Pick It: Claressa Shields vs. Savannah Marshall (Saturday, ESPN+, 2:30 PM EST)

Borrowing from a preview pick of the week gone to postponement a month ago, it’s definitely game on this time at the O2 Arena. It is the biggest women’s doubleheader arguably of all time.

In the main event, 27-year old two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields (12-0, 2 KO) will defend the lineal middleweight crown against the only woman to post a win over her as an amateur or professional, 31-year old WBO titlist Savannah Marshall (12-0, 10 KO). Shields has the rest of the major belts in the class.

One of them will soon have a full set. 

In support, Shields’ 2016 teammate will attempt to expand her belt collection. 32-year old Jr. lightweight Mikaela Mayer (17-0, 5 KO) defends her IBF and WBO belts against 28-year old WBC titlist Alycia Baumgardner (12-1, 7 KO). Both bouts have been built well and if they simply meet the hype it will be a hell of a show.

Additional Shows to Watch For

Saturday - Paro vs. Jarvis (DAZN, 4:00 AM EST)

It’s a battle of undefeated Jr. welterweight for early risers on the East Coast and night owls on the West. 26-year old Liam Paro (22-0, 13 KO) has won over ten in each of his last two outings. This time, it’s scheduled for twelve against 24-year old banger Brock Jarvis (20-0, 18 KO).

Saturday - TBRB #3 Wilder vs. Helenius (Fox PPV, 8:00 PM EST)

One of the most exciting fighters in the sport returns after falling short in the thrilling end of the best heavyweight trilogy since Bowe-Holyfield. 36-year old former WBC titlist Deontay Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KO) begins life without Tyson Fury. Could a shot at unified titlist Oleksandr Usyk be in the future if Fury-Usyk doesn’t come together in the first half of 2023? What about a still rich clash with Anthony Joshua? Before those questions can be asked, Wilder will see 38-year old veteran Robert Helenius (31-3, 20 KO). Helenius has been stopped twice, by Wilder knockout victims Gerald Washington and Johann Duhaupas, but enters having won three straight by knockout. This pay show features an interesting undercard with a clash of former super middleweight titlists, Caleb Plant and Anthony Dirrell, and a top-ten clash at bantamweight between Gary Antonio Russell and Emanuel Rodriguez

Saturday - World Champion Haney vs. #1 Kambosos (ESPN, 10:30 PM EST)  

Sometimes the price of getting a big fight is a rematch clause forcing a sequel few really care about. That’s the case here. 23-year old lineal and undisputed World lightweight champion Devin Haney (28-0, 15 KO) traveled to Australia in June and painted George Kambosos to win history’s crown. Haney travels again as a heavy favorite. Can the 29-year old Kambosos (20-1, 10 KO) do anything to change his fate this time?  

Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, a member of the International Boxing Research Organization, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com