXXER, one of four promoters involved in Saturday’s show, released a statement later on Thursday to confirm that Friday’s weigh-in would be staged behind closed doors and would not be open to the public or media members.
Although an official announcement on the status of the show they said would be made following “consolation with relevant government and sports sector bodies.”
All English and Scottish football games set to take place over the weekend were postponed on Friday, whilst the British Horse Racing Authority confirmed that racing scheduled to take place on Friday and Saturday had been cancelled.
BOXXER promoter, Ben Shalom said: “This is an unprecedented moment in our history and our sincere thoughts are primarily with the Royal Family and the nation at this time. Out of respect, the British Boxing Board of Control has decided to postpone Saturday’s show.
“A provisional date for Saturday, 15th October at The O2 is being worked on by all parties to stage this unique and iconic night of celebration for women’s sport at a more appropriate time.”
Adam Smith, Head of Boxing Development at Sky Sports, said: “All of our thoughts at Sky Sports Boxing are with the Royal Family at this time.
“As much as we were all looking forward to witnessing this historical sporting spectacle this weekend, it is absolutely right to respectfully reschedule the show for October 15th.”
