Mikaela Mayer paused for a moment, then a wry smile spread across her face as she recognized the source of the inquiry. "Ohhh Alyciaa," she replied, not to a reporter but to a familiar adversary – former undisputed champion Alycia Baumgardner, who had secured a front‑row seat at Thursday’s press conference in Birmingham ahead of Mayer’s highly anticipated world title clash with Chantelle Cameron. Baumgardner had just finished speaking herself, following the announcement of her own November 8 bout against Elif Nur Turhan.
Her question was pointed: she wanted to know how Mayer’s mindset had evolved, what she had learned, and why the upcoming Saturday night fight would be different – implicitly comparing it to their own past encounter. Mayer answered confidently, "I’ve gotten better and better, I’ve learned not to repeat the mistakes I made against you. When I step into the ring I’ll start fast, stay aggressive and won’t leave the outcome to the judges, because you can’t always rely on them." Mayer’s composure was notable, especially given that she had previously suffered a split‑decision loss to Baumgardner in their October 2022 unification bout at The O2, a fight Mayer still believes she won.
The brief exchange highlighted how the two athletes have moved beyond a simple rivalry; Baumgardner now appears to be charting a path toward a potential showdown with Caroline Dubois, provided both win their upcoming matches. On Saturday, however, the spotlight will be on Mayer and Cameron, two of the sport’s most technically gifted fighters, each chasing a historic achievement.
Mayer, who holds the WBA and WBC titles, and Cameron, the WBO super‑welterweight champion, will meet in what many are already dubbing a candidate for "Fight of the Year." "I’m at the stage in my career where these are the fights I truly want," Mayer said. "Our careers have had highs and lows, but we’ve always strived to bring out our best. We’ve fought our way back to the top and now we’re ready to prove it." The women's boxing landscape in 2026 offers few match‑ups that promise the same level of intrigue. Cameron, the only boxer to have defeated Katie Taylor in Taylor’s professional career, brings a narrative of redemption and ambition.
After a disappointing rematch loss to Taylor, Cameron has rebuilt herself and now stands as a formidable challenger for Mayer’s belts. Cameron echoed the sentiment of mutual respect, stating, "I think Mikaela is very good, she’s brilliant.
I’m a fan of hers. I watch her fights and enjoy them, which is why I wanted this bout – I want to fight the best. Styles make fights, and Mikaela’s style is different from Katie’s, so I think ours will create a great contest." Mayer, meanwhile, emphasized the breadth of her skill set, claiming that Cameron’s straightforward approach would be countered by her own versatility.
"I think I can do more. Her style is very direct; I have a more diverse toolbox.
If I need to adjust my game plan, I have the tools to do it. In big fights you sometimes have to adapt, and I’m prepared for that," she said. Beyond the main event, the card will also feature Caroline Dubois defending her WBC and WBO lightweight titles against American contender Amelia Moore. Dubois, who recently relocated to Los Angeles and overhauled her training team, spoke about her long‑term vision, hinting at a possible future clash with Baumgardner while insisting she never underestimates any opponent.
"I’m 100 percent confident. I’ve come a long way, changed my team, moved to LA, dedicated myself fully, and I’m excited. This is an opportunity to show the world why I’m the best at 135 lb," Dubois declared.
"I don’t overlook anyone. My goals are big – I want to become undisputed – and I’ll train as hard as possible to achieve that." The Saturday lineup promises a night of high‑stakes boxing, with the Mayer‑Cameron showdown positioned as the marquee attraction. Both athletes have faced setbacks – Cameron’s loss to Taylor and Mayer’s controversial decisions against Baumgardner and Natasha Jonas – yet they have each clawed their way back to the pinnacle of the sport.
As the anticipation builds, fans can tune in to watch the bout live on Sky Sports, or stream the event through a contract‑free boxing platform. The event not only offers a chance to witness two elite fighters clash, but also serves as a barometer for the future of women’s boxing, where talent, tenacity, and tactical nuance continue to elevate the sport to new heights.