Claressa Shields has dampened hopes of a Newcastle stadium fight for Savannah Marshall after she activated her rematch clause.
Shields beat the Hartlepool fighter via unanimous decision in October of this year, headlining what was the first ever all-female UK boxing card.
Despite many fans believing beforehand that Marshall had the power to end the contest early, the section who said the American would outbox the home fighter were proved correct. Shields was crowned undisputed middleweight champion.
Marshall, though, wants another shot. On Soccer AM this weekend, she revealed that she had activated the rematch clause that was available to her in the contract, and that the broadcaster – Sky Sports – was keen to host it at St James’ Park, Newcastle.
Following that announcement, Shields responded – addressing both the location of said second fight as well as Marshall’s claim that she would outbox her this time around.
“I don’t know why she think she can outbox me, she can’t box, just a big power puncher … And Sky Sports and BOXXER – we are not fighting the UK. I whooped her! It’s time for her to get her traveling boots on and come to the USA that’s only way rematch going to get made!”
Idk why she think she can outbox me, she can’t box, just a big power puncher🤣 and @SkySportsBoxing & @boxxer we are not fighting the UK 🇬🇧 I whooped her! It’s time for her to get her traveling boots on and come to the USA 🇺🇸 that’s only way rematch going to get made! #GWOAThttps://t.co/iXk0SOaA1F
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) December 17, 2022
The double gold medalist’s demands, given the circumstances, are fair. She travelled to London as the away fighter and beat Marshall, so demanding a second fight takes place on home turf is her right.
Of course, it only matters what the contract says – and we’re likely to find that out soon, that’s if it happens at all. Despite Marshall being set on the second fight, Shields has also recently expressed interest in facing another British fighter in Natasha Jonas.