Women's Boxing has made significant strides over the last decade that has seen the sport for women receive long overdue recognition as well as mainstream attention. One of the most notable fighters that has led the charge in this era has been former Olympic Gold medalist and current Undisputed Lightweight champion of the world Katie Taylor.
Taylor has become one of the biggest stars in the sport both due to her dominance in the Lightweight division as well as her willingness to fight anyone in and around the division. Many likely remember Taylor taking part in a true groundbreaking moment for the sport when she scored a close decision victory over Undisputed Featherweight world champion Amanda Serrano in April 2021. A fight that was not only an all-time classic, but more importantly before a sellout crowd, one that marked the first time that a woman's bout main evented a Boxing card in the main arena in New York’s Madison Square Garden. As Taylor's dominance of the Lightweight division has continued, in search of a challenge, she moved up in weight to challenge undefeated Undisputed Jr. Welterweight world champion Chantelle Cameron earlier this year in her home country of Ireland.
Despite having what amounted to a home field advantage over the champion in May of this year, Taylor was unable to come away with a victory. In what was a close and competitive fight, it was Cameron who outworked Taylor over the course of the ten round world championship bout to retain her undisputed championship via majority decision. In doing so, Cameron not only scored what many felt was an upset given Taylor's standing in the sport, but also handed the Undisputed Lightweight queen the first loss of her career.
Rather than going back to the Lightweight division and look to continue her reign, Taylor will instead attempt to avenge her defeat when she faces Cameron for a second time. A rematch that will take place on November 25th in Dublin, Ireland and can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN.
The story of this rematch is simple, can Taylor avenge her first career loss or will Chantelle Cameron be able to get a second victory over a future Hall of Famer? A misconception that this observer believes was exposed in the first fight between these two world champions is that even though Katie Taylor had a considerably higher profile and what amounted to a home field advantage, Cameron was also an undefeated, undisputed world champion in her division going into that fight, and was able to show that she herself is a world-class boxer that belonged in the ring with someone of Taylor's caliber.
This time around, the scenario is almost identical to what it was like for Cameron going into the first fight. Despite her victory over Taylor, there are some that view her as an underdog going into the rematch, much like how even though she was the defending champion the first time around, there were some that did not think she had much of a chance. As was the case in the first fight, the rematch will also take place in Taylor's home country of Ireland giving her once again, the theoretical home field or to be more appropriate “Home Ring" advantage. Cameron proved however, she could win under those conditions and did win the first fight. With that knowledge, she is not likely to feel intimidated going into fight two.
What this will boil down to in my eyes is whether Taylor will be able to control the tempo of the combat and be able to use her lateral movement and combination punching, two cornerstones of her Boxing style, to try and out box Cameron. There were periods in the first fight where Taylor was able to implement this approach, but she could not sustain it for the duration, which allowed Cameron to come on in the middle and late rounds to secure the victory. Taylor must be elusive and be tactical in her approach in this fight because if she gives up any ground, Cameron will look to take advantage as was the case in the first encounter. Whether Cameron can limit Taylor's movement again as she was able to in the first fight and try to get a more conclusive victory remains to be seen.
2023 has been another year that has marked progress for Women's Boxing. Will Cameron-Taylor II be regarded as another classic in the continued progression for the sport and possibly lead to a third chapter? We will find out on Saturday, November 25th.
“And That's The Boxing Truth."
Cameron vs. Taylor II takes place on Saturday, November 25 at 3 Arena in Dublin, Ireland. The fight as well as its full undercard can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 11:05AM ET/8:05AM PT with Before The Bell, which will feature preliminary bouts. This will be followed by the main card, which will begin at 2PM ET/11AM PT.
(*U.S. Times Only.*)
(*Card and Start Times Subject to Change.*
For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.
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