Let’s bring this unification fight to the North East.
Not so much a question or even a plea, this is an order. It’s from Peter Fury, the man who conquered the world with Tyson Fury and plans to do the same with Savannah Marshall in the heaven-sent middleweight confrontation with Claressa Shields.
Unbelievably it’s almost a week since Marshall removed the last barrier to the mega-fight by knocking out the challenger for her WBO belt, Femke Hermans, in three rounds in Newcastle.
“I can’t wait for that fight to happen,” said the coach.
“It’s a tough fight, the hardest of Savannah’s career, but it’s also the hardest fight of Claressa’s career, so let’s get it on.
“These women are two superstars of boxing and I can’t wait for it.
“It’s the biggest fight ever in women’s boxing.
“It’s absolutely massive what Savannah’s achieving and the support she gets in the North-East is fantastic, that’s why she’s coming up here all the time.
“Let’s bring this unification fight to the North-East.
“The people up here really get behind their fighters – it’s wonderful to come up here and be part of this.
Why indeed?
It’s the obvious decision though the owner of the WBA, WBC and IBF belts, not to mention two Olympic gold medals, was not keen on returning to Tyneside, certainly not getting through the ropes with gloves on.
Shields would rather meet Marshall in London, either at the 02 or Wembley.
Her support would still be heavily outnumbered though the hostility factor may not be as strong.
“Devastation wasn’t it?” Fury told punch-lines. “You don’t see that in women’s boxing.
“Boxing has a superstar in Savannah Marsahall, she’s a devastating finisher.”
Fury though scoffs at the notion that the Silent Assassin is only about power.
“Savannah can box, look at the way she walks on top of opponents, she takes everything away from them,” he said.
“She boxes to orders as well. The first round was just a skirting around exercise, second round she got behind her jab, third round I told her to close the distance down and get Femke to throw shots, make it a bit messy.
“I said ‘do that and you’ll catch her’ and that’s what she did.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Lawrence Lustig/ BOXXER
