Marshall's Back From Her MMA Adventure - And She Wants Her Belt

By Lewis Barnett 10 July, 2025 5 mins read 273 Views

Two years. That's how long Savannah Marshall has been away from boxing, and honestly? It feels like a lifetime in fight years.

The Brit is finally stepping back into the ring this Friday to face Shadasia Green, and I'm not gonna lie - there's something delicious about the drama here. Green's got Marshall's old WBO belt (well, technically it was vacant when she won it, but we'll get to that mess in a minute). Marshall's been off playing MMA at Tom Aspinall's gym like some kind of combat sports tourist. And now she's back, probably a little rusty, definitely hungry.

This whole thing is happening on Netflix's massive all-women card with Taylor vs Serrano headlining. Which, by the way, is pretty cool when you think about it.

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The Weird Timeline That Got Us Here

So here's where it gets interesting. Marshall lost to Claressa Shields back in 2022 - that middleweight title fight that everyone remembers. Instead of sulking, she moved up to super-middleweight and grabbed the IBF, WBC, and WBO titles. Smart move, right?

Then 2024 happened. Marshall decided boxing wasn't enough excitement for one lifetime and started training MMA. Had her first Professional Fighters League bout just months later. Bold? Absolutely. Risky for her boxing career? You bet.

But here's the kicker - while she was busy learning how to grapple, she went inactive long enough to lose her WBO title. The belt went vacant, and guess who snatched it up? Shadasia Green, with a split-decision win over Melinda Watpool last year.

Now Marshall's 34, coming off a two-year layoff, and she wants her stuff back.

Green's Not Just Keeping the Seat Warm

Shadasia Green is 35 and she's tasted gold now. That changes a fighter, you know? She's not just some placeholder champion - she earned that WBO belt fair and square when it was up for grabs.

And with Marshall's IBF title also on the line Friday night, Green's got a real shot at becoming a bigger name in the division. That's dangerous motivation right there.

When and Where You Can Watch This Mess Unfold

Friday, July 11th at Madison Square Garden. Ring-walks for the main event start around 4am BST (11pm ET if you're stateside). The main card coverage kicks off at 1am BST / 8pm ET.

Fair warning though - these timings always shift depending on how long the undercard drags on. You know how it is.

The whole thing's streaming live on Netflix, which is honestly pretty wild. No extra cost if you've already got a subscription. If you don't, packages start at £5.99 / $7.99 monthly. Netflix's reach is insane compared to traditional sports broadcasters, so these fighters are getting massive exposure.

Tickets? Good Luck With That

Limited tickets are still floating around on Ticketmaster. Secondary market's got options on StubHub too, but you know how that goes - expect to pay through the nose.

The Full Lineup (It's Actually Stacked)

This card is loaded with title fights:

Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano for the undisputed women's junior welterweight championship tops the bill. Then you've got Alycia Baumgardner vs Jennifer Miranda for multiple super-featherweight titles, our Marshall vs Green super-middleweight clash, Ellie Scotney vs Yamileth Mercado for super-bantamweight gold, and Cherneka Johnson vs Shuretta Metcalf for bantamweight titles.

Plus Tamm Thibeault vs Mary Casamassa and Ramla Ali vs Lita Furtado rounding things out.

Marshall's Got Something to Say (Obviously)

Marshall's not exactly being diplomatic about this whole situation. She told SunSport that she and Green were supposed to fight ages ago, and now it's happening on this massive Netflix platform that "blows Sky and TNT out of the water."

But here's the quote that really caught my attention: "She's got my belt. It's not really hers, is it? She's not really a world champion because she didn't beat the champion. You can't really call yourself a world champion, you never boxed a champion."

Ouch. That's some serious shade, and honestly? I get why Marshall feels that way, even if it's technically unfair to Green.

This Friday's gonna be interesting. Marshall's coming back from her MMA detour, Green's defending her legitimacy, and Netflix is broadcasting the whole thing to millions of people who might be watching women's boxing for the first time.

No pressure or anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I start boxing at any age?

As long as you have a good medical condition and clearance from your doctor, yes you can begin to box at any age. Boxing adapts to all fitness levels and age groups.

What are the common mistakes new boxers make?

Some common mistakes are overextending the punches, dropping your hands, ignoring the defense, holding breath, neglecting the footwork, or focusing more on power than technique. A coach who is qualified can help you to identify these mistakes early and correct them before they become habits.

Can boxing improve mental well-being?

Boxing improves mental health in many ways. It reduces stress, boosts mood, increases self-esteem, promotes discipline, and provides a sense accomplishment. The focus required during training can also serve as a form of meditation, helping to clear the mind and improve concentration.

Statistics

Approximately 50% of beginner boxers drop out within the first six months, highlighting the importance of sustaining motivation and setting realistic goals.
On average, beginner boxers improve their punching power by 10%-20% after six months of consistent training.
It is estimated that 60% of beginner boxers do not use the correct size gloves, which can increase the risk of injury.
Women are joining boxing in increasing numbers, rising by about 15% in the past decade, indicating growing gender diversity in the sport.
On average, beginners who undergo proper boxing training can expect to burn anywhere from 300 to 500 calories per hour.
About 25% of people who take up boxing transition to competitive amateur boxing within their first two years of training.
An analysis of boxing workouts demonstrates that participants can maintain a heart rate at 75-85% of their maximum, which is the optimal range for cardiovascular training.
Research indicates that nearly 70% of punches thrown by boxers during a match are jabs.
Boxing has one of the lowest rates of injury compared to other contact sports, with approximately 1.1 injuries per 1,000 minutes of athletics.
Roughly 75% of beginners do not employ adequate defensive tactics in their first sparring sessions.

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How To

How to Develop Speed and Power in Boxing

Boxing speed and force can be developed by combining explosive exercises with strength training and technique. Practice punching drills with a focus on snap and quick retraction. Incorporate plyometric workouts, such as jump squats and burpees, to enhance explosive power. Strength training is important; focus on compound movements such as squats and deadlifts.