Chantelle Cameron says Taylor defeat made her dangerous for Mayer

Chantelle Cameron believes her defeat by Katie Taylor has made her a more dangerous fighter ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Mikaela Mayer. The loss remains the only defeat of Cameron’s professional career, but she says it has also reduced the pressure surrounding her career.

Cameron defeated Taylor in 2023 to become undisputed, before losing their rematch. The Northampton boxer said the result was initially difficult to accept, although she has since changed her perspective. Having already reached the targets she set for herself, Cameron now feels that anything further is an added achievement rather than an obligation.

That change in attitude has allowed Cameron to approach boxing with greater freedom. She believes she can now enjoy the sport more because she no longer feels she has something to prove, and that mindset could make her a more effective opponent for Mayer.

Cameron has also returned to the training team of Jamie Moore and Nigel Travis after previously working with Grant Smith and Stephen Smith. She reunited with Moore and Travis for her most recent fight, defeating Michaela Kotaskova by unanimous decision in April, and has since settled permanently in Manchester. Cameron said the relationship with her trainers has brought greater happiness and stability.

The Kotaskova bout gave Cameron her first experience of 10 three-minute rounds. She had hoped to face Mayer over the same distance after learning how to manage the extra time, but the contest will instead use 10 two-minute rounds. Mayer’s unified super-welterweight championship will be at stake, with her WBC, WBO and WBA titles on the line.

Cameron accepted the shorter rounds but secured a 148-pound catchweight during negotiations. She remains disappointed that the fight will not use three-minute rounds, though she plans to return to that format after facing Mayer. Her April performance convinced her that she can maintain a higher pace over the longer rounds.