Claressa Shields has wasted no time in providing an assessment on Savannah Marshall after arriving at London’s Heathrow Airport.
Shields defends her world titles against Ema Kozin next weekend as she makes a fighting return to Britain ten years after securing a well-deserved Olympic gold medal at the 2012 games.
Despite having an immediate threat in front of her in the shape of Kozin, the bigger target is undoubtedly Marshall.
The Hartlepool boxer is the only person to ever defeat Shields inside a boxing ring when she enjoyed success over the Michigan star as an amateur. A professional fight appears likely in 2022 and Shields has made her feelings about Marshall well known.
“She [Marshall] can say whatever she wants,” said Shields when speaking to Sky Sports shortly after arriving in the U.K.
“I'm a three-division world champion and she’s a one-time belt holder and only in one weight class.
"The only reason this fight is so huge is because of me. Two Olympic gold medals compared to zero is a big deal.”