Claressa Shields vs Savannah Marshall Picks and Predictions: Small Margins Lead Marshall to Victory

Boxing betting odds are showing Claressa Sheilds vs. Savannah Marshall as essentially a coinflip contest, but our betting picks and predictions break down why Marshall's size and power should give her what she needs to claim victory.

Sep 7, 2022 • 11:39 ET • 4 min read
Sydney Marshall middleweight boxing
Photo By - USA TODAY Sports

Claressa Shields vs. Savannah Marshall is scheduled for 10 rounds for the undisputed middleweight title as part of a historical all-female fight card this weekend in London.

While Shields has become a notable figure stateside, she’s taking her act overseas in hopes of avenging the only loss in her boxing career when Marshall defeated her in the amateurs.

This fight looks to be even money come Saturday with Shields the narrowest of favorites at -115. Marshall, the homecoming champion, is right there at -110.

We break down the fight and provide the best bet in our Shields vs. Marshall betting picks below.

Claressa Shields vs Savannah Marshall odds

Method of victory Claressa Shields Savannah Marshall
Win outright -125 +100
Win by KO/TKO +700 +275
Win by points or decision +120 +290
Draw +1,200 +1,200

Odds courtesy of DraftKings as of September 7, 2022.

Claressa Shields vs Savannah Marshall betting predictions

Picks made on September 6. Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.

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Claressa Shields vs Savannah Marshall

Women’s boxing continues to show out in a banner year as Shields and Marshall clash in a fight a decade in the making. In 2012, Marshall defeated Shields as an amateur, with Shields seething over her only loss ever since. Both are now excellent world champions in their own right and equally motivated to settle the score in the professional ranks.

Marshall is the reigning and defending WBO middleweight champion who has won her last seven fights by knockout. When Marshall initially turned pro, she did so at super middleweight before dropping down to middleweight, and her size advantage is ever present in her bouts. Her stopping power is impressive as she has 10 knockouts in 12 wins with her fights averaging around 3.6 rounds.

Shields is a master boxer who seems to have no ceiling. She became the fastest fighter to win titles in three weight classes, accomplishing the feat in her 10th professional fight. While she’s a more devastating trash talker than puncher, her quick hands and ring IQ have left her without equal. It has gotten to the point where there may be no one else to challenge her should she conquer Marshall.

Oddsmakers seeing this fight so close isn’t a mistake, but there are a few things that separate the two. First, Marshall has significant advantages in power (10 KOs vs. 2 KOs), and height (5-foot-11 ½ to 5-foot-8) and has performed better against common opposition. Shields is the faster and busier fighter of the two, meaning she might be slick enough to make Marshall miss and keep her off balance.

As we saw in the sensational Amanda Serrano vs. Katie Taylor fight earlier this year, these two aren’t outclassing each other or are going to have an easy night. This should be a tough battle where the winner will end up getting less beat up than the loser, and the possibility of a rematch remains high.

Claressa Shields vs Savannah Marshall boxing prediction and best bet

Prediction: Marshall ML (-110)

Amateur rivalries are often overblown when it comes to fighters meeting in the pro ranks. A decade has passed since these two fought each other; both Marshall and Shields have remained outstanding, but are far from what they were in headgear. That being said, Marshall has shed her amateur style while Shields still uses it.

Being the harder puncher and a determined aggressor, Marshall is going to land the better shots both physically and for scoring purposes. It is admittedly hard for fighters like Shields to take over a fight with such limited punching power. Going back to Serrano-Taylor, Taylor was giving Serrano hell on the back end and never backed away; Shields staying in the pocket with Marshall would be reckless and out of character for her.

It'll be hard for her to win the close rounds unless Shields can turn in a masterclass performance against a fighter who is just as skilled as she is. The fight being in London doesn’t do her any favors either. We’re taking Marshall to win by the slimmest of margins.

Prediction: Savannah Marshall moneyline (-110 at DraftKings)

Best Bet: Marshall by decision/technical decision (+260)

Marshall normally stops her opponents within the first three rounds, but Shields has a solid chin and has only been knocked down once in her professional career in a 2018 fight with Hannah Gabriel. She is cagey and tactically sound, so we don’t think she’ll overextend herself to fall victim to Marshall’s heavy hands.

That being said, Marshall is going to land the bigger punches and will have an easier time winning the outside battle thanks to her height and size advantage. Because Shields won’t go out on her proverbial shield, we’re going to take Marshall and her power to leave a dent and impression on the judge's scorecards, winning a decision for a +260 pickup.

Prediction: Savannah Marshall by decision or technical decision (+260 at DraftKings)

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