Chantelle Cameron vacates World Boxing Council belt in demonstration against women’s boxing rules
The British fighter voluntarily gave up her WBC super-lightweight title on recently as an act of defiance against current regulations in female boxing, calling for the right to fight in three-minute rounds similar to male counterparts.
Demonstration against unequal treatment
Her choice to vacate her title originates from her firm stance with the World Boxing Council’s requirement that women boxers fight in reduced rounds, which the veteran boxer regards as unfair standards.
“The sport for women has made great strides, but there’s still progress to be made,” the boxer declared. “I firmly believe in fairness and that includes the right to have identical rules, identical prospects, and equal respect.”
Context of the championship
The fighter was promoted to WBC super-lightweight world champion when Katie Taylor was categorized “temporary champion” as she stepped away from professional fighting. The WBC was set to have a purse bid on recently for a fight between the champion and fellow British boxer her potential opponent.
Earlier case
In the end of last year, another female fighter similarly gave up her championship after the organization refused to allow her to compete in matches under the same rule-set as men’s boxing, with extended rounds.
WBC’s position
The council head, Mauricio Sulaimán, had stated earlier in 2023 that they would not sanction extended rounds in women’s boxing. “For tennis they play 3 sets, in basketball the basket is shorter and the ball smaller and those are non-contact activities. We stand by the safety and wellbeing of the fighters,” he wrote on X.
Current standard
Most women’s title fights have 10 rounds of two minutes each each, and the fighter was among over twenty fighters – like Serrano – who started a movement in recently to have the option to compete under the equivalent conditions as male boxers.
Fighting history
Cameron, who holds a impressive fight record, made clear that her stand is more than her own wishes, describing it as a struggle for future generations of female boxers. “It’s an honor of my achievement in attaining a WBC champion, but it’s moment to make a statement for what’s right and for the boxing’s progression,” she added.
Future plans
The athlete is not retiring from boxing altogether, however, with her promoters her promotion company indicating she aims to chase alternative belt prospects and high-profile fights while maintaining her insistence on participating in extended rounds.
