Savannah Marshall prepares for largest struggle of profession towards Claressa Shields, however then what?

Saturday’s undisputed middleweight world title struggle towards Claressa Shields would be the largest second of Savannah Marshall’s profession — and he or she admits she might by no means attain the identical heights once more.

The English boxer faces Shields for all 4 world titles on the O2 Area in London (ESPN+, 2:30 p.m. ET), in what has been described as one of many largest fights within the historical past of ladies’s boxing.

However Marshall fears it might be a bittersweet second for her.

After going through Shields — win or lose — WBO champion Marshall sees no potential struggle to match it.

WBC, IBF, WBA champion Shields is already juggling boxing with a profession in blended martial arts (MMA) and the Michigan native is anticipated to return to the cage later this yr for her third MMA outing.

Whereas Shields (12-0, 2 KOs) has received world titles at welterweight and junior middleweight stage, in addition to middleweight, dropping down a weight class shouldn’t be an choice for Marshall (12-0, 10 KOs), who’s 5-foot-11.

“I do not hate her, she simply will get on my nerves a bit,” Marshall, 31, informed ESPN.

“Earlier than I received the world title, who would wish to field me when you’ve got a excessive proportion of getting knocked out? As an example, I spent three years attempting to pay money for Ema Kozin.

“She did not need something to do with me however then took a struggle with Claressa — why? Since you may go 10 rounds along with her and never get knocked out, popping out and not using a scratch [Shields beat Kozin by unanimous decision in February 2022]. However, in the event you field me, you’ve got a excessive likelihood of getting knocked out.

“After I beat Claressa Shields, there is not any one else on this division and I am unable to go to junior middleweight, so I can solely go larger to tremendous middleweight and lightweight heavyweight. There aren’t the names in these divisions just like the lighter weight divisions the place you’ve got received Katie Taylor, Natasha Jonas, Amanda Serrano, Mikaela Mayer and others.

“Perhaps she’s not getting what she desires from this sport, possibly she’s not getting sponsorship or publicity like Katie Taylor is. Perhaps she’s not getting the sponsorship offers, endorsements and that is why she’s doing MMA. However will she get the offers there? A leopard cannot change its spots, she’s discovering arduous to vary her character.”

Maybe Marshall’s best choice for a struggle as huge as Saturday’s rescheduled conflict — it was postponed at late discover final month after the dying of Queen Elizabeth II — is a rematch additional down the road. The rivalry is fierce between Marshall and Shields, established when the pair had been amateurs, with Marshall having crushed the American on factors in 2012.

“Deep down, there’s undoubtedly hate there from her,” Marshall stated. “I’ve given up attempting to grasp her, she contradicts herself on a regular basis.

“My win over her [in 2012] bothers her. I am fairly level-headed however she’s the alternative, actually emotional.”