Boxing classic graces historic night

On a landmark night for female sport, the biggest fight in the history of women’s boxing delivered an absolute epic. 

Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall took to the ring at the O2 Arena in London to complete a wonderful occasion, the first time an all-female card has graced a major venue, and 20,000 fans, plus countless watching on TV, were treated to something special. 

American Shields and Hartlepool’s Marshall are two fighters at the very top of their game and the fight was a classic, with both producing an absorbing all-action contest that ebbed and flowed from start to finish. 

In the end, Shields prevailed to become the undisputed World Middleweight Champion, winning on a unanimous points decision. 

Shields said after the fight: "Women's boxing has been around for so many years and so many greats that came before us, but here we are in front of 20,000 fans in London at the O2 Arena and I think that's fight of the year. 

"I'm just so happy and it's an unbelievable moment." 

Alycia Baumgardner defeated Mikaela Mayer in another superb fight and there were victories for rising British stars Lauren Price, Caroline Dubois and Karriss Artingstall. 

The fighting bug also extended to the football pitch on Saturday, as West Ham secured a contentious 2-1 victory at Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League.  

West Ham defender Hawa Cissoko was sent off for lashing out at Sarah Mayling at the end of the game, and Hammers’ boss Paul Konchesky followed her down the tunnel, when he was also dismissed in the aftermath. 

It was an ugly end to what had been a terrific match, Dagny Brynjarsdottir and Honoka Hayashi scoring the goals that ended Villa’s unbeaten start to the season. 

The Rugby World Cup has made a superb start in New Zealand and the hosts were too strong for Wales on Sunday morning, running out 56-12 winners, while favourites England have already booked their place in the quarter-finals after a tense 13-7 victory over France.