Savannah Marshall and Claressa Shields are poised to reignite their storied rivalry in an unprecedented two-fight series that spans both boxing and MMA.

A Decade-Long Rivalry

Their history dates back to their amateur days when Marshall handed Shields her first and only defeat in the ring. A decade later, Shields avenged that loss by winning their undisputed mega-fight at the O2 Arena. Now, the stage is set for these two champions to clash once more, but this time in the cage.

Transition to MMA

Both fighters have signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and are building towards a blockbuster bout in MMA. PFL CEO Peter Murray expressed his excitement over the potential matchup:

"Both of these athletes are champions and highly committed to staying at the top of the game in boxing while developing as MMA pro athletes and fighters."

Shields, who is 2-1 in the cage, most recently defeated Kelsey DeSantis in Saudi Arabia in February. Meanwhile, Marshall is set to make her PFL and MMA debut this Saturday in a homecoming fight in Newcastle against Mirela Vargas.

Paving the Way for Future Fighters

The inclusion of seven-weight boxing champion Amanda Serrano, who has also signed with the PFL and boasts a record of two wins and one MMA draw, adds another layer of excitement to this new era of combat sports. Murray believes that these women are trailblazers:

"With Claressa, Savannah, Amanda, the greatest women in boxing today turning to MMA to the PFL to take on this sport, I think it’s incredibly bold and very exciting to watch."

Anticipation Builds

The anticipation for this historic showdown is palpable. Fans are eager to see how these boxing legends will adapt to the cage and whether their rivalry will reach new heights in the world of MMA. The PFL promises to coordinate and stage this fight, with details on the date and venue to be announced soon. Stay tuned for what promises to be an electrifying series of encounters between two of the most formidable women in combat sports.

Editor: Emiliia Morozova