Dimitry Salita discusses Jermaine Franklin, Claressa Shields and Otto Wallin
Vegas Insider caught up with Ukrainian boxing legend Dimitry Salita who warned that Dillian Whyte must not overlook ‘sleeping giant’ of heavyweight boxing, Jermaine Franklin. Whyte vs Franklin takes place on November 26 at Wembley, live on DAZN.
The boxer turned promoter also claimed history-making American Claressa Shields is the greatest woman boxer of all time and that her and Katie Taylor are ‘incomparable’, even stating Claressa 'GWOAT' Shields is the Muhammad Ali of her generation.
The former world title contender from Brooklyn also revealed the latest news about his heavyweight charge Otto Wallin, who has now joined forces with Derek Chisora, plotting a path to a potential Anthony Joshua showdown.
Here's what he had to say:
Dillian Whyte must not overlook ‘sleeping giant’ of heavyweight boxing, Jermaine Franklin:
"Whyte's plate is already full with Jermaine Franklin on Nov 26. If Whyte is looking past Franklin to a potential Joshua fight – that won't end well for him. Franklin is the sleeping giant of the heavyweight division and should not be underestimated.
"Whyte may have a lot to gain by defeating Franklin, but he also has a lot to lose. The pressure is on his shoulders. We respect Whyte, we know he's dangerous. We have great respect for Buddy McGirt – but when Jermaine follows in Tyson Fury's footsteps and knocks Dillian Whyte out, Whyte may need to consider his future at the top level, and maybe even consider retirement.
"Jermaine's plan is a simple one: come to Dillian Whyte's backyard, finish him in good fashion and then replace him in the consideration to face Anthony Joshua next year. He's capable of doing it. This is an unmissable fight. The winner could be next in line to face AJ."
Claressa Shields is the greatest woman boxer of all time and her and Katie Taylor are ‘incomparable’:
"There is no debate as to who the GWOAT (Greatest Woman of all Time), is. I am a big fan of Katie Taylor. She is a phenomenal fighter and a great person. She fought on events we co-promoted with Matchroom in NYC. I got to know her and I am a fan of Katie Taylor. With that being said, numbers and facts don’t lie. Claressa has taken women's boxing and women's sports to the next level of empowerment and equality. She is the only man or woman from the US to be a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist. She is the first woman ever in the US to be a main event on premium cable network television on Showtime in only her second professional fight. Her boxing resume of victories is unprecedented for man or woman, starting from her pro debut where she beat current unified world champion Franchon Crews, through to her last fight that was the most watched women's sporting event ever on Sky against Savannah Marshall. It was also the second highest watched boxing event man or woman since 2014."
Claressa Shields is the Muhammad Ali of her generation:
"The comparison is not even close. Claressa also constantly advocates for other women fighters to get the pay and recognition they deserve. The term GWOAT was non-existent until Claressa Shields. She is a historic figure, a Muhammad Ali of this generation, there will never be another one.
"As for the argument that Katie Taylor has been in bigger fights – that is objectively not accurate based on accomplishments and fan response in the US and UK and other territories judging by TV ratings."
Otto Wallin has joined forces with Derek Chisora and plots path to AJ showdown
"Otto Wallin has today joined forces with Derek Chisora in the UK ahead of Chisora's December date with Tyson Fury. Fury is the best heavyweight on the planet, so Derek will need all the help he can get, and he'll be getting great work with Otto. Derek will benefit from world class sparring and also from having the guy that gave Fury his toughest fight in camp with him. That said, with Tyson Fury at the peak of his powers it may take a minor miracle for Derek to upset the odds.
"It will be good work for Otto too, who is in the running to face Chisora's good friend Anthony Joshua next year. AJ told DAZN this week that he's open to the Wallin fight. We have an open dialogue with Matchroom. It's a fight that works on every level. AJ will want to surpass his British rival and do what Tyson Fury could not – and that's stop Otto Wallin. Promotionally Otto is also not tied up, he's ready to fight."
