Savannah Marshall and Claressa Shields could end up raising the stakes even further for their highly-anticipated rematch after both signed with MMA's No.2 promotion PFL.
The Brit lost their initial fight at a sold out O2 Arena in London, but has returned to winning ways in pursuit of another shot at Shields and is the current undisputed super-middleweight champion. However, it appears that the pair are going to instead aim to fight in the cage, with promotional CEO Peter Murray telling Mirror Fighting that plans are in place for a 2025 event.
Shields is already 1-1 in the cage, while Marshall will make her debut early next year, likely with a homecoming in Newcastle. They will both be given the year to defend their boxing belts while learning the craft and competing in MMA, before eventually facing off in the smart cage.
Marshall and Shields were in New York City to promote the signing this week, facing off inside the cage before answering questions in an awkward media scrum. Their rivalry is still clearly as heated as ever, with the American travelling to watch Marshall's win over Franchon Crews-Dezurn in Manchester earlier this year.
“I am thrilled to begin my journey in MMA with The Professional Fighters League,” Marshall said upon the announcement. “I am proud to join the most talented female combat sports athletes in the world and continue to raise the profile of women in sports through PFLW.”
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She also noted that Shields was the motivation behind the move, adding: "100 per cent I've been in talks with PFL for quite a while now so I couldn't get the rematch in the ring and now I want to get it on in the Smart Cage."
Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall (Top Rank via Getty Images)Who do you think wins in the cage between Savannah Marshall and Claressa Shields? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
Shields insists that the boxing rematch still could happen, noting that it "doesn't really matter" which discipline they compete in given their history. Marshall famously handed Shields her last ring defeat back in the amateurs, while the Brit has only lost to her rival in the paid ranks.
"I already beat her in boxing," Shields insisted. "I never turned down a rematch with her but it would be a great fight to happen in the cage. Right now I do have the ups on her I've been doing MMA for a year and a half or two years and I'm pretty good at it, 1-1 but I think I should be 2-0.
"At the end of the day I know how hard it is, she doesn't know yet but with her training she'll see and maybe she'll have more respect for how I did it."
PFL returns to the Theatre in Madison Square Garden tonight live on DAZN with the lightweight and welterweight playoffs. UK Viewers can tune in from 11pm.
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