By Olu Allen
CLARISSA Shield is still the champion. Shields won a unanimous decision over Ema Kozin in Cardiff on Saturday to retain her IBF, WBA and WBC middleweight championship and edge a step closer to facing WBO titleholder Marshall.
Claressa Shields showed what she does beautifully, dominating from start to finish in her points victory against Ema Kozin.
Claressa Shields felt the referee should have stopped her fight against Ema Kozin as she won by unanimous decision.
Shields had totally dominated her opponent Kozin and came close to securing the stoppage through her quick-fire punches and body shots.
In the final rounds Shields was able to abandon her own defence and hunt for the knockout but Kozin bravely hung on.
After her victory came the spice of the night. Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall went face to face and argued after the American’s victorious UK debut.
“If you perform like that against me, I’ll absolutely wipe the floor with you,” Savannah Marshall warned Claressa Shields.
“I’m not scared of you. You didn’t come to America. I came here!” The American shouted back at Savannah.
Marshall: “People were walking out [during your fight!] It was embarrassing.”
Shields had said: “The girl I want is Marshall. That’s why I’m here. She knows that.”
Tempers flared as Shields got into Marshall’s face and the rivals had to be separated.
The American won her UK debut; Marshall must win on March 12. It is up to Ben Shalom, Marshall’s promoter to ensure the greatest fight female boxing fight of all time happens.
In other news, Chris Eubank Jr won a unanimous decision in his rival’s home city after dropping Williams repeatedly, including in the opening round.
Chris Eubank Jr knocked Liam Williams down four times in a spiteful performance to end their bitter feud in Cardiff on Saturday.
A good way to return to boxing is the news of Keith Thurman. Keith “One Time” Thurman marked his return to the ring for the first time since 2019 by defeating former world champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios by unanimous decision in Las Vegas.
Thurman, a former unified welterweight world champion and competing for the first time since losing to Manny Pacquiao in July 2019, got off to a strong start and never relinquished control in the 12-round contest.
The next boxing schedule are:
Saturday February 19 in Manchester
Amir Khan vs Kell Brook
Natasha Jonas vs Ewa Piatkowska – WBO super-welterweight title
Frazer Clarke’s pro debut
Saturday February 26 in Glasgow
Josh Taylor vs Jack Catterall – undisputed super-lightweight titles
Nick Campbell vs Jay McFarlane – Scottish heavyweight title
Saturday March 5 in Fresno
Jose Ramirez vs Jose Pedraza
Saturday March 12 in Newcastle
Savannah Marshall vs Femke Hermans – WBO middleweight title
Sunday March 20 in New York
Edgar Berlanga vs Steve Rolls
Keyshawn Davis
Xander Zayas
