by Katie Taylor became the new undisputed world super-lightweight champion after defeating Chantelle Cameron on points in an epic, unforgettable fight on Saturday night in Dublin. In the process, Taylor found the sweetest form of redemption as she avenged her narrow majority decision loss to Cameron in their first fight six months ago. This time the appropriate decision was awarded to Taylor with margins of 98-92 and 96-94 and the third judge scored it as a 95-95 draw.
Taylor also retains her status as the world lightweight champion and is now in the unprecedented position of being the undisputed queen of two weight divisions at the same time. When she insisted that this rematch should again be held in the bantamweight division, she narrowly conceded to Cameron, who is much bigger and stronger – as well as being five years younger. But Taylor is a truly remarkable fighter and she deserved this tough competition.
Related: Natasha Jonas: ‘I had dreams of winning the World Cup … then I was back to my motto’
In an area of darkness and regret Taylor walked to the ring before Cameron which strongly indicated that, for the first time in her career, she climbed between the ropes as the underdog. But it was a reminder to Cameron of how big Taylor is in Ireland – where she remains the country’s most popular sports figure, but the raucous reception she received from a fiercely partisan crowd when the green light flashed her way in.
Taylor came out quickly, working behind a slick jab as she landed the pinches early and sharp – only for Cameron to suddenly throw a hard jab. Taylor fell backwards and fell to the canvas. The referee immediately ruled it a slip but Cameron’s ramrod appeared to shake Taylor.
Cameron was aggressive in round two, going on to rough Taylor up in brutal exchanges. But Taylor clipped Cameron with a crisp jab as the two-minute round was fought at a furious lick. The pace was so relentless in the third round and Taylor’s quick hands produced several effective combinations before a nasty and accidental clash of heads that opened up a deep gash on Cameron’s forehead.
Twenty seconds into the quarter, the referee called the doctor to the ring apron so he could examine Cameron’s wound. He allowed her to continue but, as blood oozed from Cameron’s cut, Taylor fought brilliantly from his back foot, nailing his rival several times. Cameron struggled to land his own jab as there was a red smear on his forehead.
But Cameron still looked determined in round five and she pressured Taylor, pushing her back against the ropes. But Taylor’s blistering hand speed, and ringcraft, remained undented. It was clear that she had won a tough but highly skilled competition as they moved into the second half of the fight. Taylor’s jab took the lead again in the sixth round but Cameron fought hard and still looked determined, as well as cut and bruised.
The seventh was a ferocious round, full of courage and skill. Cameron’s punches were as hard as they were hit but Taylor overshadowed the round. However, she looked tired and, rather than boxing away, Taylor was drawn into trench warfare in the eighth. A dramatic, hard-fought fight in the penultimate round. With the crowd chanting “Katie…Katie…Katie…”, and the blood running down Cameron’s face, both fighters showed an incredible reserve of desire and will.
Coming out for the final round of a classic fight Cameron needed a stoppage but both women stood their ground – with Taylor landing heavy combinations. But Cameron was undaunted and kept fighting. At the stone the two women, both their faces showing the marks of the battle, were duly raised by a large crowd.
-
Download the Guardian app from the iOS App Store on iPhone or the Google Play store on Android by searching for ‘The Guardian’.
-
If you already have the Guardian app, make sure you’re on the latest version.
-
In the Guardian app, tap the Menu button at the bottom right, then go to Settings (the gear icon), then Notifications.
-
Turn on sports ads.
To defeat a champion as formidable as the previously undefeated Cameron, Taylor gave the best answer possible to so many pundits and boxing insiders who believed that, at the age of 37, she was on the downward slope to retire. But her consummate skills and grim intent undermined the doubt when she won a rematch in which Cameron was so heavily favored.
The decisive clash in a majestic trilogy will certainly take place, possibly in Croke Park, next year. But, for now, Taylor can take a win that will bring more satisfaction, and relief, than almost anyone else in her long and illustrious career. She is, once again, the queen of Ireland and women’s boxing.
