Britain’s Cameron gives up world title to protest lack of equality

In protest of not being able to compete in the same manner as male competitors, Britain’s Chantelle Cameron has vacated her WBC light-welterweight title.

Women’s professional boxing title fights typically last 10 rounds, each lasting two, while men’s title fights last 12 rounds, each lasting three.

Women’s boxing has advanced far, but there is still work to be done, according to 34-year-old Cameron.

“I’ve always believed in equality, which includes having the option to fight in a situation where there are equal chances and respect.”

I’m proud of my win as a WBC champion, but it’s time to speak out and advocate for what’s right and the sport’s future.

Katie Taylor, from Ireland, informed the sanctioning body that she planned to take some time off from boxing, and last month, Cameron was promoted from “interim champion” to full WBC light-welterweight world champion.

Cameron has won 21 of his 22 fights since becoming a professional in 2017, is a former world lightweight champion, and holds a lightweight world title.

She defeated Taylor in her first career match in May of 2023, resulting in a six-month losing rematch.

Not only has a female boxer urged greater equality in the sport, but she is not the first.

More than 20 current and former women’s boxers and former world champions from the period, including former world champion Amanda Serrano, stated in a statement that they preferred title fights that lasted longer than 12×3 minutes.

Chantelle has never backed away from a fight, whether it be inside or outside the ring, according to Nakisa Bidarian, the Northampton fighter’s manager and co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions.

She is regarded as one of the sport’s elite fighters, and this choice speaks to her integrity. Chantelle and her commitment to promoting true parity in women’s boxing are unwaveringly in our hearts.