How to watch Savannah Marshall vs Femke Hermans
‘Silent Assassin’ faces ‘Belgian Bomber’
BBN have provided viewers with all the details needed to tune in and watch the eagerly anticipated clash between WBO World Female middleweight champion Savannah Marshall (11-0, 9KOs) and Belgian challenger Femke Hermans (12-3, 5KOs) on the 92nd day of the year.
Date
The contest takes place on Saturday, April 2nd, 2022.
Time
The first fight takes place at 5pm between welterweights Michael 'The Congo Leopard' Likalu (0-2) and Carl 'Tiger' Turney (0-21-1).
Venue
Newcastle Arena, Newcastle.
Rounds scheduled
12 two-minute rounds at middleweight (160lbs).
Titles
Marshall's WBO World Female middleweight title is on the line. This is her third world title defence within a year. There are only two other WBO middleweight champions preceding her – Christina Hammer, who held the title for nine-and-a-half years, and Claressa Shields, her potential next opponent.
Ringwalks
Ringwalks are expected at around 10pm, but boxing events can sometimes be subject to delay depending on the undercard results.
TV Coverage
Coverage starts live on Sky Sports YouTube and Facebook channels at 5:30pm.
Then move over to Sky Sports Main Event (Sky channel 401) or Sky Sports Action (Sky channel 407) from 8pm-11pm.
Live Stream
You can watch online via the Sky Sports website here: https://www.skysports.com/watch
There is one other way that you can watch if you are not a Sky TV customer, or if you are just out and about on Saturday night by simply finding a suitable pub that is showing the event by visiting pubfinder.sky.com
BBN will be providing LIVE round-by-round results on fight night HERE
Tickets
Tickets for this event are on sale now at BOXXER.com starting from £40.
Undercard Highlights
The co-main event features 'Albanian King' Florian Marku (10-0-1, 6KOs) in a defence of his IBF International welterweight title to 'Rok'n'Rolla' Chris Jenkins (23-4-3, 8KOs). The 33-year-old experienced Welshman is a former British and Commonwealth champion, but has only won once from his last three contests. Unbeaten southpaw Marku, 29, is ranked 13th with the IBF, just below his welterweight rival Conor Benn (5th).
There's also another exciting matchup between super-middleweights Zak Chelli (10-1-1, 5KOs) and Jack Kilgannon (11-0, 3KOs); plus exciting talents in the form of magnificent Mancunian middleweight Bradley Rea (12-0,5KOs); plus the exciting young heavyweight prospect Matty Harris (1-0), who is one to watch!
Background
Savannah Marshall was initially due to make the first defence of her WBO Middleweight World Title to former World Champion Femke Hermans in April last year, but it takes place a year later instead.
Marshall stopped Scot Hannah Rankin in seven rounds to win the vacant WBO Title in October 2020, the former amateur World Champion was a class above her Scottish rival from the opening bell and managed to go one better than her old foe Claressa Shields by ending the fight inside the distance.
Current European middleweight champ, Hermans, another former opponent of Shields, took the American star the distance in a challenge for her WBC, WBA and IBF Middleweight crowns in December 2018, before falling short in a challenge for the IBF Super-Middleweight Title against Elin Cederroos four months later.
She won the vacant WBO Super-Middleweight World Title by outpointing Nikki Adler on away territory in Germany back in May 2018, and will be hoping to cause another upset abroad when she locks horns with Hartlepool's Marshall.
The 31-year-old from Londerzeel in Belgium picked up the vacant EBU European Middleweight Title with a unanimous decision against Russia's Luiza Davydoza in December and her latest World Title challenge will be the first time that she has fought in the UK.
What have they said?
Savannah Marshall: “I’m really happy and I can’t wait for fight night. I’m very aware of Femke Hermans, a very good fighter. She’s been in with the best, she’s a former WBO World Champion, so I’m sure she’s going to try and get her belt back.
“I know she’s no pushover and I’m looking forward to getting in there. For me, this is probably my toughest test to date. The reigning European Champion. She lost out on a close decision to the World Super-Middleweight Champion, so I know it’s going to be a tough fight.
“I never go into a fight thinking I’m going to stop someone but I know if I land, whoever I land on, I will hurt them. I’m just looking forward to putting on a good display and showcasing my skills.”
Ben Shalom, BOXXER Founder: “We can’t wait to return to the Utilita Arena on April 2 and feel the incredible atmosphere and buzz of the Newcastle fans. This is a crucial fight for Marshall – she has to beat the dangerous Femke to secure the ultimate showdown with Claressa Shields. Last time it was a really special night with Marshall’s incredible win.
“When the Utilita became available we knew that we wanted Savannah to headline a big arena on a big show and we’re returning with a great card featuring Marku in his first outing on his new contract in a tough fight against Chris Jenkins. We’re looking forward to another massive night in Newcastle.”
Predictions
Tim Rickson, BBN Editor: “Marshall hasn't given me any reason to doubt her thus far, so I'm expecting another win from her here. I also believe she will give her everything to stop Hermans and make a statement to her biggest rival, Claressa Shields. As confident as Shields is, having lost to Marshall before and seeing her stop all her past opponents has got to instill some fear or uncertainty. I really hope Marshall shines and sets up the big clash with Claressa next.”
Related Articles
Everything you ever need to know about Marshall-Hermans can be found HERE
Betting Odds
1/10 Marshall
8/1 Hermans
22/1 Draw
Weights
Savannah Marshall: 11st 5lb (159lb)
Femke Hermans: 11st 4lb 8oz (158.05lb)
All the weights HERE
Running Order
Main Event:
Savannah Marshall vs Femke Hermans
10×2 WBO World Female Middleweight Title
Chief Support:
Florian Marku vs Chris Jenkins
10×3 IBF International Welterweight Title
#9
Zak Chelli vs Jack Kilgannon
8×3 Super-Middleweight Contest
#8
Bradley Rea vs Lukas Ndafoluma
8×3 Middleweight Contest
#7
Luke Cope vs Lee Connelly
4×3 Super-Lightweight Contest
#6
April Hunter vs Ester Konecna
6×2 Super-Welterweight Contest
#5
Michael Webster vs Erdogan Kadrija
6×3 Cruiserweight Contest
#4
Georgia O'Connor vs Erica Juana Alvarez
4×3 Super-Lightweight Contest
#3
Hosea Stewart vs Phil Williams
4×3 Heavyweight Contest
#2
Matty Harris vs Mait Metsis
6×3 Heavyweight Contest
#1
Michael Likalu vs Carl Turney
4×3 Welterweight Contest
FLOAT
Chloe Watson vs Gemma Ruegg
4×2 Super-Flyweight Contest
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