Commonwealth Games: Savannah Marshall relishing her return to the ring
Tuesday 8 July 2014 14:33, UK
Despite not having boxed for six months, Savannah Marshall is set to compete for a medal in women's middleweight in Glasgow.
I haven’t boxed for about six months because of my injury so I’m just really looking forward to getting back in the ring
The Hartlepool fighter is the reigning world champion and will defend her title later this year in South Korea. As such she will go to Glasgow as one of the favourites to take home the gold.
However, having had shoulder surgery over the winter that forced her to miss May's European Championships, Marshall faces a race against time to be fully fit. The signs are good in that she is back in training and sparring, and following a surprise quarter-final exit at the Olympic Games in London two years ago, Marshall will be more determined than ever to make amends.
If Marshall is at the top of her game it will be hard for anyone to stop her. Things are never that easy in a major championship and her fitness remains a concern but, if 100 per cent fit, the 22-year-old looks sure to be in medal contention.
Marshall on...
Glasgow 2014: “I’m really looking forward to it, I haven’t boxed for about six months because of my injury so I’m just really looking forward to getting back in the ring.”
Injury: "I’m back to 100 per cent, I’m injury free and glad to say that I’m over it (her shoulder injury) now.”
Making up for lost time: “I’m just looking forward to getting back in to the ring really. It would have been ideal to have boxed before the Commonwealths but obviously things didn’t work out that way so I’m just looking to see where I’m at competition-wise after such a long lay-off. I’m hoping I’m not too far from my best.”
Olympic comparisions: “It’ll be nowhere near as big but obviously it’s another multi-sport games and I’ve done two multi-sport games, I’ve done the Olympics and the World Combat Games. I’ve done another multi-sport competition since London so I’m hoping I know how they work and I’ll be all right.”
Targets: "I’m really looking forward to it. I’m just looking forward to be boxing again. I don’t really want to set myself a target because I haven’t boxed in so long but I’m quite confident and I’m feeling fit.”
