SAVANNAH MARSHALL is in talks with Claressa Shields and her camp about a rematch of their explosive World title fight at St James’ Park in Newcastle next summer.

Marshall lost out on points in a rip-roaring encounter with Shields at London’s O2 Arena in October, with the American emerging as the undisputed World Middleweight champion after a contest that was widely regarded as a landmark moment in the evolution of women’s boxing.

In the immediate aftermath of the fight, there was suggestions that Hartlepool-based Marshall could retire, but the 31-year-old has decided to fight on and has her eyes on a rematch with Shields that could prove to be one of the most eagerly-awaited sporting events of 2023.

With a rematch clause having been part of the contract for October’s fight, Marshall is pushing for a second fight at St James’ Park, with Sky, who televised the initial contest, throwing their weight behind plans for a Tyneside tear-up in seven or eight months’ time.

“I’ve got the rematch,” said Marshall, who was at St James’ at the weekend watching Newcastle United Women beat Barnsley in front of a crowd of almost 30,000. “I have got the rematch (clause), and that’s something that Sky are really pushing. There’s talks of it happening at St James’ Park next summer, so that’s something to really look forward to.

“It would mean the world to me to have a fight like that at St James’, especially because they were meant to have the first fight at St James’, but just because of the dates, it didn’t happen. With the way that Newcastle United are getting behind female sport and their women’s football team, I think it would be absolutely massive.”

Marshall lost out on a unanimous points decision six weeks ago, with most observers feeling that Shields, who remains unbeaten as a professional, was the rightful winner.

However, having been the only person to beat Shields in the amateur ranks, Marshall remains confident she could turn the tables in a second meeting, with the former Hartlepool Headland ABC star admitting she would do things differently in a rematch.

“I really think things would be different,” she said. “I really think I’ve seen the best version of Claressa – I honestly don’t think she can get any better than that, I really don’t. But I can only get better because I know there are things I could differently. I definitely think it’ll turn out differently second time around.”

Since her defeat in October, Marshall has taken some time out holidaying in the Far East, but she is now back in her native North-East and ready to start training again in the build-up to Christmas. She would like to return to the ring in the spring to shake off any rustiness, and admits he is yet to subject herself to a full review of the Shields showdown.

“I’ve seen clips, but I haven’t watched the whole fight back yet,” she said. “Maybe I will at some stage, but I got the best view in the house anyway, I was in there with her, wasn’t I?

“I knew she’d start fast, and I knew I’d be down early on, but coming away, there are things I would change and have gone about differently. I do think I’m capable of beating her.”