Boxing World Champion Savannah Marshall will make her professional MMA debut in front of a North East crowd as the PFL descend on Newcastle on Saturday June 8.
The IBF, WBA, and WBO Super Middleweight champion will headline the card that is set for the Utilita Arena, in what will mark PFL's second trip to the North East in as many years.
Previewing Marshall's debut, PFL CEO Peter Murray hinted at the possibility of Marshall meeting boxing foe, Claressa Shields, in the Smart Cage.“The Professional Fighters League prides itself on having the best athletes in the world on its roster and on June 8, PFL welcomes boxing world champion and combat sports Icon Savannah Marshall to the SmartCage for her MMA debut, where she will compete in front of her hometown fans in Newcastle,”
“Savannah and Claressa Shields competed in one of the most-watched women’s boxing matchups in history when they first fought, and now with Savannah’s MMA debut, the two are on a collision course for a rematch wearing four ounce gloves and settling the score in the PFL SmartCage."
There is certainly no love lost between the two. Marshall was the only women ever to beat Shields in the amateur boxing, so the debate between the two was highly heated as they were to meet again in the professional ranks in 2022. This time, it was Shields who would leave with her hand raised, after an exciting 10 round affair.
At the time of writing, no opponent has yet been named for Marshall.Per the announcement, Marshall will make her MMA debut in a Lightweight contest, meaning she will need to tip the scales at no more than 156lbs.
The 31-year-old has been training at Aspinall BJJ, surrounding herself with some of the top British talent on the scene, including the likes of Mick Parkin and UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall.
It was also confirmed that the Newcastle card will play host to the opening rounds of the Bantamweight and the Women's Flyweight PFL Europe tournaments.
The fight night follows on from an extremely successful card in Paris to kick off the promotion's 2024 European season.
As it stands, Marshall is the only name officially confirmed for the June 8 card, with the promotion announcing that more athletes will be added to the card in due course.
