Savannah Marshall vs Crews

Savannah Marshall became undisputed super-middleweight champion with a narrow decision win over Franchon Crews-Dezurn on Saturday. Two of the judges in Manchester scored the bout for Marshall, while

Savannah Marshall became undisputed super-middleweight champion with a narrow decision win over Franchon Crews-Dezurn on Saturday.

Two of the judges in Manchester scored the bout for Marshall, while the other had the main event as a draw – enough for the Briton to take all the major belts from Crews-Dezurn.

Marshall entered the fight on the back of a points defeat by Claressa Shields in October – the first professional loss of the 32-year-old’s career, and a result with which Marshall lost the WBO middleweight title as her rival became undisputed in the division. But Marshall got back on track on Saturday, moving up in weight and reaping the rewards as she overcame a tough start to beat a tricky, physical opponent at the AO Arena.

Re-live updates from the main-event fight, and its undercard, below.

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Marshall def. Crews-Dezurn via majority decision (95-95, 99-92, 97-93)

Briton takes undisputed super-middleweight titles from American in Manchester

Marshall bounces back from her first pro loss – a defeat by Claressa Shields

New champion calls for Shields rematch as rival watches on from ringside

23:52 , Alex Pattle

Read our full main-event report, right here:

Savannah Marshall wins scrappy clash with Franchon Crews-Dezurn for undisputed gold

23:33 , Alex Pattle

Marshall suggests that it would be good to do the rematch with Crews-Dezurn at super-middleweight, rather than at middleweight where their first fight was contested.

Promoter Ben Shalom also calls for the rematch to take place at super-middle.

23:30 , Alex Pattle

23:28 , Alex Pattle

Savannah Marshall def. Franchon Crews-Dezurn via majority decision (95-95, 99-92, 97-93).

AND NEW! Marshall does in fact get it done! She takes the undisputed super-middleweight titles from Crews-Dezurn!

Indy Sport agrees with that first scorecard, but either way, it was a great effort from Marshall amid some tricky opposition from the American!

23:25 , Alex Pattle

Round 10

A lot of holding in the final round! We’ll go to the judges’ scorecards.

23:23 , Alex Pattle

Round 9

Marshall lands a series of clean shots, and the Manchester crowd voices its appreciation of her work!

Marshall with some solid left hooks to the body now! Another fine round from the Briton.

Indy Sport now has Crews-Dezurn 5-4 up in terms of rounds (86-85 on points), with one round left...

23:19 , Alex Pattle

Round 8

Three rounds to go!

An uppercut is on point for Crews-Dezurn, but Marshall replies with some good work of her own on the inside.

The referee now calls a timeout for excessive holding from both men.

We’re back under way, and Marshall lands a nice right cross to the head before targeting the body with hooks!

That’s a decent round from Marshall. Indy Sport, however, has Crews-Dezurn 5-3 up, meaning Marshall would need to win these last two rounds for a draw.

Maybe we’re being harsh on the challenger, though; this one could be even, or even slightly in Marshall’s favour. We’ll soon find out, unless there’s a finish...

23:16 , Alex Pattle

Round 7

Marshall’s accuracy is improving. She buries a left uppercut into the midriff of Crews-Dezurn.

Shields can be heard shouting advice to Crews-Dezurn from ringside!

A sloppy exchange here, but Marshall does get through with a left hook up top!

23:12 , Alex Pattle

Round 6

Per Sky, the viewers at home have Marshall four rounds ahead. Claressa Shields, at ringside, had Crews-Dezurn 3-0 up after three rounds... Indy Sport has Crews-Dezurn leading by three rounds to two.

Marshall with a good spell, but Crews-Dezurn retaliates with a left hook to the body. Marshall then ducks onto a left hook to the head.

Both women land clean punches upstairs now!

23:10 , Alex Pattle

Round 5

I always say it, but these two-minute rounds fly by. We’re nearly halfway through this fight already.

Marshall just about connects with a right cross, but Crews-Dezurn replies with a hard left hook to the mid-section!

Crews-Dezurn hits the canvas, but again it’s the result of some grappling – rather than a knockdown!

A short right hook lands for Marshall, after Crews-Dezurn makes it back to her feet. The crowd roars.

23:07 , Alex Pattle

Round 4

Great uppercut from Marshall after a jab feint! But Crews-Dezurn eats it, wow!

More grappling... A scrappy exchange ensues, as both women miss with wild punches, and Marshall tumbles off-balance to the mat.

She’s back on her feet and clinching the champion. She creates enough space to land a clean one-two, though, which the crowd loves!

Crews-Dezurn with a powerful left hook now, however! Marshall with an uppercut! This fight is starting to heat up...

23:03 , Alex Pattle

Round 3

Marshall walks onto a jab but unloads a couple of hooks at the same time.

Crews-Dezurn with heavy body hooks in close. The women clinch now.

They separate, and Marshall starts to get through with some jabs. The fighters then grapple, with Marshall falling to the mat. No knockdown.

The Hartlepool fighter is back on her feet, and Crews-Dezurn holds her again. The American is doing the better work on the inside; she seems to have a strength advantage.

23:01 , Alex Pattle

Round 2

The women clinch in close at the start of this second round. Crews-Dezurn is on target with a hook and a chopping right hand as Marshall crouches.

Again the crowd sings Marshall’s name, and she gets going with some well-timed jabs, moving her head well in between those shots to evade her opponent’s counter attempts.

Crews-Dezurn with a nice left hook to the body, then Marshall fires back with an overhand right!

A better round for Marshall.

22:58 , Alex Pattle

Round 1

Ten two-minute rounds to come – unless there is a stoppage. Both women stand orthodox.

Crews-Dezurn closes range quickly, looking to get after Marshall. The American flicks out a couple of jabs then tries for a series of hooks, but the taller Marshall’s head movement keeps her safe.

“Ohhhh, Savannah Marshall!” rings around the AO Arena.

Marshall misses with a big overhand right attempt. She then barely misses with a right hook and is tagged by a jab.

Both women land hooks in close! An overhand right catches Marshall, too!

A fun first round, which will likely go the champion’s way.

22:54 , Alex Pattle

Here we are then! The undisputed super-middleweight titles are on the line!

Let’s gooooo!

22:53 , Alex Pattle

A great reception for Marshall as the fighter introductions begin.

22:51 , Alex Pattle

22:50 , Alex Pattle

We told you Crews-Dezurn can sing! She’s belting out the USA’s national anthem (to the sound of boos at Manchester’s AO Arena...).

22:46 , Alex Pattle

Marshall’s professional record stands at 12-1 (10 knockouts), while Crews-Dezurn is 8-1 (2 KOs) as a pro.

22:45 , Alex Pattle

Now here comes Crews-Dezurn!

22:41 , Alex Pattle

Marshall is making her way to the ring! Main-event time!

22:38 , Alex Pattle

Crews-Dezurn is not only a skilled boxer but also a capable singer, and a fashion designer!

Multi-talented, is the “Heavy-Hitting Diva”.

22:34 , Alex Pattle

Marshall, 32, was unbeaten until she suffered a decision loss to Claressa Shields in October.

With that result, American Shields took the WBO middleweight title from the Briton and became undisputed in the division.

Now, Marshall gets another shot at becoming undisputed, as she challenges Crews-Dezurn – a friend and compatriot of Shields – for her super-middleweight belts.

Like Marshall, 36-year-old Crews-Dezurn suffered the only loss of her pro career against Shields, back in 2016.

22:30 , Alex Pattle

Next up, it’s the main event!

Former middleweight champion Savannah Marshall challenges Franchon Crews-Derzurn for the undisputed titles at super-middleweight.

22:30 , Alex Pattle

Belujsky is frustrated, and to be fair to him, he was lucid. Perhaps that was a slightly early stoppage.

Ben Whittaker def. Vladimir Belujsky via eighth-round TKO (1:49).

Before we get to the main event, here’s a look back at our exclusive interview with Whittaker from earlier this week:

Ben Whittaker on his life-changing moment: ‘I was bleeding and crying’

22:28 , Alex Pattle

22:27 , Alex Pattle

Round 8

Final round! Whittaker skips to the centre of the ring to meet Belujsky.

Belujsky keeps fighting, snapping a few jabs out at his taller opponent.

Hard left hooks by Whittaker now; that’s been his most effective shot over the last couple of rounds.

Eventually Belujsky starts to wobble after a right hand! He shakes his head at Whittaker, but he is hurt!

He holds the Briton, but the pair soon separate... and – amid more offence from Whittaker – the referee waves this one off!

Whittaker with a TKO win in the final round!

22:23 , Alex Pattle

Round 7

Penultimate round. Whittaker with a jab, right uppercut and left hook. Nice stuff.

Pawing jabs from the Briton now, before he gets back to some more combination punching.

22:20 , Alex Pattle

Backstage, Marshall and Crews-Dezurn are warming up.

22:19 , Alex Pattle

Round 6

Three rounds to go, including this one.

Whittaker backs up Belujsky at once. He feints slow shots, trying to tease some offence out of Belujsky, who refuses to oblige.

Whittaker therefore opens up somewhat, with prying uppercuts as Belujsky shells up.

22:16 , Alex Pattle

Round 5

A slower round ensues. Belujsky hops into a decent left hook, but Whittaker is unfazed.

Whittaker with a good flurry late in the round, and Belujsky comes back with a laboured series of shots.

Whittaker seems to mock the Slovak’s efforts, before the bell rings.

22:11 , Alex Pattle

Round 4

A stubborn Belujsky is still in this, as the light-heavyweights approach the midway point of this fight.

He’s staggered by a left hook but comes right back at Whittaker!

Whittaker doesn’t take that lying down, reversing the momentum and unloading shots on Belujsky as the Slovak covers up.

22:08 , Alex Pattle

22:07 , Alex Pattle

Round 3

Whittaker batters Belujsky with four spiteful right hooks in a row! Belujsky blocks them but feels the effects anyway, collapsing to the mat.

The Slovak beats the referee’s count, but he’s soon under attack again! Once more, Whittaker is going to work with his right hand. Bad intentions from the Briton.

He just misses with a wide right hand, then burrows a left hook into the midriff of Belujsky.

22:03 , Alex Pattle

Round 2

Whittaker flicks out a few jabs, piercing Belujsky’s guard with one of them.

A right hook is on point for the Olympic medalist now. More dancing from him.

Whittaker evades a right overhand and digs a left hook into the body of Belujsky.

Belujsky with a solid jab now, jolting back Whittaker’s head somewhat. Whittaker is caught with another one, then retaliates with a swift flurry of straight shots.

21:59 , Alex Pattle

Round 1

Whittaker wobbles Belujsky early!

The Slovak stumbles into the corner, then he’s rocked again by a short left hook!

Whittaker patiently presses forward, throwing a couple of straight shots, evading Belujsky’s, then dancing in front of him!

Whittaker does the same again, then motions to the crowd to make some noise, with Belujsky right in front of him!

More dancing from Whittaker, who is slipping his opponent’s shots with ease. A jab to the body by Whittaker now.

Supreme confidence from the Briton.

21:56 , Alex Pattle

Here we go! Eight rounds scheduled at light-heavyweight.

21:54 , Alex Pattle

Whittaker (pro record: 3-0, 2 KOs) really gets the star treatment for his entrance.

He seems very relaxed, dancing his way into the ring.

21:47 , Alex Pattle

One more fight before the main event!

Ben Whittaker, a silver medalist for Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics, is in action against Vladimir Belujsky at light-heavyweight.

Here a snippet from our exclusive interview with Whittaker from this week:

“I got these brand new Reebok boots,” the 26-year-old recalls. “You couldn’t get them really, they were like limited edition – the ones that Amir Khan and Floyd Mayweather wore. I managed to source a pair, so I was like, ‘Ooo, nobody’s got these, let’s go to the gym and beat somebody up.’ So, I went and sparred this kid... and he completely battered me.”

“My nose was bleeding, I was crying a little bit as well,” he says. “I looked over at my dad, and he just shook his head, like: ‘What the hell are you doing?’ We drove home in complete silence, awkwardness. Ever since I felt that embarrassment, it kind of flipped the switch, like I never wanted to feel that again.”

Full interview:

Ben Whittaker on his life-changing moment: ‘I was bleeding and crying’

21:39 , Alex Pattle

Natasha Jonas def. Kandi Wyatt via eighth-round TKO (0:33).

21:37 , Alex Pattle

Round 8

The fight is waved off in the eighth round! Wyatt had taken enough damage without making a dent in Jonas, and the referee saw that.

21:35 , Alex Pattle

Round 7

Jonas with a well-timed jab then a right hook that wobbles Wyatt somewhat.

Wyatt, as you might have guessed, marches forward anyway! She’s stung by a clean left cross from Jonas, who now tries for some hooks.

21:33 , Alex Pattle

Round 6

Wyatt walks onto some shots early in Round 6. She seems to be bleeding from her nose, but – as ever – she’s undeterred.

Another fine uppercut from Jonas at the end of the round.

21:30 , Alex Pattle

Round 5

Wyatt presses forward. Decent head movement from Jonas to avoid a few straight shots.

A grazing right hook is on point for Jonas now. The former Olympian snaps out a jab next.

21:26 , Alex Pattle

Round 4

Jonas with a quickfire combination at once! A jab and left hook.

She snaps back Wyatt’s head with another jab then a jolting left cross. Again Wyatt walks down Jonas, who parries a couple of jabs.

A brutal counter left hand lands for Jonas! Somehow, Wyatt just eats it! That was the cleanest, hardest punch of the fight so far.

21:24 , Alex Pattle

Round 3

Jonas with a left hook to the body then a right hook to the head.

Wyatt gets through with a couple of straight shots, as Jonas backs up to the ropes.

Another clean hook is there for Jonas. The crowd liked that one!

Wyatt corners Jonas and tags her with a left straight from an orthodox stance.

21:20 , Alex Pattle

Round 2

So far, Jonas has largely been relying on wide hooks.

She lands a couple more, early in this second round. Wyatt, to her credit, comes forward anyway. She corners the former Olympian, but Jonas stays patient and eventually circles away.

Jonas’s output is reduced at the moment; I think her corner told her not to rush things.

A nice lead uppercut is on point for Jonas late in the round!

21:17 , Alex Pattle

Round 1

Jonas gets off to a lively start, springing into range with a southpaw cross!

She takes a shot to give one, but she’s undeterred! She keeps throwing, and she’s hurt Wyatt already!

Wyatt fires back, with her back against the ropes, but Jonas is landing almost at will!

There’s already some noticeable swelling around Wyatt’s eyes.

21:15 , Alex Pattle

A great reception for Jonas.

Ten two-minute rounds are scheduled.

Here we go!

21:11 , Alex Pattle

Tonight’s main event is a huge women’s title fight, but we’ve got another big women’s fight coming up next, too!

Natasha Jonas bids to become a two-weight world champion, taking on Kandi Wyatt for the vacant IBF welterweight title!

21:01 , Alex Pattle

“That was an awful performance, I’m sorry I was so s***,” Jeffers says, adding in a few more swear words to the dismay of all at Sky Sports, I’m sure!

He’s being harsh on himself. He was great, and picked up a big win.

20:58 , Alex Pattle

Mark Jeffers def. Zak Chelli via unanimous decision (97-94, 97-93, 97-94).

Jeffers upsets Chelli on short notice! Wow!

That’s the right call, as Indy Sport sees it. It was a mature, confident performance from the local lad.

20:54 , Alex Pattle

Tenth and final round! Chelli with a solid left hand early in this frame.

Now the London super-middleweight curves a right hook into the waist of Jeffers.

Both men take turns fighting on the front foot. One minute to go.

A lovely combination from Chelli, who mixes in hooks and uppercuts off both flanks, as Jeffers tries to create space to get away.

Chelli switches targets, too, keeping Jeffers guessing. Jeffers *may* be ahead, but he needs more in this round to be sure, you’d think...

A great fight. We’ll go to the scorecards!

20:50 , Alex Pattle

Penultimate round. The crowd tries to get behind Jeffers, cheering his every punch – those that land and those that miss.

Jeffers slides a right cross through Chelli’s guard, but the Londoner responds with a hard right hook.

Jeffers with some nimble footwork and accurate shots to end the round.

20:46 , Alex Pattle

Round 8. Jeffers’s corner believes he is out in front on the scorecards. It’s hard to hear what Chelli’s coach – his father – is saying.

Three rounds to go, including this one. Chelli overshoots with a right hand but cleverly catches Jeffers with a left hook, as the local tries to circle away.

More good work from Chelli! An uppercut sets up a series of hooks – some of which are blocked, but all of which will have been felt by Jeffers.

20:42 , Alex Pattle

Round 7. Effective work behind the jab from Chelli. The right cross is not quite there for him, though.

Chelli lands a hard right hand and taunts Jeffers, who retaliates with a heavy combination that has Chelli off balance and out of sorts momentarily!

20:38 , Alex Pattle

Jeffers with a step-in right cross to the ribs of Chelli, who returns fire with a jab to the midriff.

Jeffers leans on Chelli now, before the boxers separate and Jeffers lands a short right hook to the head.

He then throws a body shot, but Jeffers says it landed low.

Chelli hurls an overhand right at Jeffers in the final second of Round 6, but Jeffers blocks it.

20:34 , Alex Pattle

Jeffers walks down Chelli with his gloves high, trying to tease some shots out of his opponent.

Chelli fires back in a competitive spell. This has been entertaining through five rounds.

20:30 , Alex Pattle

Brilliant from Jeffers! He’s got Chelli on wobbly legs after landing a series of heavy shots to the head, but he’s also targeting the body, and Chelli is just trying to survive!

He’s winging shots with his head down. One gets through, though, tagging Jeffers to the body, but the local fires back and stuns Chelli again!

Jeffers corners the Londoner late in the round. Wow!

20:26 , Alex Pattle

Unless you were already aware, you wouldn’t think Jeffers was stepping in on two weeks’ notice. He’s fighting as if he was meant to be in there with Chelli all along.

Now Jeffers’s hands are low, and he’s stabbing sharp shots at Chelli. He looks very confident.

Chelli looks to reassert himself and gain some respect from Jeffers, coming forward with greater output now.

20:22 , Alex Pattle

Jeffers gets out on the front foot in Round 2, landing a decent right hand that forces Chelli to hold.

The pair separate, and Jeffers connects with a left now, before Chelli flicks out a double-jab.

More holding between the super-middleweights now. Chelli burrows a pair of right hooks into the mid-section of Jeffers.

20:18 , Alex Pattle

An interesting first round, with each man sizing up the other, trying to get a read on his opponent.

Chelli’s hands are low, while Jeffers is maintaining a high guard.

20:14 , Alex Pattle

Jeffers is unbeaten, while Londoner Chelli has one pro defeat to his name.

Here we go!

20:08 , Alex Pattle

Zak Chelli vs Mark Jeffers is up next at super-middleweight, with the latter – a local – stepping in on two weeks’ notice!

20:01 , Alex Pattle

Callum Simpson def. Boris Crighton via unanimous decision (99-92, 97-93, 99-91).

Simpson stays unbeaten, moving to 12-0!

19:58 , Alex Pattle

Final round! Crighton hurts Simpson with a big right hand!

Simpson is hanging on now, but Crighton may not realise how effective that shot was!

Simpson is able to regather his senses, and ultimately he gets back on the front foot.

Both men land clean right hands late in the final throws of the fight!

19:54 , Alex Pattle

Simpson gets SO close to securing a finish! He arguably gets a bit over-eager, though, failing to give himself enough room to work, with Crighton in dire straits against the ropes!

Crighton makes it to the final round.

19:51 , Alex Pattle

Round 8 of 10. Simpson hangs around, just out of range, waiting for a counter punch.

He eventually closes range and slings some right crosses at Crighton, who slips one and lands a flush, lead uppercut!

Simpson rallies to end the round on top, then the referee drags him back to his corner after the super-middleweights go forehead to forehead. A tense moment...

19:46 , Alex Pattle

Another spell of oppressive output from Simpson! He mixes up his offence, targeting the body and head of Crighton, who leans on the ropes and tries to survive.

Yet again, he manages to do so... It looks like he may just be too resilient for Simpson to get him out of there tonight.

19:42 , Alex Pattle

More of the same in Round 6, as we cross the halfway mark of the fight; Crighton has his moments, but Simpson is getting the better of the exchanges.

Simpson is warned by the referee at the end of the round, after some apparent shots to the back of Crighton’s head.

19:38 , Alex Pattle

A wonderful right and left hook combination stuns Crighton, who almost looks out on his feet for a moment!

Simpson follows up with more hooks, seeking a finish in Round 5... but again Crighton gathers his senses, and he finishes the round in strong fashion!

A fun contest so far.

19:33 , Alex Pattle

Simpson has Crighton backed up against the ropes in Round 4, and he’s letting his hands go!

Crighton is trying to roll with these shots, and he’s doing a good job at staying composed.

19:30 , Alex Pattle

A better round for Crighton, who goes to the well with his right overhand, with a decent amount of success!

19:25 , Alex Pattle

There’s a lot of holding in Round 2, with Crighton looking frustrated but trying to stay calm.

Simpson has the best spell of the round, nearly dropping Crighton with a flurry by the ropes.

19:22 , Alex Pattle

It’s an encouraging first round for Simpson, who lands the cleaner shots and corners Crighton on more than one occasion.

19:17 , Alex Pattle

Here we go, Simpson vs Crighton is about to begin!

19:09 , Alex Pattle

A super-middleweight clash between Callum Simpson and Boris Crighton is due to kick off the main card very shortly.

19:07 , Alex Pattle

Earlier this evening, April Hunter was a decision winner against Kirstie Bavington.

It marked a first victory of the night for coach Peter Fury, who also trains Marshall...

19:01 , Alex Pattle

The main card should begin any moment now! Another big night in women’s boxing – in boxing full stop, in fact.

18:54 , Alex Pattle

One of the key fighters to keep an eye on this evening is Ben Whittaker, who continues his budding pro career, which was preceded by his Olympic silver-medal win for Team GB at Tokyo 2020 (2021).

Here’s a snippet from The Independent’s exclusive interview with the 26-year-old this week:

If you were to walk a mile in Ben Whittaker’s shoes, there would be a very specific stretch of terrain that you would want to tread. The shoes would be comfortable, and although the path would be treacherous, the learnings would be enlightening.

There is a colloquialism, ‘All the gear, no idea,’ but it was at this moment that Whittaker was struck by the most important idea he had ever encountered.

Full interview:

Ben Whittaker on his life-changing moment: ‘I was bleeding and crying’

18:47 , Alex Pattle

In the aftermath of Marshall’s last fight – a decision loss to Claressa Shields – promoter Ben Shalom told The Independent: “Ticketmaster reported 35 per cent of the sales were female, as opposed to less than 5 per cent on a normal men’s boxing event. It was a better crowd, it seemed more inclusive, it seemed like the sport had taken a step forward.”

The entire card comprised female-only fights, and its 2 million viewers made it the most-watched women’s sporting event in Sky Sports history

“Representation is everything,” Shields told The Independent at the time. “If I had a Claressa Shields growing up, of course I would have been better. I would know the game and wouldn’t have to work as hard. I’m creating a blueprint for women on how to become a world champion, how to captivate a crowd, but God chose me to be as great as I can; I am the greatest woman of all time.”

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Savannah Marshall vs Crews