MENTION of the D-word in the hardest of sports activities will at all times trigger a elevating of the eyebrow.
Franchon Crews-Dezurn’s remark that she was “willing to die” nearly went unnoticed in what proved a loud and feisty media convention ahead of Saturday’s defence of her 4 world belts towards Savannah Marshall in Manchester.
Given the racket the rivals made, it was apt the last stage to spout forth ahead of the trans-Atlantic super-middleweight confrontation ought to happen at the New Century Hall, a venue synonymous with well-known outdated performers again in the day.
These two performers, with a solitary loss every, each to Claressa Shields, gave it their absolute all and that’s what Crews-Dezurn is promising towards the Hartlepool fighter.
Given her intensive repertoire of expertise and pursuits exterior boxing, you’d be forgiven for questioning the want of the ‘Heavy Hitting Diva’ from Baltimore.
But these three phrases emphasised how a lot the headline match at the AO Arena means to her.
“I’ve worked my ass off to be here, I’m willing to die,” she bellowed.
“I’m going to take you into the darkness Savannah, I’m going to take you into deep water, I’m going to show you what it means to be a winner.”
Big phrases from the 36-year-old, who’s making the maiden defence of the belts she assembled by beating Elin Cederroos at Madison Square Garden in April 2022, which was her eighth win on the spin.
Marshall is boxing for the first time since she failed in her try to grow to be the undisputed world middleweight champion, dropping to Shields ion entrance opf a sold-out 02 final October.
Crews-Dezurn, who referred to as out the ‘Silent Assassin’ seconds after that historic showdown, accused Marshall of complacency towards her good friend and former USA team-mate.
“She underestimated [Claressa],” mentioned Crews-Dezurn. “That’s what occurs whenever you get content material, whenever you assume that every little thing goes to be given to you on a silver platter.
“You let someone come to your home town beat you to something you thought was yours and dog-walk you.”
That silver-platter quote sparked an offended response from Marshall, who whereas not again to her outdated muted methods, had been joyful to take a verbal again seat till at this time.
“I’ve had nothing given,” mentioned the 32-year-old, whose report reads 12-1 with 10 of her wins coming early. “I’ve worked hard for this. She did touch a nerve with that, I’m sick of hearing it.”
If there is a component of the champion having one thing to show, that’s definitely the case with Marshall, who nonetheless craves a re-match with Shields, quote presumably now at super-middle.
“I have another crack at becoming an undisputed world champion,” she mentioned.
“For me this can be a sensible alternative.
“It would mean everything to get them all again, I’ll probably not get this chance again.”
Marshall informed Boxing News that she has ready for what she expects to be roughhouse ways from the champion.
“For 12 weeks in camp I’ve had people come and wrestle me, spoil and sit on my chest,” she mentioned.
“That’s what I expect her to do. That’s what she’s done in every fight, but I’ve got the tactics to combat that.”
Elsewhere on the invoice, her former Team GB comrade, Natasha Jonas, can be aiming to grow to be a two-weight world champion when she faces Canada’s Kandi Wyatt for the vacant IBF welterweight title, having already clinched the IBF, WBC and WBO belts at super-welter final yr.
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