Shadasia Green Upsets Savannah Marshall in Super Middleweight Unification Clash

On July 11, 2025, Madison Square Garden in New York City was the stage for a gripping super middleweight unification bout between Shadasia Green and Savannah Marshall. Part of the undercard for the Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano III event, the fight saw Green pull off a stunning split decision victory to claim Marshall’s IBF title and retain her WBO belt, unifying two of the four major super middleweight titles. The bout, streamed live on Netflix, showcased the resilience and power of both fighters, but it was Green’s relentless pressure and strategic adjustments that swayed the judges in a controversial decision.

Shadasia Green, a 35-year-old from Paterson, New Jersey, entered the ring with a record of 15-1, with 11 knockouts. Nicknamed “The Sweet Terminator,” Green, a former Old Dominion University point guard, had captured the WBO super middleweight title in November 2024 by defeating Melinda Watpool via split decision. Her only professional loss came against Franchon Crews-Dezurn in December 2023, a fight that motivated her to rebound and claim a world title. At 5’8” and fighting out of an orthodox stance, Green’s aggressive, high-output style and devastating power made her a dangerous contender.

Savannah Marshall, a 34-year-old from Hartlepool, England, known as the “Silent Assassin,” boasted a 13-1 record with 10 knockouts. The IBF super middleweight champion and former undisputed champion at 168 pounds, Marshall was returning to boxing after a two-year hiatus, during which she competed in mixed martial arts with the PFL, scoring a first-round knockout in her MMA debut. Her only loss was to Claressa Shields in 2022, and her last boxing match was a majority decision win over Crews-Dezurn in July 2023. Standing at 5’11¾”, Marshall’s height, reach, and punching power made her a 6-1 favorite entering the fight.

The Fight: Round-by-Round Breakdown

Round 1: Marshall started strong, using her jab and pressuring Green with her signature Peter Fury-trained style, landing a right cross and body shots while bullying Green to the ropes. Green countered with a solid overhand right, but Marshall’s aggression gave her the edge in a close opening round.

Round 2: Marshall continued to press, landing a one-two combination and investing in body shots. Green responded with a left hook-right cross combo, but excessive clinching from both fighters led to a messy round. The referee issued a warning to Marshall for rabbit punches, signaling a physical battle.

Round 3: Green opened with a one-two, but Marshall’s jab and a right hand kept her in control. A clash of heads prompted a referee’s pause, and both fighters engaged in dirty boxing during clinches. The round was tough to score due to frequent holding, with Marshall landing cleaner jabs.

Round 4: Marshall’s sharper shots, including a body jab and one-two, stood out, but Green landed a solid uppercut in a clinch. Excessive holding by Green led to a point deduction, which frustrated the crowd and analysts like Andre Ward, who felt the penalty was harsh. Marshall appeared to bank the round despite the physicality.

Round 5: Green turned the tide, landing a cuffing right hand behind Marshall’s ear that visibly hurt the Brit. Marshall grinned but was forced to hold to survive the round. Green’s aggression and power shots marked a shift in momentum, as she began to impose her physicality.

Round 6: Green continued her surge, landing a left hook that put Marshall on the back foot. Marshall struggled to regain her rhythm as Green’s more agricultural shots drew reactions from the crowd. The American’s pace and power began to overwhelm the ring-rusty Marshall.

Rounds 7-8: Marshall rallied in the seventh, doubling up on her jab as her corner, led by Jon Pegg in Peter Fury’s absence, urged her to stay sharp. However, Green’s counter-punching and jab began to find their mark in the eighth, capitalizing on Marshall’s fatigue. CompuBox stats showed Green outlanding Marshall 43-24 over rounds 5-8.

Rounds 9-10: Marshall regained some poise, using her jab and head movement to tighten the scorecards. In the final round, both fighters, fatigued, continued to trade, with Green landing a punishing right to Marshall’s chin. The Madison Square Garden crowd drowned out the final bell, causing both fighters to continue throwing punches briefly. The judges scored the fight 95-94 and 96-93 for Green, with one judge scoring 96-93 for Marshall, resulting in a split decision victory for Green.

Key Moments and Impact

Green’s mid-fight adjustment, particularly her increased activity and power shots in rounds 5-8, proved decisive. Despite a point deduction for holding in round 4, her ability to hurt Marshall with a right hand in the fifth and maintain pressure down the stretch swayed two judges. Marshall’s two-year layoff and stint in MMA appeared to affect her stamina and sharpness, as her punches lost steam in the later rounds.

System: The controversy surrounding the split decision sparked significant debate. Marshall, supported by one judge’s 96-93 scorecard in her favor, condemned the scoring by the three American judges, arguing it didn’t reflect the fight’s flow. She acknowledged Green’s power, stating, “I’ve never been hit like that before,” but felt the scores were unfair. Green, emotional after the win, spoke of her 20-year journey to the top, dedicating the victory to her late mother’s support. She praised Marshall as a “phenomenal” champion while eyeing future fights with Claressa Shields or Crews-Dezurn.

What’s Next?

Green’s record improved to 16-1, and her victory positions her as a unified IBF and WBO super middleweight champion. She expressed interest in a rematch with Crews-Dezurn or a high-profile fight with Claressa Shields, though tensions between Shields and Green’s promoter, Jake Paul, may complicate the latter. A rematch with Marshall, both promoted by Most Valuable Promotions, is also a possibility, though no rematch clause was included in the contract.

Marshall, now 13-2, faces uncertainty after the loss. She hinted at retiring if she cannot secure rematches with Green or Shields, citing limited options at 168 pounds. Her team is likely to push for a rematch, given the controversial scoring and her status as a former undisputed champion.

Conclusion

Shadasia Green’s split decision victory over Savannah Marshall on July 11, 2025, was a career-defining moment for the American, who overcame a point deduction and a favored opponent to unify the IBF and WBO super middleweight titles. The hard-fought, controversial bout highlighted Green’s resilience and power, while Marshall’s ring rust after a two-year hiatus proved costly. As Green looks to cement her legacy and Marshall contemplates her future, the super middleweight division remains one of the most exciting in women’s boxing, with potential rematches and blockbuster fights on the horizon.