Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall put on a fight worthy of the sport’s biggest stage as they rounded off a historic night at the O2 Arena.

It had been ten years in the making, but finally the verbal sparring was binned, and boxing shone brightest in a month where the sport has taken its own barrage of punches.

Claressa danced her way to the ring serenaded by boos, but oozing the confidence that has carried her to 12 world title belts across three weight divisions. Savannah is a different character, her laser focus there for all to see. She would soon ditch any showmanship for an extra edge in the ring.

As the first bell rang, a bubbling O2 was ready to see how these long-term rivals would finally approach each other now the barriers were down.

The first two minutes saw Claressa take the early initiative. Many an expert expected Savannah to perhaps lose early rounds, and that she did. If the first was banked by way of work rate, then the second was banked by pure boxing ability.

Savannah tried to make her mark but was caught by rapid counters. Claressa was content with being pushed back knowing that she could still navigate her way through Savannah’s defence.

Claressa did require one hell of an engine, as Savannah would not let up with the pressure. However, Savannah’s face was becoming visibly marked. She was susceptible to the occasional swinging hook but seemed to shake them off without too much bother.

Both women exchanged huge shots almost concurrently in the fifth, and Shields had damage over her right eye.

But it didn’t hinder her assault on Savannah. The relentless tempo continued, and she began to land at will. Punches came in flurries and although Savannah’s chin was holding up, she knew she needed more to deter Claressa.

Peter Fury rallied Savannah in the corner as we approached round nine but despite her swinging for the hills, it wasn’t enough. She just couldn’t land that shot that she had promised.

The bell rang, and it was clear that the undisputed tag belonged to Claressa Shields.

The scorecards did read accurately in Claressa’s favour and even Savannah done little to argue her case for a win. 96-94 x2 & 97-93 meant that the ‘GWOAT’ now had good reason to stand by her self-proclaimed alias as the queen of the female scene.

Despite the pre-fight hostilities, both women acknowledged one another’s skills in a show of respect that in the week seemed incomprehensible. It was the picture-perfect end to a fantastic fight.  

As for the women’s game, well it is thriving. It was just under six months ago that Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano sold out Madison Square Garden and produced what is arguably the best female fight in the sport’s history.

Then on Saturday night, 3500 miles away, the female game delivered us another scorcher, in another sold out arena, with another undisputed tag. This is how boxing should be done.

It wouldn’t be right to write this without acknowledging the strides made in the last five or so years. Yet in some ways, I think the girls themselves may be getting tired of hearing such. It isn’t new anymore, it isn’t fresh, these talented females are a staple of any top card across Britain and it will continue to be that way.

And, if it delivers more fights like the one between Claressa and Savannah, then we’re in for tons of special nights.

Oscar Bevis