Savannah Marshall vs Femke Hermans LIVE: Fight stream, latest updates and how to watch online tonight
Re-live round-by-round updates of all the action in Newcastle
Savannah Marshall retained her WBO middleweight title and moved a step closer to a seismic unification bout with Claressa Shields by knocking out Femke Hermans on Saturday.
Hartlepool fighter Marshall dropped her Belgian challenger in the final second of the third round, flooring Hermans with a short left hook to end the contest, retain her title and remain unbeaten at 12-0 with 10 knockouts. Marshall’s victory at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle was observed by Shields, the American watching on from the front row as Marshall handed Hermans the first stoppage loss of the Belgian’s career. Shields, meanwhile, previously went the distance with Hermans.
A unification bout between Marshall and unified champion Shields is now expected to take place this summer, with Boxxer chief Ben Shalom saying “late June, early July” is the target. Marshall told Sky Sports: “Claressa can’t handle my power. I believe I severely hurt Claressa.” Shields responded: “She’s gonna have trouble with me, and she’s definitely not gonna knock me out. Femke was able to make her miss, and I’m ten times faster than Femke, so what do you think I’m gonna do?”
Re-live updates from Savannah Marshall vs Femke Hermans and the event’s undercard, below.
Marshall vs Hermans
Zak Chelli vs Jack Kilgannon is up next in a super-middleweight bout!
“Mr Chelli”, 24, is a school teacher whose students will no doubt be watching on keenly this evening...
Marshall vs Hermans
Rea adds that he injured his right hand slightly – early in the fight – which contributed to his switching of stances.
Marshall vs Hermans
Rea tells Sky Sports: “It was a tough fight, tough man, very experienced.
“I thought I won every round, I felt good in there. Maybe not as exciting as my last two fights, but I got the win at the end of the day.
“[Switching stances] is something we’ve been working on for a while now. Tried it out today, sometimes it wasn’t working, but the shot I put him down with was one I’ve been working on in the gym.
“I feel like I’m ready to take the step up [to fight for titles].”
Marshall vs Hermans
A fair score in favour of Manchester’s Rea, who moves to 13-0 by outpointing Ndafoluma!
Marshall vs Hermans
Bradley Rea def. Lukas Ndafoluma via decision (78-73).
Marshall vs Hermans
Rea vs Ndafoluma – Round 8
Final round. The men trade jabs, then Ndafoluma strings together a swift but light combination to the body of Rea.
Ndafoluma presses forward but misses with a wide left hook. Rea misses with is own left hook, a shorter shot, as Ndafoluma ducks.
Rea shells up as Ndafoluma pours on punches, before the Briton times a left hook really well as the Namibian stops throwing!
One-two now from Rea, closing the distance just before the bell rings.
Marshall vs Hermans
Rea vs Ndafoluma – Round 7
Ndafoluma comes out aggressively in this round. He ducks but eats a snapping counter straight from Rea.
Jab, left hook, right straight from Rea – they don’t all land, but it’s good to see the Briton throwing a few more combinations now.
He’s starting to trouble Ndafoluma, pressing forward while switching stances. Rea launches a vicious left hook to the body, then another as he’s backed up against the ropes.
Marshall vs Hermans
Rea vs Ndafoluma – Round 6
Rea with sniping jabs to the head and body.
Ndafoluma is still in this fight, though, and responds to a sharp left body hook from Rea by launching an overhand right.
The shot reddens Rea’s face at once.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments