PFL Adds Another Female Boxing Champion, More Could Be On The Way

The Professional Fighters League announced the signing of reigning undisputed women’s super middleweight boxing champion Savannah Marshall during the PFL Playoffs in New York City on August 18.

Marshall is the latest female boxing champion to not only make the move to MMA, but to sign with the PFL to pursue this portion of their combat sports dream.

Amanda Serrano and Claressa Shields preceded Marshall on the same path, and the latter just re-upped with a new deal with PFL.

What’s the motivation for the shift or double duty with boxing and MMA?

Exposure, opportunity and naturally, those two concepts lead to more money. Shields confirmed that in an interview just moments after Marshall’s deal was announced. The two had a face-off in the PFL Smartcage.

As Shields stated, there is more money available for female combat sports athletes in MMA, and the PFL is offering them the opportunity to cash in on their talents and reputations.

CBS Sports’ Luke Thomas talked about the crossover trend from women’s boxing to MMA. And the PFL is making it one of the promotion’s niche areas in the combat sports world.

Maintaining flexibility is seemingly a major factor for many of the athletes who come into the PFL fold.

Just as Francis Ngannou and Jake Paul are allowed to box alongside their MMA commitments to PFL, Marshall, Serrano and Shields plan to continue their boxing careers after signing with the promotion.

Marshall reaffirmed her commitment to boxing in the video below following the announcement of her deal with PFL.

How big are the deals Shields, Serrano and Marshall are signing with PFL?

According to a source with knowledge of the commitments, PFL has been doubling the compensation most of the female boxing champions were earning in the ring. Also, according to the source, “Savannah signed a multi-fight deal worth well into six figures.”

As the trend continues, more elite female boxers are likely to show an interest in potentially making the jump.

The woman Marshall defeated to become the undisputed super middleweight champion, Franchón Crews-Dezurn is already training wrestling with former UFC Light Heavyweight champion and Hall-of-Famer Rashad Evans, and others within the MMA world in South Florida.

She is interested in pursuing a rematch with Marshall in the PFL Smartcage, but David Feldman, the founder and president of Bareknuckle Fighting Championship has also shown interest in signing Crews-Dezurn, and has been communicating with her team.

I spoke with Crews-Dezurn via text about her potential interest in PFL.

“You know it’s not a party without the heavy hitting diva and being a pioneer in growing women’s boxing, I look forward to continuing the work with the amazing other female fighters,” Crews-Dezurn said. “Rashad [Evans] is just that guy! He’s a legend in his sport, so it’s an honor to learn from him. He’s been supportive of me since I met him and I’m eager to add more tools to my repertoire.”

Evans, whom I also spoke to via text, is excited about Crews-Dezurn’s transition and prospects in MMA.

“I think it’s a great that Franchón is gonna transition to MMA,” Evans said. “Franchón is a multi talented athlete with a strong mindset. Her accomplishments in boxing has solidified her place as a future hall of famer. I’m very excited to train Franchón for her MMA debut, because I know that she has the drive and determination to make some serious noise in MMA. Her physicality in the ring already lets me know she has what it takes. But besides that, when Franchón gets her mind focused on anything she accomplishes it. Rather it’s fashion or her music she always finds her mark”

Female boxing champions are on the hunt to get paid their worth and PFL is seemingly all in on offering fresh opportunities for them.