New York played host to a closely contested super-middleweight bout as Shadasia Green emerged victorious over a returning Savannah Marshall, securing a split decision win after ten hard-fought rounds. This clash marked Marshall`s comeback to the boxing ring following a two-year hiatus that included exploring opportunities in mixed martial arts, and Green certainly did not provide a gentle re-entry.
The Technical Tango Unfolds
The early rounds were characterized by a somewhat untidy affair. Both fighters appeared eager but struggled to find clean striking opportunities, often resulting in clinches and mauling rather than fluid exchanges. In Marshall`s corner, veteran trainer Jon Pegg urged the Briton to double up her jab, emphasizing the need for volume over single shots, perhaps recognizing the need to control distance and rhythm against the powerful Green.
The contest saw its share of interventions from referee Thomas Taylor. Marshall received a caution for perceived rabbit punching, while Green was repeatedly warned for excessive holding. This tactical holding became a point of contention, eventually leading to a point deduction for Green in the fourth round. The crowd voiced their displeasure at the penalty, and ringside analyst Andre Ward, himself no stranger to close-quarter engagements, publicly questioned whether Green`s holding was truly excessive enough to warrant the deduction. A technical disagreement, perhaps, but it certainly added a layer of drama to the unfolding bout.
Momentum Swings and Power Shots
Despite the warnings and the point deduction, Green began to find her stride. In the fifth round, she landed a significant shot – a cuffing right hand around Marshall’s ear – that visibly troubled the returning fighter. To her credit, Marshall displayed grit, responding with some holding of her own to recover and see out the difficult moments, proving that sometimes, survival requires temporary technical infringements.
As the fight progressed into the later rounds, particularly from the eighth onward, the momentum appeared to shift definitively. Green started consistently landing her jab, establishing range and rhythm. Crucially, she also began effectively counter-punching as Marshall, perhaps feeling the effects of the long layoff and the pace, began to tire and fall into range. The technical adjustment from Green seemingly paid dividends, tightening the scores on the judges` cards heading into the final two rounds.
The Verdict and Reactions
After ten rounds of back-and-forth action, the decision went to the scorecards, reflecting the competitive nature of the fight. Judge Tom Shreck scored the bout 95-94 in favor of Green, a narrow margin indicating a very close fight. Judge Martha Tremblay saw it slightly wider for Green at 96-93. The lone dissenting voice came from judge Max DeLuca, who scored it 96-93 for Marshall. The split decision confirmed Shadasia Green as the victor.
Now boasting a professional record of 16 wins (11 by knockout) and just 1 loss, an emotional Green spoke post-fight about her long journey in the sport, a 20-year commitment culminating in this significant win. A gracious Savannah Marshall, whose record now stands at 13 wins (10 by knockout) and 2 losses, acknowledged Green`s punching power and, with a hint of understandable frustration after a tough return bout decided by split scores, commented, “All I wanted was a fair fight, come on!” Regardless of perspective, the night belonged to Shadasia Green, who delivered a stern welcome back to New York for Savannah Marshall and firmly established herself in the super-middleweight picture.
Tristan Blackwood