Savannah Marshall ripped the undisputed super-middleweight championship from Franchon Crews-Dezurn with a majority decision triumph at the AO Arena in Manchester.
Marshall was back in action for the first time since losing to middleweight superstar Claressa Shields last October, her maiden bid to ringfence all four major belts in a division.
The robust and tough Crews-Dezurn presented a very different challenge to Shields’ dazzling skills and Marshall (13-1, 10 KOs) was laboured at times. Nevertheless, she deservedly prevailed by margins of 99-92 and 97-93 on the scorecards, with a third judge returning an utterly perplexing 95-95 verdict.
The moment Savannah Marshall was crowned UNDISPUTED champion 👑
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) July 1, 2023
✨@Savmarshall1| @boxxer ✨ pic.twitter.com/hrtNKAwqMm
Marshall’s attention instantly turned towards Shields at ringside, who she hopes to face in a rematch in the higher weight class she has just made her own.
MORE: Marshall braced for Crews-Dezurn, believes Claressa Shields will avoid rematch
After extended introductions, which featured Crews-Dezurn (8-2, 2 KOs) showcasing her singing talents by taking on the Star Spangled Banner herself, the defending champion sought to make life difficult for the more well-schooled Marshall.
Crews-Dezurn looked to force the pace and take the fight to the Brit, although the cleaner work generally came from Marshall, with the overhand right almost always finding the target.
Shields was a persistently voluble presence at ringside, howling in support of her friend. However, the pound-for-pound queen’s assessment of Crews-Dezurn being 3-0 up after the first three rounds felt extremely generous.
The ferocity of the champion’s work dipped slightly during the middle rounds, allowing Marshall to dictate and bank rounds as she began to jab with greater authority.
Round seven brought a huge, sustained effort from Crews-Dezurn. Marshall found a pleasing response with another chopping right cross but looked a weary fighter as she returned to her corner.
Coach Peter Fury implored Marshall to step back and create space for her classier work to shine and Crews-Dezurn’s rough-housing caught up with her as she sustained a bloodied nose. Marshall was then able to close out a victory she relished, before swiftly returning her focus to another shot at Shields.
In the chief support, unified 154 lbs ruler Natasha Jonas became a two-weight world champion as she battered a bloodied Kandi Wyatt to an eighth-round stoppage to lift the vacant IBF welterweight title.
Franchon Crews-Dezurn vs. Savannah Marshall live results
The main card is due to start at around 2 p.m. ET (7 p.m. local time) depending on the length of the undercard fights.
- Franchon Crews-Dezurn (c) vs. Savannah Marshall for the undisputed super middleweight title
- Natasha Jonas bt. Kandi Wyatt (TKO 8/10) to win the vacant IBF welterweight title
- Mark Jeffers bt Zak Chelli (UD 10); super middleweights
- Ben Whittaker bt. Vladimir Belujsky (TKO 8/8); light heavyweights
- Callum Simpson bt. Boris Crighton (UD 10); super middleweights
Franchon Crews-Dezurn vs. Savannah Marshall? start time
- Date: Saturday, July 1 | Sunday, July 2
- Start time: 2 p.m. ET | 11 a.m. PT | 7 p.m. BST | 4 a.m. AEST
- Main event: 5:15 p.m. ET | 2:15 p.m. PT | 10:15 p.m. BST | 7:15 a.m. AEST
Franchon Crews-Dezurn vs. Savannah Marshall is on July 1. The main card starts at 2 p.m. ET | 11 a.m. PT | 7 p.m. BST | 4 a.m. AEST. The main event should begin around 5:15 p.m. ET | 2:15 p.m. PT | 10:15 p.m. BST | 7:15 a.m. AEST, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
MORE: Crews-Dezurn vs. Marshall undercard: Complete list of fights
How to watch Franchon Crews-Dezurn vs. Savannah Marshall
| Region | TV channel | Live streaming |
| USA | ESPN+ | ESPN+ |
| Canada | — | TSN+ |
| UK and Ireland | Sky Sports | Sky Go |
| Australia | — | TBA |
In the U.K., the fight will be available on Sky Sports.
In the U.S., the fight will air through the ESPN+ streaming service.