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One of the most remarkable outcomes of Saturday’s fight in Dublin’s 3A Arena between Katie Taylor and Chantelle Cameron billed as a “homecoming” for the Irish star Taylor, was that Cameron, from the U.K., was able to win a decision there. We saw only last week one of the worst stoppages in memory in the Rolly Romero-Ismael Barroso fight, and a decision win for American Devin Haney, also Saturday, over Vasiliy Lomachenko of Ukraine, in Las Vegas, which had the majority of the fans loudly and vociferously booing the verdict. Even boxing can’t screw up every decision, or tailor them to suit the perceived business needs of the promoters and networks.
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Why hadn’t Katie Taylor fought in Dublin before?
Katie Taylor, of course, had never before fought professionally in her home country because of the dangers that led to the collapse of Irish pro boxing following the 2016 Regency Hotel shootings at a boxing weigh-in in the midst of the bloody feud between the Kinahan and Hutch drug gangs. A 2012 Olympic gold medalist representing Ireland, and coming into this fight with a 22-0 record, Taylor has long been regarded as the most popular athlete in any sport in Ireland. Imagine Anthony Joshua never having fought professionally in the U.K., or Floyd Mayweather or Oscar De La Hoya never having fought in the U.S. Given that boxing has a greater relative influence in the culture and sports milieu in Ireland than in the U.S., the magnitude of Taylor’s de facto boxing exile should be clear.
In the end, Cameron won by a majority decision. Two judges had it 96-94 for her, while one judge, predictably, had it even as 95-95. Cameron would have needed to decapitate Taylor to get a unanimous decision.
Cameron thus kept all her 140-pound belts, where she is recognized as being undisputed champion. Taylor also kept all her lightweight belts, where she is also recognized as undisputed champion, since this fight was fought at 140 pounds. Cameron remains unbeaten at 18-0 with 8 KOs, while Taylor lost for the first time as a pro, with her record now 22-1 with 6 KOs.
Cameron’s key to victory
This was really not a close fight, with most reasonable and knowledgeable people scoring it 97-93 or 96-94 for Cameron. In fact, Cameron had compiled a massive lead through seven rounds, before fading a little and losing the eighth and tenth rounds.
The key to Cameron’s victory was
The key to Cameron’s victory was the game plan devised by her and head trainer Jamie Moore. They called it “ambush mode”. Cameron explained this in an interview after the fight. “Obviously I knew I couldn’t box Katie,” she said. “She’s a better boxer than me. She can box my ears off, but she can’t fight like me.” (1)
And fight she did. From the opening bell, Cameron stalked and pressured Taylor, taking the center of the ring, landing first, outworking her, and stymying Taylor’s limited offense. Cameron utilized her size and reach advantage, but won most of the exchanges fighting both on the inside and at longer range. Taylor was a step behind her for most of the fight, and did not even use her jab effectively.
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Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron quick results
Get the full live Cameron vs Taylor results here.
- Chantelle Cameron MD-10 Katie Taylor (95-95, 96-94, 96-94) — Undisputed Female Super Lightweight Title
- Jose Felix DEF. Gary Cully via TKO-3 (2:34)
- James Metcalf DEF. Dennis Hogan: UD-12 (117-110, 117-110, 115-112) — IBO World Super-Welterweight Title
- Caoimhin Agyarko DEF. Grant Dennis: UD-10 (100-90, 100-90, 100-90)
- Thomas Carty DEF. Jay McFarlane: TKO-3 (2:58) — Celtic Heavyweight Title
- Paddy Donovan DEF. Sam O’maison: KO/TKO, Corner Stoppage (Towel)-6 (2:13)
- MaiseyRose Courtney DEF. Kate Radomska: via Points-6 (58-57)
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