According to promoter Dmitry Salita, Savannah Marshall is to blame for the uncertainty surrounding a potential rematch with Claressa Shields.
Marshall herself stated,
“I`m starting to come to terms with maybe it`s never going to happen through her not wanting it.”
However, Salita, who promotes the decorated Shields (two-time Olympic gold medallist and multi-weight world champion), attributes the difficulty in arranging a second bout to Marshall.
Salita highlighted,
“Claressa flew thousands of miles to the UK and decisively beat Savannah in her own backyard. Since then, we`ve offered Savannah significantly more money than she earned the first time for a rematch this year. The only reason the rematch may never happen is 100 percent on Savannah.”
Salita continued to praise Shields, stating,
“Claressa Shields has nothing left to prove. She is the GWOAT – the greatest woman boxer of all time – and she`s achieved a level of success inside and outside the ring that is generational and simply untouchable.”
Following her victory over Marshall in 2022, Shields moved up to heavyweight and became the first undisputed women`s champion in that division earlier this year.
Salita remarked,
“That moment alone cements her as the lineal heavyweight champion – an achievement that will live in the history books forever.”
He also spoke about Shields` current plans:
“Claressa has always chased greatness. That`s a fact. Just look at her resume. Right now, she`s on the verge of selling out nearly 20,000 seats at Little Caesars Arena [in Detroit on July 26], fighting current light-heavyweight champion Lani Daniels, headlining as the first to defend the undisputed heavyweight world title. And to top it off, she`s being walked into the ring by global hip-hop icon Rick Ross.”
Salita added,
“There`s more to come – this is just the beginning. But on July 26 the world will stop as it does for special moments in sports with an eye on Claressa Shields` undisputed heavyweight world title fight.”
He emphasized Shields` impact:
“Claressa commands attention because she`s a once-in-a-generation talent. She`s shattered barriers. She continues to elevate the sport. Much of the progress in women`s boxing today is directly because of Claressa Shields. Her achievements inside the ring and her advocacy outside of it are changing the game.”
Potential Next Opponent: Franchon Crews Dezurn
Instead of Marshall, Shields` next potential opponent might be a rematch against fellow American Franchon Crews Dezurn.
Shields defeated Crews Dezurn in her professional debut. Crews Dezurn later built a successful career, becoming an undisputed super-middleweight champion before her loss to Marshall in 2023.
Crews Dezurn has since regained the WBC championship and is scheduled to defend it next week.
Salita commented,
“We`re always open to big opportunities. Franchon Crews, who defends her titles on June 6 at the International Boxing Hall of Fame, is absolutely in the mix. She lost a razor-thin and controversial decision to Marshall in the UK – after singing the US national anthem, no less.”
He concluded regarding Crews Dezurn,
“Let`s not forget: Franchon gave Claressa the toughest fight of her career. That rematch would be something special.”
Murray Blackwood