.jpg)
Savannah Marshall will now defend her WBO middleweight title against four-time world title challenger Maria Lindberg this weekend.
The fight takes place on the undercard of Conor Benn’s clash with Samuel Vargas at the Copper Box Arena in London on Saturday, live on Sky Sports and DAZN.
Marshall (9-0, 7 KOs) was originally due to defend her title against Femke Hermans, but Hermans was forced to withdraw after a member of her team tested positive for COVID.
Instead she will now put her belt on the line against Sweden’s Lindberg (19-6-2, 10 KOs), who in her career has challenged for world honours against the likes of Christina Hammer, Ema Kozin and Marie Eve Dicaire.
Marshall won the title in her last fight, picking up a seventh round stoppage victory over Hannah Rankin at Wembley Arena in October.
IN OTHER NEWS: MTK Global announced the signing of Jordan Barker-Porter ahead of her plans to turn professional.
Barker-Porter had a very successful amateur career, winning a gold medal at the Haringey Box Cup in 2019, along with silver medals at the National Championships and the Winter Box Cup.
The 26-year-old is also a four-time Tyne Tees & Wear champion, and the North East star is excited to be entering the paid ranks alongside MTK Global.
Barker-Porter said: “It’s a dream to sign with MTK Global. I’m so excited to be part of the team and show what I can do. To be part of the same team as big icons such as Tyson Fury, Josh Taylor and Billy Joe Saunders is madness, I have to pinch myself. Coming from a travelling background to see some of those names under the big lights shows that anything is possible with hard work.
“I come from a family of predominantly males. Both my brothers competed when they were younger but decided it wasn’t for them, so me being the feisty female of the family and knowing there was growing market for females in boxing, I thought I’d step up to the plate and give it a go.
“My dad coached at a club years ago so he gave me a taste of the medicine and boxing has been in my veins ever since. I’ve had 24 fights, won 18 and fought nationally and internationally. I’ve won several silver medals at national level and gold at the Haringey Box Cup. I’ve won the TTW (Tyne Tees & Wear) title four times and have a belt to keep for good.
“I’ve been training at a professional gym since November so the transition from amateur to pro has already began. It’s allowed me to really focus on technique and skill and train full time, morning and night. I feel my style will be really well suited in the pros and I’m so excited to show what I’m about now.
“We’re at time now where at least one female fight is on some of these big shows whereas back in the day that was unheard of. Females are getting recognised for their talent and I genuinely can’t wait for my name to be in the mix and inspire the youth after how hard I’ve worked to get to this position.
“Ideally in the next 12 months id love to have three to four fights so I can showcase my ability and work my way up the ladder. The lightweight division is real tasty with opportunities and I’m ready to grab with both hands.”