Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron: Unfinished Business

Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron: Unfinished Business

Within seconds of Katie Taylor exacting sweet revenge over Chantelle Cameron in November 2023, there was that lingering feeling that it was still very much unfinished business, despite some clearly hoping, that is exactly how it would stay. As of right now, it still very much remains that way. 2025 is the year that it becomes a case of now or never.

It was an emotional night in Dublin. A passionate Irish crowd roared their hero to victory. It was beyond loud in that cauldron that is the 3Arena. A close compact venue that is tailor-made for such grand sporting occasions. As Taylor celebrated a famous victory, Cameron slipped away unnoticed, an almost forgotten part of the occasion. The supposed supporting act had ruined the homecoming party six months earlier. An unexpected and unwelcome winner the first time around was now seemingly put back in her rightful place. But Cameron decided that she wouldn’t go away quietly. In fact, she wouldn’t go away, period.

There was initial encouragement that all parties realised that it was indeed unfinished business. But despite Cameron drastically reducing her financial demands, the trilogy fight couldn’t get over the line. A mystery that defied belief at the time. When an old foe came calling once again, Taylor then took the highly lucrative rematch with Amanda Serrano. Taylor survived another close call against Serrano in November, and the new year begins yet again with, is Serrano or Cameron next up for Katie Taylor. It’s the same old narrative that one fighter will be hoping it’s rinse and no repeat.

In recent days, Taylor has gone on the record saying she is up for fighting either Serrano or Cameron this year. You’d hope or suspect, depending on your point of view, that at some point in 2025, both will again have the opportunity to run it back with Taylor. It might just be a case of who gets there first.

Serrano has her claims. And crucially, the Jake Paul effect behind her. The Paul connection and the money that he brings probably puts the Puerto Rican in pole position to face Taylor again later this year.

But Cameron is almost certainly the more deserving of the two fighters. While Serrano has lost both fights against Taylor, Cameron is tied at one win apiece in her personal rivalry with the Irish superstar. Cameron is also the WBC mandatory challenger to Taylor. Surely, that should mean something. In truth, it should mean everything.

“I know I can and will beat Katie Taylor again.” Cameron has told me previously. Despite other viable options, Taylor is her number one target. “Nobody likes losing. I certainly don’t, and I made it a close fight despite everything that happened in the fight. If I’m given the chance to put the wrongs right. I’ll be the undisputed champion once again.” The words of a fighter who is desperate for revenge and redemption. Ignoring the possible riches of doing a third fight with Serrano, if that is possible of course, surely Taylor sees the prospect of removing all doubt with Cameron a little more enticing than another fight with Serrano. As I have previously written, if Serrano does win a third fight, do they then do a fourth fight? Do we then see a fifth fight if Serrano makes it two wins apiece? When will it end?

Taylor, with a little help from the governing bodies, will decide who she fights next and when. The likes of Natasha Jonas, Mikaela Mayer, Alycia Baumgardner, and others have expressed an interest in fighting Taylor. But it does appear to be a straight shootout between Serrano and Cameron. The odds say that Serrano will win the Katie Taylor sweepstake, but Chantelle Cameron, if boxing works the way it should do, should be the one who gets the first opportunity to complete a trilogy in 2025.

Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing