Boxing
Shadasia Green Eyes Claressa Shields Bout After Unifying Titles
2025-07-23

Shadasia Green, the newly unified super middleweight champion, is navigating the aftermath of her significant victory over Savannah Marshall, a triumph that not only secured her the IBF 168lbs belt and retained her WBO title but also earned her local accolades. Despite her growing success, Green maintains a grounded perspective, humorously noting her continued humility. As she considers her future in the sport, a high-stakes encounter with Claressa Shields looms as a compelling prospect, a fight Green believes would be mutually beneficial and elevate women's boxing. Concurrently, she is managing personal milestones, including house hunting and family time, while remaining dedicated to refining her fighting technique.

Green's recent unification bout against Savannah Marshall, held on July 11 at Madison Square Garden, was a pivotal moment in her career. Marshall, despite a two-year hiatus from the ring, presented a formidable challenge, having previously defeated Franchon Crews-Dezurn, the only fighter to best Green in her 16-1 professional record. Green's strategic performance led to a split decision victory, a win that further solidified her standing in the super middleweight division and was recognized with "Athlete of the Year" honors in her hometown of Paterson, New Jersey.

Reflecting on the fight, Green has meticulously reviewed her performance, identifying areas for improvement despite her success. She acknowledges that her opponent's critical response to the decision is somewhat understandable, drawing parallels to her own feelings after her loss to Crews-Dezurn in 2023. However, Green believes the judges' scoring accurately reflected the contest, noting her strong finish in the latter rounds. Her unwavering commitment to self-improvement keeps her in the gym, analyzing every detail of her past fights.

Looking ahead, Green's sights are set on a potential mega-fight against Claressa Shields, the undisputed heavyweight champion. Despite Shields' initial reluctance, Green sees a rivalry with the potential to emulate the commercial success of the Amanda Serrano versus Katie Taylor bouts. Green emphasizes her respect for Shields' accomplishments and her contributions to women's boxing, advocating for a matchup driven by mutual ambition rather than personal animosity. Such a fight, she contends, would be a monumental event for the sport, offering both combatants significant financial rewards and showcasing elite talent to a global audience.

While a clash with Shields is a primary goal, Green expresses less enthusiasm for a rematch with Franchon Crews-Dezurn, who holds the WBC and WBA titles at 168lbs. Despite the prospect of an undisputed champion emerging from such a fight, Green points to Crews-Dezurn's negative social media conduct as a barrier to professional engagement. Green suggests that Crews-Dezurn's "smear campaign" tactics make collaborative efforts difficult, standing in contrast to the respectful and business-like approach Green admires in other top-tier female fighters. For now, Green is entrusting her career's next steps to her promotional team, focusing on well-deserved rest and recovery before her next challenge.

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