Chantelle Cameron gives up WBC title in demonstration against rules for women boxers
The super-lightweight champion voluntarily gave up her prestigious boxing title on Friday as an act of defiance against current regulations in women’s boxing, calling for the opportunity to fight in extended rounds similar to male boxers.
Protest against unequal treatment
Her choice to give up her championship belt stems from her firm stance with the WBC’s requirement that women participate in two-minute rounds, which the veteran boxer regards as unfair standards.
“Women’s boxing has come a long way, but there’s still room for improvement,” Cameron stated. “My conviction has always been in equality and that includes the choice to have identical rules, the same chances, and equal respect.”
History of the title
The fighter was promoted to world championship status when Katie Taylor was named “inactive champion” as she stepped away from boxing. The WBC was planning to hold a purse bid on that day for a match between the champion and fellow British boxer her potential opponent.
Earlier case
In December 2023, another female fighter similarly gave up her belt after the council refused to allow her to fight in matches under the equivalent rules as men’s boxing, with extended rounds.
WBC’s position
The council head, the president, had stated before that they would not sanction extended rounds in female matches. “For tennis women play three sets, for basketball the basket is shorter and the ball is smaller and those are less physical sports. We support the welfare of the athletes,” he commented on his platform.
Existing norm
The majority of female championship bouts have ten rounds of two minutes each each, and Cameron was part of over twenty fighters – including Serrano – who initiated an effort in recently to have the option to compete under the identical regulations as men fighters.
Career statistics
The boxer, who maintains a impressive fight record, emphasized that her protest goes beyond personal preference, describing it as a fight for coming generations of women fighters. “I feel proud of my achievement in becoming a world champion, but it’s time to take a stand for justice and for the boxing’s progression,” she concluded.
Coming actions
The athlete is not stepping away from boxing completely, however, with her representatives her promotion company saying she intends to seek other championship opportunities and marquee bouts while maintaining her insistence on fighting in longer duration fights.
