Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron | DAZN - 20 May 2023

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Katie Taylor Pushes For Chantelle Cameron Showdown To Preserve May 20 Dublin Date

Katie Taylor has not given up on her long overdue homecoming headliner.

The undisputed lightweight queen has pushed her team to come up with a contingency plan in the wake of a now-postponed rematch with Amanda Serrano. There remains a hold on May 20 at 3Arena in Dublin, where Taylor was prepared to defend her lightweight championship.

The fighting pride of Bray, Ireland is prepared to keep the date for what would mark her first-ever pro fight in her home country. It would mean a move up in weight, to challenge unbeaten and undisputed junior welterweight champion Chantelle Cameron in a blockbuster pound-for-pound showdown.

“Let’s go, Chantelle Cameron,” Taylor declared on Thursday in a statement posted on her verified social media account. “Happy to move up in weight for the opportunity to become two-weight undisputed champion.”

Taylor (22-0, 6KOs) was previously due to face Brooklyn’s Serrano (44-2-1, 30KOs) in a rematch to their 2022 Fight of the Year, which Taylor won by split decision last April 30 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The second act was announced immediately after Serrano’s historic win over Mexico City’s Erika Cruz to fully unify the featherweight division, with the Brooklyn-bred Boricua joined by Taylor in the ring to immediately promote their planned fight.

Serrano was forced to withdraw due to a pre-existing injury that has yet to fully heal. There have been talks of postponing Taylor-Serrano II until later this year, though Taylor is eager to return to the ring in lieu of going that long between fights. The Irish superstar registered her fourteenth overall title defense in a ten-round poins win over Argentina’s Karen Elizabeth Carabajal last October 29 at OVO Arena Wembley, in London.

The same venue hosted Taylor’s November 2016 pro debut. Fifteen of her 22 pro bouts have taken place in the UK, and the other seven in the U.S. She has yet to fight in Ireland despite serving as the nation’s most celebrated athlete, her popularity absurdly high dating back to her celebrated amateur career. Taylor was the driving force behind women’s boxing being included in the Olympics, having struck Gold in 2012 London and also represented Ireland in 2016 Rio before turning pro later that year.

Taylor’s pro career has been just as storied. The 36-year-old superstar is a combined 16-0 spanning two weight divisions, including a pit stop at junior welterweight when she won the WBO title in a November 2019 points win over Christina Linardatou. The win came five months after Taylor fully unified the lightweight division, having since made seven defenses of the undisputed crown.

Cameron (17-0, 8KOs) rapidly rose to champion and pound-for-pound status through less than six years as a pro.

The 31-year-old from Northampton, England—aptly nicknamed ‘Il Capo’—claimed her first major title in a ten-round shutout win over Adrian dos Santos Araujo in their October 2020 vacant WBC junior welterweight title fight.

Four successful defenses have followed for Cameron, who is also promoted by Matchroom Boxing.

The run includes a ten-round nod over IBF titlist Mary McGee in their October 2021 unification bout. The final step toward undisputed status came in a competitive but clear decision win over undisputed welterweight champion Jessica McCaskill, who dropped down in weight for their championship last November 5 in Abu Dhabi.

Cameron does not presently have a fight scheduled. She was previously ordered to make a mandatory title defense versus Linardatou, who abandoned talks to instead face former unified 130-pound champ Mikaela Mayer in a lightweight non-title fight on April 15 at Copper Box Arena. The development left Cameron with a voluntary defense and with a burning desire to fill the void left behind by Serrano.

“I’m more than happy to accept,” noted Cameron. “Like you, I only want to fight the best. I'm not difficult to deal with so this fight can be signed, sealed and delivered in 24hours. DAZN, Matchroom Boxing, [head trainer] Jamie Moore, (Matchroom VP) Frank Smith, Eddie Hearn—let’s go.”

It is probably the one area where Cameron and Taylor agree.

“Let’s get it done, Eddie Hearn,” Taylor challenged her career-long promoter. “This homecoming has waited long enough.”

[joshj909]

This is a big threat for Taylor. Although she beat Cameron in the Amateurs, Cameron is a lot fresher in the pros and naturally slightly bigger which gives her the chance of beating the obviously declining Taylor. Credit where it's due, Taylor has one of the best resume's in boxing history when you look at belts, rankings and records only.

We don't want to see her against anyone but these:

• Cameron - Serrano II - Baumgardner - Mayer - McCaskill II - Mossely - Braekhus

That would have seen her clear out all of the achievable weightclasses for a generation.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Taylor doesn't normally speak out much..

[gregregegg]

Wildcard Katy taylor vs Kellie Harrington is what i want. about 1000-1 odds of it happening but.

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Hearn Exploring The Fight, Aims To Make It

"Katie will fight anyone. I guess the only fighter there has ever been a question mark over whether she would fight her or not is Chantelle Cameron. But behind the scenes I know Taylor has always been up for that," Hearn told Metro.co.uk.

"Once Chantelle got in a position for that to be a mega fight, that’s the fight. Amanda Serrano is injured and not ready and I don’t think Katie wants to wait for that fight which could now be August or September. She wants the homecoming fight, let’s make it happen.

"Now we are in talks with DAZN to see if we can make it happen. Both sides have agreed, they haven’t agreed on the money yet but that is something we hope we will be able to overcome but I think there is a very good chance you see that fight on 20 May."

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Hearn: "I Believe There's A Good Chance We Can Get Taylor-Cameron Over The Line"

“We’re looking at that homecoming,” Hearn said in an in-house interview posted on the Matchroom Boxing YouTube channel. “The 3Arena is available. Chantelle came back and said she wants to do it. We’ve got to agree on the money on both sides. We’re not a million miles away.

“But you’ve seen the reaction from that fight. It’s a tremendous fight. I think it can be a tougher fight than Amanda Serrano. Chantelle Cameron is a bigger fighter, she punches very hard. She’s believed for a very long time she wins that fight. Fair play to Katie Taylor. She’s incredible. You got Alycia Baumgardner, the undisputed champion one division below. I believe there’s a good chance we can get Taylor-Cameron over the line [this] week.”

“It was quite unusual for Katie to call out a fighter,” admitted Hearn, Taylor’s career-long promoter. “We know behind the scenes, she’ll fight anybody. There’s always that perception that Chantelle Cameron was a tough fight. I always said when Chantelle Cameron racked up the belts, she would be the frontrunner. That’s exactly what happened. She’s undisputed at 140 pounds. It’s a tremendous fight. Katie Taylor, looking at that Amanda Serrano injury, said she wants to fight on that May 20 date.

“We need to sit down with DAZN and go through that schedule. They already came back and said we need strength, May particularly. That was a big fight on the schedule and that needs to be replaced.”

[stujones]

I honestly think Cameron might cause the upset here - think Taylor will still have one eye on Serrano and isn't getting any younger.

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[ashall2]

Taylor struggles with volume - Serrano, Persoon etc. Cameron could send a glass eye to sleep. Wide Taylor UD.

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More or less confirmed now

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Katie Taylor-Chantelle Cameron title bout set for May 20

Katie Taylor's homecoming fight in Ireland on May 20 has a new opponent -- undisputed junior welterweight champion Chantelle Cameron.

Cameron, ESPN's No. 7 pound-for-pound fighter, will now fight Taylor, the undisputed lightweight champion from Bray, Ireland, and ESPN's No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter, at the 3Arena in Dublin, Matchroom Boxing announced on Saturday.

The fight is for Cameron's undisputed junior welterweight titles, meaning Taylor will step up in weight.

Taylor had won the WBO junior welterweight title once before, in 2019, when she beat Christina Linardatou. Now she's going up in weight again to fight Cameron after Amanda Serrano pulled out of the fight last month because of a hand injury.

Taylor and Cameron -- who both are promoted by Matchroom Boxing -- each posted about the possibility on Instagram last week, saying they wanted to fight and get a deal done. A little over a week later, it has been announced.

"Once Serrano pulled out this was the natural fight to make," Taylor said. "It's two undefeated, reigning undisputed world champions going up against each other and I believe that's the first time that's ever happened in the modern era of the sport.

"People have been talking about this fight for a long time now so I'm delighted it's happening and I'm looking forward to becoming a two-weight undisputed champion in Dublin on May 20."

"It feels surreal that the fight is actually happening," Cameron said. "It feels like my whole professional career has been based around this fight and I never imagined it would actually happen for one reason or another."

Taylor, 36, has never fought in Ireland as a professional after a standout amateur career including a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics. Taylor is one of Ireland's biggest sports stars but now resides in Connecticut to do her training.

Taylor (22-0, 6 KO) last fought in October when she beat Karen Elizabeth Carabajal at Wembley Arena in the United Kingdom. She and Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn said then they wanted her next fight to be in Ireland.

"It's time to return to Ireland now," Hearn said after the Carabajal fight. "Whoever it is against, the next fight has to be Ireland." That was expected to be Serrano -- the Taylor-Serrano rematch was announced following Serrano's Feb. 4 win over Erika Cruz in New York City -- but then Serrano had to pull out. The hope was they would still be able to keep the date for Ireland for Taylor, and Cameron stepped in.

There had been hopes of holding the Taylor-Serrano fight at Croke Park in Dublin as well, but that plan fell through. When Taylor-Serrano was postponed, both Taylor's and Serrano's teams said they would discuss rescheduling the fight.

The 31-year-old Cameron (17-0, 8 KO) last fought in November, when she beat Jessica McCaskill in Abu Dhabi to become the undisputed junior welterweight champion. This will be Cameron's first defense of her undisputed title.

"I'm no stranger to boxing away from home now, and to be going into Katie's backyard for her homecoming is massive," Cameron said. "I'm glad to be a part of history again like I was in Abu Dhabi. I know what I will be up against and that I am the underdog, but I relish that. The fight will be electric. We both are experienced, we are both game and we are both coming to win.

"To successfully defend my belts against Taylor will be the icing on the cake for me. To become undisputed and then defend them against the pound-for-pound best in women's boxing will really mark my place in women's boxing and create my own legacy."

[joshj909]

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Press Release

Terri Harper will defend her WBA Super-Welterweight World Title against former world pound-for-pound No.1 Cecilia Braekhus on the undercard of Katie Taylor’s historic homecoming clash with Chantelle Cameron at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday May 20, live worldwide on DAZN.

Former WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight World Champion Harper (13-1-1 6 KOs) won the WBA 154lbs World Title by widely outpointing Scotland’s Hannah Rankin at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham in September last year – her first fight up at Super-Welterweight.

Norway’s Braekhus (37-2, 9 KOs), a former undisputed ruler at 147lbs, is attempting to become a two-division World Champion. ‘First Lady’, a modern pioneer of women’s boxing, held the WBC and WBA World Titles at Welterweight from 2009 to 2020, also picking up the WBO Title in 2010 and the IBF Title in 2014.

Braekhus lost the titles by majority decision to Jessica McCaskill in August 2020 in Downtown Tulsa, USA and lost again to ‘CasKILLA’ in a rematch at the American Airlines Center in Dallas in March 2021. McCaskill is the only fighter to have beaten Braekhus as a professional.

“This fight has been a long time coming but it will be worth the wait to be on such an amazing card,” said Harper. “All eyes around the world will be watching that night and I want to show everyone who Terri Harper is.”

"I'm very excited to challenge Terri Harper for the WBA 154lb. World Title on this tremendous card, my first time fighting in Ireland," said Braekus. "I've spent my entire career facing the toughest challenges and

this fight is another chapter."

“I’m delighted to announce the first undercard fight for what will be one of the greatest nights of boxing in Irish history on Saturday May 20 – and what a fight!” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Two-weight World Champion Terri Harper gets the biggest fight of her life as she makes the first defence of her WBA Super-Welterweight World Title against former pound-for-pound No.1 and undisputed Welterweight ruler Cecilia Braekus.

“Two unbelievable World Title fights already confirmed for Katie Taylor’s historic homecoming fight against undisputed Super-Lightweight Champion Chantelle Cameron and there’s still so much more to come. We’re building an incredible show on May 20 and we will be confirming the next undercard fight tomorrow - it’s another cracker! Roll on May 20 live worldwide on DAZN.”

“It is an honour to prepare Terri for a contest with arguably one of the greatest females of all time in Cecilia Braekhus,” said trainer and manager Stefy Bull. “This has just got a whole lot more exciting now we are sharing a bill with what I believe has the potential to be the best and most thrilling fight female boxing can deliver in Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron. Two of the best female fighters on the planet in an undisputed vs. undisputed clash – May 20 is going to be one hell of a night.”

"Cecilia has accomplished so much as the long reigning undisputed Welterweight Champion, we are excited that she is now getting this opportunity to challenge Teri Harper for the WBA Super-Welterweight World Title," said Tom Loeffler.

"Cecilia is one of the most accomplished female boxers in the sport with 3 Guinness Book World Records, we're excited to work with Eddie, Matchroom and DAZN again for Cecilia being on this tremendous show in Dublin, Ireland."

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DENNIS HOGAN TO DEFEND WORLD TITLE AGAINST JAMES METCALF ON HUGE KATIE TAYLOR SHOW

Katie Taylor is not the only fighter having a homecoming on May 20th.

Dennis Hogan will defend his IBO super-welterweight world title against James Metcalf on the undercard of Katie Taylor’s huge homecoming undisputed clash with Chantelle Cameron at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday May 20, live worldwide on DAZN.

The Irishman, who is based in Newstead, Australia, returns home to fight in Ireland for the first time in his professional career and heads into his maiden defence of the IBO 154lbs title on a three-fight winning streak, most recently outpointing Sam Eggington over 12 rounds at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre last October.

“Firstly, thank you to Eddie Hearn and everyone at Matchroom for having me on this iconic card on May 20,” said Hogan. “I’m excited to be returning to Ireland to defend my world title against JJ Metcalf. This is a truly special moment for me, not only to be on the card with Katie Taylor who is an Irish superstar, but it will be the first time I will be fighting as a professional in Ireland. See you soon Dublin.”

“I've always wanted to box in Ireland and never quite got the chance, so to be boxing on one of the biggest boxing events in Irish history for a world title is a dream come true,” said Metcalf.

“I'm expecting the fight to be a tough fight, cagey at times, but it will catch fire and hopefully the fans get to see a great fight. A win for my career here will mean everything to me. Everything I’ve done since my first amateur fight at the age of 11 would have all been worth it, it also lines me up for some massive fights.”

“Dennis Hogan against JJ Metcalf for the IBO super-welterweight world title is another fantastic war for our monster May 20 event in Dublin,” said Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn. “We’ve seen Dennis in with the likes of Jaime Munguia, Jermall Charlo and Tim Tszyu and he comes to fight every time. He returns home to fight in Ireland for the first time in his career in what will be a truly special night.”

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[maverick23]

Could be a real fun fight.

[watsupdoc87]

If hogans not too far gone i think he squeaks it

[Glass Joe]

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Hearn looks very rough

[Monzon83]

Can't we have a separate board for this shite. Women's boxing isn't relevant to many of us.

It's basically a different sport so it should be kept apart from actual boxing content.

[Coco]

Taylor prob peaked in the amateurs, obviously has had huge success in the pros too but that is more down to lack of competition.
Still for me the GOAT in women's boxing but will prob end up losing to a lesser fighter, hopefully she will have made her money by then.

[JamesPhilips]

This is a big threat for Taylor. Although she beat Cameron in the Amateurs, Cameron is a lot fresher in the pros and naturally slightly bigger which gives her the chance of beating the obviously declining Taylor. Credit where it's due, Taylor has one of the best resume's in boxing history when you look at belts, rankings and records only.

We don't want to see her against anyone but these:

• Cameron - Serrano II - Baumgardner - Mayer - McCaskill II - Mossely - Braekhus

That would have seen her clear out all of the achievable weightclasses for a generation.

Lol imagine caring about womens boxing. These girls would get flattened by 15 yr old male amateurs it’s pathetic.

And on this bill out of 4 confirmed fights 3 are women’s fights. You’d have to pay me (really) to attend. Even a free ticket wouldn’t be enough for me to go.

[joshj909]

This is a big threat for Taylor. Although she beat Cameron in the Amateurs, Cameron is a lot fresher in the pros and naturally slightly bigger which gives her the chance of beating the obviously declining Taylor. Credit where it's due, Taylor has one of the best resume's in boxing history when you look at belts, rankings and records only.

We don't want to see her against anyone but these:

• Cameron - Serrano II - Baumgardner - Mayer - McCaskill II - Mossely - Braekhus

That would have seen her clear out all of the achievable weightclasses for a generation.

Lol imagine caring about womens boxing. These girls would get flattened by 15 yr old male amateurs it’s pathetic.

And on this bill out of 4 confirmed fights 3 are women’s fights. You’d have to pay me (really) to attend. Even a free ticket wouldn’t be enough for me to go.

Plenty of the lower male weightclasses would get flattened by amateur heavyweights. Do people still watch? Plenty of people also watch amateur boxing aswell. You're complaining about something that nobody is forcing you to watch.

[maverick23]

This is a big threat for Taylor. Although she beat Cameron in the Amateurs, Cameron is a lot fresher in the pros and naturally slightly bigger which gives her the chance of beating the obviously declining Taylor. Credit where it's due, Taylor has one of the best resume's in boxing history when you look at belts, rankings and records only.

We don't want to see her against anyone but these:

• Cameron - Serrano II - Baumgardner - Mayer - McCaskill II - Mossely - Braekhus

That would have seen her clear out all of the achievable weightclasses for a generation.

Lol imagine caring about womens boxing. These girls would get flattened by 15 yr old male amateurs it’s pathetic.

And on this bill out of 4 confirmed fights 3 are women’s fights. You’d have to pay me (really) to attend. Even a free ticket wouldn’t be enough for me to go.

You could make the same argument re: male teenagers beating top women at most sports. Does that mean you won’t watch them either?