Postpublished at 22:58 British Summer Time 1 July 2023
Crews-Dezurn v Marshall
Caroline Dubois
Olympian and pro boxer
It was a very cagey start from Savannah Marshall.
Summary
Savannah Marshall beats Franchon Crews-Dezurn to become undisputed super-middleweight champion
Briton comes out on top in majority decision win with judges scoring it 95-95, 95-92 & 97-93
Marshall becomes England's second undisputed champion after Chantelle Cameron
Claressa Shields watches from ringside as her old rival bounces back from defeat
Natasha Jonas destroys Kandi Wyatt to become two-weight world champion
The unified light-middleweight champion adds IBF welterweight title to rapidly growing collection
Jonas, 39, dominated eight rounds, hurting Wyatt several times before referee stopped contest
Postpublished at 22:58 British Summer Time 1 July 2023
Round onepublished at 22:56 British Summer Time 1 July 2023
Crews-Dezurn v Marshall
Crews-Dezurn apllies the pressure during the opening two minutes.
It's quite a scrappy round as Marshall tries to keep the range but Crews-Dezurn bridges the gap well.
'I will handle business after'published at 22:52 British Summer Time 1 July 2023
Claressa Shields
Two-weight undisputed world champion on Sky SportsWhatever happens after the fight when they declare who the winner is then I will go into business mode. I am not here to belittle anybody, I am here to support women's boxing.
I am also here to support Franchon Crews-Dezurn and I will handle business after.
Postpublished at 22:50 British Summer Time 1 July 2023
Crews-Dezurn v Marshall
Caroline Dubois
Olympian and pro boxerSavannah Marshall needs to come out and not respect Franchon Crews-Dezurn and really cement herself in these first few rounds.
Postpublished at 22:49 British Summer Time 1 July 2023
It's time for the national anthems.
After a rendition of God Save the King, Franchon Crews-Dezurn is taking us through The Star-Spangled Banner.
That's a bold move before an undisputed world title defence!
Image source, BoxxerHead-to-headpublished at 22:47 British Summer Time 1 July 2023
Born to Brawl: Savannah Marshallpublished at 22:47 British Summer Time 1 July 2023
Media caption, Savannah Marshall
From struggling with social anxiety to signing with Team Mayweather, Savannah Marshall has a great story to tell.
Her episode of Born To Brawl documents how she turned her career around and climbed to the top of the sport.
Postpublished at 22:46 British Summer Time 1 July 2023
Now it's the turn of undisputed super-middleweight champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn.
A bold outfit choice but we shouldn't be too surprised by that... she is a fashion designer.
Wearing red sunglasses and a tassled cape, she takes her time to make the short trip down the ramp.
Image source, BoxxerPostpublished at 22:44 British Summer Time 1 July 2023
We've just seen a video on the big screen with some of Savannah Marshall's career highlights and now she's heading down the ramp and into the ring.
'Sweet Dreams' by the Eurythmics is the song of choice.
'Pair trade verbal blows in heated news conference'published at 22:40 British Summer Time 1 July 2023
Media caption, Franchon Crews-Dezurn v Savannah Marshall: Pair exchange taunts in heated press conference
If Thursday's press conference is anything to go by then we should be in for fireworks when undisputed super-middleweight champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn and Savannah Marshall step into the ring tonight.
Is Marshall still motivated?published at 22:39 British Summer Time 1 July 2023
Kal Sajad
BBC Sport at AO Arena, ManchesterSo much is made of protecting an unbeaten record. Marshall was outclassed by Claressa Shields at London’s O2 Arena in October, but there is little shame in losing to arguably the greatest female boxer in history.
Having said that, we’ve also seen how badly a loss can impact a boxer. When the Shields rematch could not be made, Marshall considered retirement. Tonight we will get answers on whether the motivation is still there.
Image source, Getty ImagesWho is Franchon Crews-Dezurn?published at 22:38 British Summer Time 1 July 2023
Image source, Getty ImagesFranchon Crews-Dezurn isn't your typical world champion.
The 36-year-old turned professional in November 2016 when she fell to a unanimous decision loss against Claressa Shields.
She has only lost once since, however, that defeat against Alejandra Jimenez was subsequently deemed a no contest after the Mexican failed a drug test.
'The Heavy Hitting Diva' won the vacant WBC super-middleweight title in just her fourth fight and she became the undisputed champion via a unanimous decision win against Elin Cederroos last time out.
Outside of the ring, the American is a fashion designer and launched her debut collection late in 2022.
Crews-Dezurn is also making her mark on the music industry.
A former American Idol contestant, she released her debut single 'Secret Place' last week.
Will she hit the right notes in the ring tonight?
The singing championpublished at 22:35 British Summer Time 1 July 2023
Kal Sajad
BBC Sport at AO Arena, ManchesterBritish fight fans may not have heard much about Franchon Crews-Dezurn, but the Baltimore fighter is quite the character and a woman with many talents.
She has her own clothing line and promotional company, but her first love is singing. Her rendition of Queen's 'We are the Champions' left Marshall giggling in the build-up.
Crews-Dezurn even once auditioned for American Idol and was rejected by Simon Cowell.
Image source, BoxxerPostpublished at 22:32 British Summer Time 1 July 2023
Jonas beats Wyatt by TKO
We've got the main event up next with undisputed super-middleweight champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn and Savannah Marshall set to close out the card.
If you missed it earlier, Natasha Jonas became a two-weight champion courtesy of an eighth-round TKO win against Kandi Wyatt.
Whittaker keeps winningpublished at 22:27 British Summer Time 1 July 2023
Whittaker beats Belujsky by TKO
Ben Whittaker has moved to 4-0 as a professional.
His bout with Vladimir Belujsky has just been waved off by the referee in round eight.
It was so comfortable for the 2020 Olympic silver medallist.
Image source, PA MediaPostpublished at 22:23 British Summer Time 1 July 2023
Kal Sajad
BBC Sport at AO Arena, ManchesterThe crowd appears to have picked up a bit, with many of those empty seats now filled. There was a solid cheer as Savannah Marshall's face just appeared on the big screen.
There are a lot of happy Liverpool fans who have stuck around after Natasha Jonas' win. Sitting in front row is Liam Smith, who jumped from his seat when referee Marcus McDonnell halted the contest.
Four belts and counting…published at 22:18 British Summer Time 1 July 2023
Natasha Jonas has enjoyed an insane 16 months and 12 days.
She has won four separate world titles, three at light-middleweight and one at welterweight.
She turned 39 just last week. Not bad, eh?
Feb 2022: Wins first world title, WBO light-middleweight belt
Image source, Getty ImagesSep 2022: Becomes unified champion with WBC title win
Image source, Getty ImagesNov 2022: Adds third world title in nine months
Image source, Getty ImagesJuly 2023: Becomes two-weight world champion
Image source, BoxxerWords of advice?published at 22:12 British Summer Time 1 July 2023
Some wise knowledge being passed on backstage from two-time undisputed champion Claressa Shields to Franchon Crews-Dezurn?
Not a bad person for a few last minute tips...
Image source, Boxxer'Retirement was 100% on my mind'published at 22:05 British Summer Time 1 July 2023
Image source, Getty ImagesSavannah Marshall boasted a perfect 12-0 record when she stepped into the ring with American Claressa Shields at London's O2 Arena in October.
The 32-year-old had picked up 10 wins inside the distance and was WBO middleweight champion.
However, Shields, who goes by the alias 'Greatest Woman of All Time' (GWOAT), proved too good on the night as she sealed a unanimous decision victory.
When a rematch could not be negotiated, with Marshall saying Shields "outpriced herself", the Briton took a four-month break from training and contemplated hanging up the gloves.
"Retirement was 100% on my mind," Marshall told BBC Sport. "I'd boxed the best in the world. I'd been beat. I wanted to be the best myself, so what do I want to do now? Do I still want to box?
"The reality of it is that I've been boxing for 20-plus years and there comes a time where I thought: If I don't get a rematch, then where do I go?"
Shields is in the buildingpublished at 22:02 British Summer Time 1 July 2023
Kal Sajad
BBC Sport at AO Arena, ManchesterClaressa Shields is in the building. The self-proclaimed GWOAT - greatest woman of all time - is having selfies with fans before she begins her stint at a pundit on the TV broadcast.
Actually, I should know better than using the phrase 'self-proclaimed GWOAT'. I once used said that to her in an interview and her reply was: "Why do you Brits say self-proclaimed? I AM the GWOAT - fact" ... I smiled and nodded, nervously.
Image source, Boxxer