Chantelle Cameron decided to not wait out a purse bid to determine her future direction.
The two-tour 140lbs titlist from England has relinquished her WBC title, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) announced on Friday. Cameron and MVP cited the move as a necessity “in support of women’s boxing choice and equality,” just hours before her ordered title defense against countrywoman Sandy Ryan was scheduled for a purse bid hearing.
“Women’s boxing has come a long way, but there’s still progress to be made,” Cameron said in a statement provided by MVP. “I’ve always believed in equality, and that includes the choice to fight equal rounds, equal opportunities, and equal respect.
“I’m proud of my accomplishment in becoming a WBC champion, but it’s time to take a stand for what’s right and for the future of the sport.”
MVP stablemate and seven-division champ Amanda Serrano, 47-4-1 (31 KOs) has led the charge to normalize three-minute rounds rather than the standard two-minute limit assigned to women’s bouts. It makes sense for Cameron, 21-1 (8 KOs) – who signed with MVP earlier this year – to embrace that concept, though she’s yet to fight under those terms through 22 pro bouts.
The vacancy left Cameron without a single defense of the WBC 140lbs belt she reclaimed through attrition.
The 34-year-old Northampton native claimed an interim version of the belt in a win over Elhem Mekhaled last July 20 in Manchester. Two defenses followed, including a lopsided decision win over Jessica Camara on the July 11 Katie Taylor-Amanda Serrano undercard in New York City.
Cameron’s bout with Camara was fought over the women’s traditional 10, 2-minute round limit.
She was advanced to full titlist when Taylor, 25-1 (6 KOs) opted to not move forward with their WBC-ordered trilogy clash. Taylor vacated the WBC belt, though Cameron was immediately ordered to next face Ryan, 8-3-1 (3 KOs), a former WBO 147lbs titlist who moved back down to 140lbs for the sole purpose of challenging for the belt.
Ryan will now presumably face the next available contender in line for the vacant belt.
Cameron previously held the undisputed 140lbs championship, having fully unified the division in 2022 – five fights into her title reign. She successfully defended all of the titles in a May 2023 win over Taylor in Dublin, ruining the Irishwoman’s long-awaited homecoming. Taylor returned the favor with a narrow win in their November 2023 rematch, also in Dublin.
The two-fight series left Cameron and Taylor even and responsible the other’s lone career defeat.
Taylor still holds the balance of the major titles at 140lbs, which makes Cameron’s next move a curious one. She could either force a shot at one of Taylor’s other belts, or pursue a title fight either at lightweight or welterweight.
Either way, her latest decision came with the full support of her team.
“Chantelle has never backed down from a challenge, inside or outside the ring,” insisted MVP co-founder and CEO Nakisa Bidarian. “This decision underscores her integrity and her leadership as one of the sport’s elite fighters. MVP stands firmly behind Chantelle and her commitment to help drive women’s boxing toward true parity.”
