Irish superstar Katie Taylor 23-1 (6) was crowned undisputed junior welterweight champion of the world with a majority decision victory over Chantelle ‘Il Capo’ Cameron 18-1 (8) in their rematch at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday night.
The duo clashed at the same venue six months earlier with the Britain’s Cameron, 32, getting off to a fast start to earn a majority decision victory by scores of 96-94, 96-94 and 95-95.
In that fight Cameron used her jab to great effect, keeping Taylor at bay for long periods of the fight. This time around the 37-year-old Taylor was able to nullify the jab, work her way inside and get to work with her fast combinations.
Taylor was determined to put her stamp on the fight early, getting out of the gates quickly and standing her ground with Cameron at times. She walked into a stiff jab from Cameron that sat her down on the seat of her pants, but referee Roberto Ramirez Jr ruled it a slip.
Both boxers had their moments in the third before an unintentional clash of heads opened up a nasty gash high on the forehead of Cameron. The ringside physician examined the cut, allowing the bout to continue.
Through the middle rounds Taylor allowed Cameron to bring the fight to her, slipping and countering to keep the champion guessing.
Cameron seemed to sense the fight was slipping away and in the seventh and eighth she threw caution to the wind, forcing Taylor into exchanges where both boxers had their moments.
Taylor looked exhausted when the bell rang to start the ninth, but despite being marked up around the left eye she boxed smartly to largely nullify Cameron’s attacks with her flashy flurries.
In the 10th both boxer emptied their reserves in what was a close, competitive fight.
When the dust settled Taylor was awarded the victory by scores of 95-95, 98-92 and 96-94.
With the win Taylor added the WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF and Ring Magazine 140-pound world titles to the same collection of belts she has at lightweight.
“Two-weight undisputed champion, that sounds very nice,” Taylor said.
“It was the longest six months in my life waiting for this rematch.
“This is my real homecoming tonight. You saw the worst of me in May. You saw the best of me tonight. Let’s get the trilogy in Croke Park.
“It takes two to tango and Chantelle is a phenomenal fighter and a phenomenal champion, she deserves everything that she gets.
“To have a trilogy would be a great respect for both of us. I think that is exactly what we both want.
“She is a legend herself. Two legends of the ring fighting again for the trilogy. I don’t think there’s ever been a trilogy in women’s boxing. This could be the first.”