Boxing champ Marshall sets MMA debut for June

Savannah Marshall, the women’s super middleweight boxing champion, will make her MMA debut June 8 at PFL Europe Newcastle in England, the promotion announced Tuesday.

Marshall, 32, of England, won all four belts at 168 pounds with a majority-decision victory over Franchon Crews Dezurn in July. That was Marshall’s first fight since her only career defeat, a decision loss to Claressa Shields in October 2022.

Marshall (13-1, 10 KOs) is ESPN’s No. 7 pound-for-pound women’s boxer.

“Savannah and Claressa Shields competed in one of the most-watched women’s boxing matchups in history when they first fought,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray, “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.”

Marshall will compete at lightweight in the PFL. Shields, who is 2-1 with one finish in MMA, made her PFL debut in June 2021 with a victory before she suffered a decision setback that October.

Shields returned to MMA with a victory over Kelsey DeSantis at PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions in February in Saudi Arabia.