FORMER world champion Anthony Crolla says St James' Park would be the "dream venue" for Savannah Marshall and Claressa Shields' rematch - as talk of the sought after second fight between the pair picks up pace.

Marshall lost to long-time rival Shields in October but responded in style as she beat Franchon Crews-Dezurn in Manchester on Saturday night to become undisputed world super-middleweight champion.

Attention then immediately shifted to a Shields rematch, with the pair clashing in an entertaining war of words during Saturday's post-fight press conference.

Shields called for the fight to take place in the United States but that's likely to be a non-starter, with significantly more money on offer to female fighters in the UK.

Having won all the belts at super-middleweight, there are issues to be resolved with mandatory challengers for Marshall, but the Shields rematch is undoubtedly the biggest fight for both, with promoter Ben Shalom admitting at the weekend he'd love to stage it at St James' Park.

That would be a dream for Marshall.

After headlining arenas in Newcastle, London and Manchester, Marshall was asked by the BBC where she wants to fight next.

"I'm going to St James' Park," she replied.

The Northern Echo: Savannah Marshall celebrates after becoming the undisputed world super-middleweight champion

That is a mouthwatering prospect, says former world lightweight champion Crolla, but it would have to be Shields in the opposite corner.

"That's the dream venue," Crolla told 5Live's Boxing Podcast.

"A North-East girl fighting at St James' Park, wow. And they'll get behind her.

"Anytime a fighter fights at a football stadium, the football club jumps on the back of it. The Geordie fans are as loyal as they come and are known for how they come out and support their own, so they'll come out and get behind her.

"But then you feel it probably has to be that mega fight. Would it have to be Claressa 2 to make it at St James' Park. I think so."

Quizzed on the possibility of the rematch taking place in Newcastle, promoter Shalom said on Saturday night: "We wanted to do the first one in the North-East.

"It became such a big night and such a big international event it ended up being in the O2 in London.

"We'd love to make it happen. St James' Park was where we wanted the first fight. Let's see. The main thing is we want it in the UK. That's where it will be the biggest event for both fighters. Let's wait and see."