WITH just over six weeks until her next fight, Savannah Marshall is steam rolling her way to the very top of female boxing.

The eyes of the boxing world were fixed on Newcastle Arena just over a week ago when Marshall was up against Lolita Muzeya defending her WBO Middleweight Title for the first time in her career. And she delivered in fine style.

It took just two rounds for the referee to call the tie with Marshall showing power and skill to force Muzeya onto the ropes. In the end, she looked like she couldn’t last another second.

The Hartlepool boxer is becoming more of a household name in the sport and she’s earning a top reputation for herself. The performances have been blistering and efficient and there doesn’t seem to much that can strip her of any kind of confidence.

After the successful defence of her title, there are now a few more obstacles to overcome if she’s to make it to the very top. It sounds simple on paper but the journey will be far from it.

It’s the sports worst kept secret that Marshall and American fighter and current world champion Claressa Shields have locked horns, exchanged words and teased boxing fans with a potential fight in the future that would be billed as the biggest in female boxing history.

Well after Marshall’s win, the two exchanged words to the delight of the audience in the Newcastle Arena.

Shields delivered her message via a video link on Sky Sports after the fight by saying: “Savannah Marshall finally broke the Savannah Marshall curse.

“In the amateurs, four times they were supposed to fight against each other but she lost the day before each time but today she pulled through with a second round knockout so congrats.

“See you next year girly. I’ll show you what a real fighter and a real champion fights like.”

Savannah’s response was emphatic.

“What a load of crap. Claressa couldn’t last two minutes with me, never mind two rounds.”

The news emerged that Marshall was lined up for another fight on 11th December with her arch nemesis Shields on the same bill defending her world titles.

If the two can overcome their respective opponents, the biggest fight in female boxing history is on for 2022.

Promoter and CEO of Boxxer Ben Shalom said: “We believe we’ve got the best fighter in the whole of the sport.

“Claressa feels she’s the best female in the whole of the sport. We’ve got them both now on the same platform, we’re going to put them both together on 11th December and then we’ll see what happens.

“But it’s going to happen very soon.

“That’s what I’ve been saying to Savannah. It’s time for her to know that she’s a superstar. It’s the time for her to feel that she’s a superstar.

“To have her headlining in Newcastle and to have that crowd, I think she knows it now and feels it now so we’re onto bigger and better things.”

Marshall is a woman who lives the life of a boxer and maintains a certain standard in the gym. She’s coached by Peter Fury, uncle of world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

While she barely needs reminding of the standards of a world heavyweight champion, the 30-year-old she feel in peak condition.

The reason being is that she has been in consecutive camps.

Marshall had a fight cancelled prior to her title defence with Lulita Muzeya. With little time in between fight dates, the Hartlepool born boxer continued her work in the gym.

With just over six weeks to go until Birmingham, there will be a short resting period before she’ll properly knuckle down and continue where she’s left off.

Shields faces Ema Kozin at the Utilita Arena while Marshall’s opponent is still to be confirmed.

Marshall’s most recent fight was the headline act in Newcastle which was the first of her career. While the two will share the platform in December, there’s no doubt that they will both be headliners once again and, barring a shock in Birmingham, the sport can deliver one of the most anticipated fights in the history of the sport.