When opportunity presents itself, answer the call, especially if you're in the business of knocking people off your feet.
Two-division champion Savannah Marshall has been boxing her entire career, but she'll be eschewing the sweet science and taking a break inside the cage when she makes her mixed martial arts debut against Mirella Vargas (1-2) at PFL Europe on Saturday at Utilita Arena in Newcastle, England.
“Silent Assassin” Marshall, from Hartlepool, County Durham, England, is hoping her MMA success will lead to a rematch inside the cage against Claressa Shields.
Marshall (13-1, 10 KOs) faced Shields in October 2022 for the undisputed middleweight title and lost by unanimous decision before defeating Franchon Crews-Dezuen by majority decision in July to win the undisputed super middleweight title.
“It was just a chance [from the PFL to fight in MMA] “This is something I'd never considered before,” Marshall told Boxing Scene. “I was supposed to box in March, but then the PFL told me I could potentially be in the cage against Claressa Shields on June 8th, so that's what got me excited. … Nothing's guaranteed. It could happen. Hopefully, the possibility is there.”
“I'm in a dilemma. I don't really have anyone to fight in boxing other than the rematch with Franchon and Claressa. The PFL opportunity came at the perfect time. I'll give it a go with the PFL and see what happens.”
For Marshall, the crossover to MMA has been complicated at times.
“Preparation of [five-minute rounds] “It's been really tough, it's been a tough transition,” said Marshall, who has been training with interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.
“I have a knockout punch, if I land it cleanly it will hurt the guy.
“To be honest, I grossly underestimated how hard the transition would be. I went in thinking it would be easy, but it hasn't been that easy at all. It's been a complete reinvention for me. I've been boxing for over 20 years, so this is new, exciting and exhilarating. I'm really enjoying it.”
Marshall is 33 years old and has been boxing professionally for seven years.
She is currently at a crossroads in her career between two different martial arts disciplines.
“Boxing is still my number one love,” Marshall said, “We'll have to wait and see what happens on June 8th. It could be, 'Wow, this is me now, we're going to go all in on this,' or it could be, 'Oh, this isn't for me.'
“It wasn't a financially lucrative opportunity. It was just a chance to try something new. Don't get me wrong, PFL has looked after me. It's just that the opportunities have come from there. I think MMA is bigger than boxing globally. It's sad, but I really do…the opportunities are bigger.”
Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter. He is also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the Mixed Martial Arts Journalists Association. He can be reached at @ManoukAkopyan on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube, or by email at manouk.[dot]Acopian[at]You can contact us at gmail.com or www.ManoukAkopyan.com
