Savannah Marshall KO's Hermans; sets up mega fight with Shields

Savannah Marshall (12-0 10 KO's) ensured the much anticipated mega fight with Claressa Shields will happen next as she became the first fighter to knockout Femke Hermans (12-4 5 KO's).

Headlining the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, Marshall showed her loyal and vocal fan base why she is one of the biggest punchers in woman's boxing.

All it took was three rounds for 'The Silent Assassin' to close the show in emphatic fashion, a stiff left hand jab unsteadied Hermans, followed by a vicious left hook that put the Belgium fighter down and our for the count. 

The arena erupted as Marshall claimed her 12th straight victory, the tenth by knockout. All eyes turned to her arch rival Claressa Shields, who was ringside for the fight.

"There's no-one else in the way between me and Claressa, so it's me and Claressa in the summer," Said Marshall.

"One hundred per cent I know Claressa can't handle my power. I know when I land on Claressa it will be good night.

"It's Great Britain versus America, it's always a great rivalry.

"It's got to happen here in the north east."

Full fight results

Savannah Marshall (12-0, 10 KOs) def. Femke Hermans (12-4, 5 KOs) – 3rd KO, 10x2 WBO middleweight title.

Florian Marku (11-0-1, 7 KOs) def. Chris Jenkins (23-5-4, 8 KOs) – 4th rnd TKO, 10x3 IBF International welterweight title.

Zak Chelli (11-1-1, 6 KOs) def. Jack Kilgannon (11-1, 3 KOs) – R6 KO, 8x3 super middleweight.

Brad Rea (13-0, 5 KOs) def. Lukas Ndafoluma (20-5, 10 KOs) – UD 78-73, 8x3 middleweight.

Luke Cope (4-0, 0 KOs) def. Lee Connelly (8-73-6, 0 KOs) – UD 39-37, 4x3 super lightweight.

April Hunter (5-1, 0 KOs) def. Ester Konecna (1-15-1, 0 KOs) – UD 60-54, 6x2 super welterweight.

Michael Webster (7-0, 5 KOs) def. Erdogan Kadrija (17-5, 11 KOs). – R3 TKO, 6x3 cruiserweight.

Georgia O’Connor (2-0, 0 KOs) def. Erica Alvarez (2-6, 0 KOs) – UD 60-55, 6x2 super welterweight.

Hosea Stewart (2-0, 0 KOs) def. Phil Williams (4-25-1, 1 KOs) – UD 40-36, 4x3 heavyweight.

Matty Harris (2-0, 1 KOs) def. Mait Metsis (0-5) – R1 KO, 4x3 heavyweight.