BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom is on the verge of securing a major fight for cruiserweight Richard Riakporhe and says the enticing Claressa Shields vs Savannah Marshall showdown is close to being finalised for the UK
Friday 24 June 2022 17:05, UK
British fighters Savannah Marshall and Richard Riakporhe are close to securing major title showdowns.
Marshall has been in negotiations for an undisputed middleweight title clash with her great rival, US star Claressa Shields.
Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and multi-weight professional champion, is one of the finest fighters in the women's sport. But she has never fought Marshall as a pro. The Briton, with a 2012 amateur victory over Shields, is the only boxer to have beaten the American. Both would relish renewing hostilities in their long-running feud.
BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom is close to finalising the contest between Marshall, the WBO 160lb titlist, and Shields, who holds the IBF, WBA and WBC belts at the weight, in the UK on Sky Sports.
"It's not announced yet. There's a lot of speculation as to what's going on with that fight, we know it's going to be in the UK. A lot of people are speculating as to when it'll be," Shalom told Sky Sports News.
"[There'll be a] big press conference in London which I'm looking forward to. It's been a long time coming. It's been a lot longer for Savannah and Claressa than for me. They've been waiting for this their whole careers. The numbers, the anticipation for that, I think we're going to see something we've not seen before."
After demolishing Fabio Turchi so impressively earlier this month, London cruiserweight Richard Riakporhe is advancing towards a world title shot himself. Promoter Shalom is eyeing a fight with the WBC cruiserweight belt-holder Ilunga Makabu for Riakporhe later this year as well.
"We're very close [to a title fight]. Richard, that was his dream 12 months ago. He's now on the brink of it. He doesn't care which one it is. I prefer the WBC Makabu route. I think that's a perfect one for Richard," Shalom said.
"He [Riakporhe] looks the part, he looks as though he can take anyone on and he looks as though he can knock anyone out. I hope he will fight for a world title this year."
