Katie Taylor targeted by Bellator fighter Cris Cyborg | Claressa Shields backed to be ‘great’ ahead of MMA debut | Boxing News

Cris Cyborg says she “doesn’t have an issue” with assembly Katie Taylor contained in the boxing ring – however a fantasy struggle should wait till subsequent yr.

Bellator combined martial artist Cyborg is amongst her sport’s greatest feminine fighters and has been linked by her promoter with a cross-codes conflict towards undisputed light-weight champion Taylor.

“[Bellator president] Scott Coker mentioned perhaps we do one boxing struggle and one MMA struggle,” Cyborg informed Sky Sports activities.

“I haven’t got an issue with that.

Book Mayweather vs Logan Paul now!

“If I’ve time to coach for boxing, I’ll haven’t any drawback. I really like challenges.

“Boxing is one among my goals.

“I do know Taylor is expert, I understand how good she is.

“I’ve nothing to lose.

“For a boxing struggle I would want time to focus simply on boxing. So I do not suppose it is going to be this yr as a result of I’ve quite a lot of MMA fights.

“Subsequent yr? Perhaps.”

Coker beforehand mentioned: “Why does it all the time need to be the MMA fighter going to turn into a boxer? Why cannot or not it’s the opposite manner round?

“In saying that, if Cyborg actually desires to struggle her, she desires to go to boxing and win a title? She desires to struggle Katie? We might step apart and allow them to get it on.

“We aren’t going to be those to cease this struggle from taking place.”

Taylor’s promoter Eddie Hearn has mentioned: “Cyborg can struggle, she will be able to field, she is heavy-handed. However she is heavy and that is a matter.”

Coker had issued a problem: “If Eddie Hearn desires to work out who’s the highest feminine fight star then perhaps he ought to give it some thought.”

Hearn replied: “Return the favour within the cage? Unlikely! Katie is a pure boxer.”

Taylor beforehand mentioned about Cyborg: “If the struggle was to occur, it might solely be within the boxing ring.

“She is a reputation that has been thrown round and I am very glad to step within the ring along with her if she’s open to that.”

Shields set for MMA debut

Claressa Shields could have her first combined martial arts struggle on June 10 with the Skilled Fighters League organisation.

“I imagine Claressa will do nice,” mentioned Cyborg. “She is younger, has time to study rather a lot.

“She has superb expertise in boxing and each [MMA fight] begins standing up.

“Her opponents need to watch out.”

Shields is the primary boxer to turn into undisputed in two divisions within the four-belt period, and has received boxing gold medals at consecutive Olympics.

She beforehand informed Sky Sports activities about switching sports activities: “I’m mixing the disciplines to see what makes me snug in changing into an incredible fighter in MMA.

“I’m a pure super-athlete and I study issues in a short time. I’ve by no means had a day in coaching the place the coach says: ‘You probably did terribly’.

“They’re amazed by how a lot I can eat in someday, how a lot I can work, work, work.

“If I do not perceive one thing, I’ve no drawback asking.

“I assumed that wrestling would the toughest factor but it surely’s all been a pleasure. All of it is smart to me.

“It is nonetheless a struggle, I simply have to face just a little bit in a different way. It is about your thoughts having the ability to swap from standing to being on the bottom, from arms to elbows. I’m a quick thinker.”