Claressa Shields has dismissed the idea that her rival Savannah Marshall is truly ‘a champion’.
Shields is set to defend her titles against Slovenian fighter Ema Kozin on February 5th, but again had something to say for Britain’s Marshall. Her WBA, IBF and WBC middleweight titles will be on the line.
Were Shields to win - and she is the heavy favourite - the next logical fight would be an undisputed class with Marshall, the division’s WBO champion.
However, speaking to Sky Sports, she believes that WBO strap is really hers.
"Oh yeah [a fight vs Marshall is what Shields wants next]," she said.
"See this is the [WBO middleweight] belt that she fought for that was vacant because it was mine.
"This is my belt. So Savannah Marshall is not even considered a champion to me.
"I win, she wins her next fight, me and her scrap together next, that's what the plan is.
"She can say whatever she wants, I'm a three-time division world champion.
"She's a one-time belt holder, only in one weight class, and the reason that this fight is so huge is because of me.
"Two Olympic gold medals compared to zero is a big deal."