Shadasia Green Unifies vs Savannah Marshall

The super middleweight unification bout between Savannah Marshall and Shadasia Green at Madison Square Garden on July 11, 2025, delivered a contest that lived up to its billing on a card already brimming with championship stakes. Marshall, entering with a record of 13 wins and 1 loss, and Green, boasting 15 wins and a single defeat, both brought world titles and knockout power to the ring. Marshall’s IBF belt and Green’s WBO title were on the line, adding extra significance to a matchup that pitted two of the division’s most dangerous punchers and most accomplished athletes against one another.

Marshall, known for her rangy jab and patient, destructive style, looked to reassert her dominance after a two-year absence from the boxing ring, having last fought in July 2023 when she edged Franchon Crews-Dezurn to become undisputed champion. Green, the “Sweet Terminator” from Paterson, New Jersey, had climbed the ranks with a reputation for heavy hands and an aggressive, front-foot approach, her only loss coming to Crews-Dezurn in a close decision. Both women entered the ring with much at stake, not just championship belts but also the chance to establish supremacy in a division that has seen a rapid rise in talent and global attention.

The opening rounds saw Marshall deploy her trademark jab, using her four-inch height and reach advantages to keep Green at bay and circle away from the American’s power shots. Green, undeterred by the early distance, pressed forward, seeking to cut off the ring and land her right hand. Marshall’s lateral movement and feints were effective in the early going, and she was able to score with clean right hands as Green advanced. The British champion’s composure and timing were on display, and she appeared to edge the first three rounds on most observers’ cards.

The fight’s first major turning point came in the fourth round. Green, frustrated by Marshall’s movement, was penalised a point for holding by referee Thomas Taylor—a decision that drew some surprise, as there had been little warning prior. Marshall capitalised on the moment, landing a sharp overhand right late in the round and taunting Green as the bell sounded. The deduction put Green in a deeper hole on the scorecards, but it also seemed to ignite a sense of urgency in her corner. From the fifth round onward, Green began to close the distance more effectively, walking Marshall onto a powerful overhand right and following up with body shots that slowed the Briton’s movement.

As the bout moved into the championship rounds, the momentum shifted. Green’s relentless pressure began to pay dividends, and she found success with looping right hands and left hooks to the body. Marshall, still dangerous on the counter, was forced to fight off the ropes more often, and her output dipped as Green’s volume increased. The Americans’ work rate and ability to absorb Marshall’s best shots without wilting became a key storyline. The eighth and ninth rounds were particularly close, with both fighters landing clean, eye-catching punches. Marshall’s accuracy remained high, but Green’s aggression and willingness to take risks swayed several close rounds in her favour.

The final round saw both champions empty their tanks, trading combinations in the centre of the ring as the crowd at Madison Square Garden rose to its feet. The atmosphere was electric, with supporters for both fighters urging them on in what had become a battle of wills. When the final bell sounded, there was a palpable sense of anticipation as the judges’ scorecards were tallied. One judge saw the fight 96-93 for Marshall, but the other two overruled that card, awarding scores of 96-93 and 95-94 to Green, which gave the American a split decision victory and crowned her as the unified super middleweight champion.

Statistically, the fight was a showcase of contrasting styles. Marshall’s accuracy and ring generalship were evident in the early rounds. At the same time, Green’s superior work rate and ability to land the more telling blows in the later stages ultimately swung the contest in her favour. While official punch stats were not immediately available, ringside observers noted that Green’s output increased dramatically after the point deduction, and her body work was particularly effective in slowing Marshall’s movement. Both fighters demonstrated world-class resilience, with neither appearing seriously hurt despite several heavy exchanges.

With a new record of 16-1 with 11 knockouts, Green adds the IBF title to her WBO crown and cements her place among the sport’s elite. Marshall, who drops to 13-2 with 10 knockouts, remains one of the division’s most skilled and dangerous operators, but will now be forced to regroup after a close and fiercely contested defeat. The fight’s placement on a card that also featured Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano 3 further elevated its profile, and the atmosphere inside Madison Square Garden reflected the growing stature of women’s boxing at the highest level.

Both fighters were gracious in defeat and victory, with Green crediting her team and supporters for helping her overcome adversity, and Marshall acknowledging the quality of her opponent. The split decision result, with one judge favouring Marshall, will likely fuel debate among fans and pundits, but there was little dispute that both women had delivered a fight worthy of the occasion. As women’s boxing continues to grow in depth and visibility, contests like Marshall vs Green serve as a reminder of the sport’s technical sophistication, competitive balance, and capacity for drama on the world stage.