Chantelle Cameron Beats Katie Taylor on Points

Chantelle Cameron Beats Katie Taylor on Points

Chantelle Cameron fought the fight of her life on the biggest night of her life and inflicted the first defeat on the professional resume of Katie Taylor in Dublin on Saturday night.

Cameron needed a good start. And she got one. She started fast and put rounds in the bank and never let Taylor settle into any kind of rhythm. At least, not for long enough. Cameron prevailed by scores of 96-94, 96-94, and 95-95. This observer scored it 96-94 in favour of Cameron.

Body shots were the key, and there were fleeting moments when Cameron looked as though she might even stop Taylor. But the still undisputed lightweight champion finished strong, taking the 10th round, making the fight close enough for at least some nervousness in the Cameron corner. Taylor might have lost a step, but every bit of her desire remains.

Cameron had really strong rounds in the 7th and 9th, and for me, they left little doubt as to who had banked the most rounds. But in boxing, you never quite know. You did worry if the judges would be swayed by Taylor’s vocal and passionate faithful. The Irish superstar fought beyond hard at times, a typical Taylor dogfight. But Cameron more than matched her.

Taylor (22-1) appeared more flat-footed than normal, but equally, she would have been surprised by the hand speed and boxing ability of her opponent. At range, Cameron seemed to have her number. There were times when she even bullied Taylor against the ropes, landing big right hands and an uppercut that landed with effective frequency.

Cameron (18-0) retained her undisputed light-welterweight titles and will face Taylor again later this year. For once, a rematch nobody will complain about.

It wasn’t the perfect homecoming for Taylor. Her exile ended in defeat, and there are clear signs that the end is coming. It was another incredibly hard fight for her, and I’m not sure how much she has left to give. Fast approaching 37, retirement needs to be considered. There is a life after boxing. History tells us many fighters who linger too long, don’t get to enjoy that life.

But Cameron did everything right on the night it mattered the most. It’s her sweetest moment. Her sweetest victory. A fighter who very nearly walked away from the sport, and now sits proudly at the top of her sport. Cameron was in many ways, an afterthought in the build-up, hopefully, that narrative changes for the inevitable rematch. It needs to.

Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing