Chantelle Cameron has publicly requested a rematch against Mikaela Mayer under three‑minute rounds after securing a unanimous decision victory that crowned her the unified WBA, WBC and WBO super‑welterweight champion at the MVPW‑06 event in Birmingham. The British fighter edged the American on the judges' cards with scores of 97‑93, 97‑93 and 96‑94, a result that further solidified her reputation among the sport’s most celebrated female pugilists. The buildup to the bout was anything but calm.
At the weigh‑in the night before the fight, Cameron and Mayer erupted into a heated confrontation that required security personnel to intervene and separate the two athletes. The tension that simmered during that encounter seemed to spill over into the ring, and Cameron believes the pre‑fight drama may have actually worked in her favour on fight night. During the post‑fight press conference, Cameron explained her desire for a three‑minute round rematch, stating, “She wanted the weight, she wanted the two‑minute rounds, she wanted to have her name first – which is fine because we’re not going to get into that.
If we want the rematch we have to do three‑minute rounds. I’ll speak to my team; I would like to do three‑minute rounds, and if that means vacating the WBC belt again I don’t mind doing that.” Her willingness to relinquish a world title underscores how strongly she feels about standardising round length in women’s boxing to match the men’s format.
Cameron, who remains the only woman to have defeated Katie Taylor in the Irish star’s professional career, described the victory as her best win to date. Yet she was quick to temper any talk of her being the greatest female boxer of all time, acknowledging the legendary status of Claressa Shields.
“I’ll say it’s my best win, I really enjoyed it tonight,” she said. “I still think Claressa Shields is the best, I won’t be deluded. Mikaela would, but Claressa is still No. 1.” The rivalry between Cameron and Mayer has already produced several memorable moments.
After the final bell, Mayer disputed the judges’ decision, insisting she had out‑boxed Cameron on her own turf. “I did beat you, Chantelle. You are lucky in your little backyard,” Mayer shouted.
“You can have your rematch, three‑minute rounds. If you want to vacate your WBC belt you can do that.
It’s your prerogative now. I’ll just kick your ass even harder. But it won’t be here.
It won’t be in the UK. If you want to come to the US you can.” Cameron responded with characteristic bravado, telling Sky Sports, “I just wanted to play with [Mayer].
If you’re going to say you’ll stop me, beat me easily… talk is so cheap, and I showed that tonight. Don’t talk too much game – you’ve got to back it up. I want to do this again.
It’s up to Mikaela, but I want three‑minute rounds.” She continued to taunt her opponent, adding, “You were talking so much nonsense I actually fell asleep for a second! Three‑minute rounds, let’s do it. Go back to the gym, work on your power, work on your fitness, work on your speed, work on your boxing – make some improvements, because your team aren’t doing a great job, are they? You’re boring – go home!” MVP co‑founder Nakisa Bidarian welcomed the prospect of a second meeting, noting that Cameron has also expressed interest in future bouts with other elite fighters such as Claressa Shields and Lauren Price.
“If she’s not the GWOAT, she’s one of the top two or three ever,” Bidarian remarked, emphasizing Cameron’s place in the sport’s modern pantheon. Cameron’s trainer, former champion Jamie Moore, hinted that the champion might be prepared to vacate the WBC title if the governing body does not allow a three‑minute round defence against Mayer.
“I think in general Chantelle is much better over three minutes,” Moore said. “There’s an issue with the WBC, and Chantelle is going to speak to her team to see if she might vacate the belt.
Chantelle is adamant that for women’s boxing moving forward – to be on the same level as men’s boxing – it’s got to be three‑minute rounds.” The call for three‑minute rounds touches on a broader debate within women’s boxing about parity with the men’s game. Currently, many women’s title fights are contested over two‑minute rounds, a rule that some argue limits the sport’s development and the athletes’ ability to showcase endurance and power. Cameron’s stance is that aligning the round length with the men’s standard would elevate the sport’s credibility and provide a more consistent platform for comparison across genders. If a rematch is arranged, logistical considerations will be crucial.
Should Cameron relinquish the WBC belt, the title could become vacant, potentially prompting a fight between other top contenders. Alternatively, the sanctioning bodies might negotiate a special exception to allow a three‑minute round defence while retaining the belt, a scenario that would set a precedent for future women’s championship bouts.
Mayer, meanwhile, remains defiant, insisting that a rematch on her terms could reverse the outcome. “I outboxed you,” she claimed, adding that she would gladly travel to the United States for a future encounter. Her confidence reflects a belief that the two‑minute format may have disadvantaged her style, which often relies on sustained pressure and a high work rate.
Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this saga unfolds. The combination of high‑stakes titles, personal animosity, and the fight over round length provides a compelling narrative that could draw significant attention to women’s boxing in the coming months. Whether the rematch materialises in Birmingham, the United States, or another neutral venue, the sport stands to benefit from the heightened visibility and the ongoing discussion about equality in bout structure. In summary, Chantelle Cameron’s demand for three‑minute rounds in a potential rematch with Mikaela Mayer underscores both her personal ambition and a larger movement toward standardising women’s boxing.
With titles on the line, egos inflamed, and the future of round length hanging in the balance, the next chapter promises to be as electrifying as the first.