Claressa Shields' promoter insists Savannah Marshall is '100%' the reason for no rematch

Claressa Shields' promoter Dmitry Salita has claimed that Savannah Marshall is '100%' the reason why a rematch between the pair 'may never happen'.

Claressa Shields will defend her heavyweight title in July against Lani Daniels, in a bid to extend her unbeaten record.

Shields became the first undisputed women's heavyweight champion with a unanimous points win over fellow American Danielle Perkins in February, and the two-time Olympic champion will of course place full focus on retaining them belts in July.

With that said, as is the case with every high level boxer, talks are expectedly transpiring regarding Shields’ next opponent.

A long-awaited rematch with Savannah Marshall has been mooted, and it’s a fight that British boxing watchers would welcome with open arms.

The pair met at the 02 Arena, London, in 2022, in which Shields would hand Marshall a first defeat in her professional career, with the result concluded via unanimous decision.

A rematch between the two seems unlikely however, at least according to Sheilds’ promoter Dmitry Salita.

When speaking to Sky Sports, Salita suggested Marshall is the reason that a second contents between the pair might not happen.

"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.

He added: "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."

Perhaps a more realistic future opponent for Shields could be Franchon Crews-Dezum. Shields made her professional debut against the fellow American boxer, with Salita suggesting that “Franchon gave Claressa the toughest fight of her career.”

Ellis Statham

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