Boxing champ Savannah Marshall wins MMA debut by KO before facing off with arch rival Claressa Shields amid rematch talk

SAVANNAH MARSHALL won her MMA debut before calling out boxing rival Claressa Shields to a rematch.

Marshall, an undisputed champion at super-middleweight, crossed over to the cage by signing for the Professional Fighters League.

Already 2-1 in the PFL cage is Shields, who beat Marshall in their middleweight mega-fight in 2022.

The pair – whose rivalry dates back to Marshall’s amateur boxing win over a decade ago – have been touted for an MMA rematch.

And after the British star stopped Mirela Vargas in the first round in Newcastle, all eyes turned towards Shields who was cageside.

Marshall, 33, said: “Are we getting it on in the cage or what? Let’s do it. Full MMA rules. Let’s go.”

Shields, 29, replied: “I’ll fight you in the cage, why not?”

Marshall closed the show after landing a barrage of punches with the referee jumping in while Vargas was just about standing.

She had Tyson Fury’s uncle Peter, her regular boxing trainer in the corner.

But interim UFC champion Tom Aspinall and his dad Andy were also guiding Marshall to a successful MMA debut win.

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She said: “These MMA fighters, you’ve got to be a little bit crazy to do this.

“I’ve loved it, fight week, the training, the MMA community has welcomed me with open arms.

“It’s a tough sport and I take my hat off to anyone who does it.”