Chantelle Cameron voluntarily gave up her WBC super-lightweight title on recently as an act of defiance against the status quo in the sport for women, demanding the option to battle in extended rounds similar to men fighters.
Protest against disparity
Cameron’s decision to relinquish her championship belt originates from her strong opposition with the World Boxing Council’s requirement that women participate in two-minute rounds, which the veteran boxer considers unfair standards.
“Women’s boxing has come a long way, but there’s still work to be done,” she announced. “I’ve always believed in equal treatment and that includes the choice to compete under equal conditions, the same chances, and identical regard.”
Background of the belt
The British boxer was upgraded to world championship status when Katie Taylor was categorized “Champion in Recess” as she paused from boxing. The World Boxing Council was planning to hold a purse bid on Friday for a match between Cameron and other UK fighter her potential opponent.
Prior instance
In late 2023, fellow boxer Serrano also relinquished her WBC title after the council refused to allow her to fight in matches under the same rule-set as men’s boxing, with longer duration fights.
Council’s stance
The WBC president, Mauricio Sulaimán, had declared before that they would not authorize 12 three-minute rounds in female matches. “In tennis women play fewer sets, for basketball the hoop is lower and the ball is smaller and those are less physical sports. We stand by the welfare of the athletes,” he commented on X.
Current standard
Most women’s title fights have multiple rounds of two minutes each each, and Cameron was part of more than two dozen boxers – including Serrano – who launched a campaign in 2023 to have the right to compete under the equivalent conditions as men.
Career statistics
The boxer, who maintains a 21-1 professional boxing record, made clear that her protest goes beyond personal preference, describing it as a battle for coming generations of female athletes. “I’m proud of my accomplishment in earning a world champion, but it’s time to take a stand for equality and for the future of the sport,” she added.
Next steps
Cameron is not retiring from the sport entirely, however, with her management team her promotion company saying she plans to pursue other championship opportunities and high-profile fights while maintaining her insistence on fighting in longer duration fights.
