WBC, IBF, WBA middleweight champion Claressa Shields aims to secure a statement win, by knocking WBO champion Savannah Marshall out on Saturday night at the O2 Arena in London.
The fight was initially due to take place last month, but the entire event was postponed when Queen Elizabeth unexpectedly passed away.
Marshall, 31, is viewed as the big puncher with knockout wins in 10 of her 12 fights.
While Shields is considered the boxer in the match, she believes Marshall will not be able to withstand her punches for ten rounds.
“The postponement was like a blessing in disguise. The goal is even bigger now, from September to now. I knew I was going to beat Savannah Marshall on September 10, but now I really feel in my spirit that I am going to knock Savannah Marshall out, this is going to be my statement fight,” Shields said to Sky Sports.
“She talked all that stuff about pillow fists, but she’s not going to stand there and fight me. She’s not going to be able to handle my shots. She can’t outbox me. She’s not very skilled.”
Marshall holds an amateur win over Shields – which is the only loss suffered by Shields as an amateur or pro in a boxing ring.
There are some oddsmakers who have Marshall as the slight favorite, because they believe her power will eventually catch up to Shields – who obviously disagrees.
“You all said she’s a knockout puncher, you all said she is going to knock me out, you all said that I can’t keep her off me, she is too strong, too big,” Shields said.
“You all said that, not me, so when I beat her easily and I be in there dropping her and have her face purple and blue after I don’t wanna hear nothing. Just tell me congrats and leave me alone.”