Promoter Dmitriy Salita has announced that Claressa Shields will not be fighting Savannah Marshall in the UK for their upcoming MMA bout. The two fighters, who have a history of rivalry from their boxing days, have verbally agreed to face off in the MMA ring following Marshall’s successful MMA debut and Shields’ victory over Marshall in a 2022 boxing match.
Salita emphasized the significance of their rivalry in advancing the sport and highlighted Shields’ previous journey to the UK to defeat Marshall. He suggests that it’s now Marshall’s turn to travel to the US or a neutral venue for their MMA fight.
While an MMA fight is on the horizon, Salita is also optimistic about a potential boxing rematch. However, Shields is currently focused on her upcoming boxing match against WBC heavyweight champion Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse in Detroit, aiming to become a four-weight world champion.
Salita also expressed interest in organizing a 5 vs 5 tournament featuring his promotional stable, potentially against BOXXER, with the Shields vs. Marshall fight headlining the event.