Undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor 22-1 (6) isn’t expecting any surprises from undisputed junior welterweight champion Chantelle ‘Il Capo’ Cameron 18-0 (8) when they meet in an immediate rematch at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday night.
The 37-year-old Irish superstar came up marginally short on the scorecards in their last bout at the same venue in May, losing a majority decision by scores of 94-96, 94-96 and 95-95.
Cameron got out of the blocks quickly against Taylor, who made adjustments in the back half of the fight but was playing catch up the whole way through the bout.
“I have watched the fight, made some adjustments,” said Taylor. “I’m not concerned with what Cameron is doing; I’m only concerned with what I can do.”
Taylor added: “I don’t think there were any surprises what Chantelle brought to the table, really, from my point of view.
“Yeah, she was obviously the better fighter that night but I’m still as confident as ever that if I perform to my abilities that I will win, regardless of who’s on the other side of the ring. I still have an incredible amount of confidence coming into this fight.”
Despite handing 2012 Olympic gold medalist Taylor her first loss since the amateurs when she was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in 2016, Cameron feels she still doesn’t get the respect she deserves.
“I’m the champion and I need to start getting a bit more respect,” the 32-year-old Brit said.
But while Cameron clearly has a chip on her shoulder and something to prove, it’s business as usual for the unflappable Taylor.
“Every single fight is just a fight. For me, the next fight is always the most important. My mindset towards that stuff is completely the same if it was something else,” Taylor said.
“I’m just looking forward to stepping in there again. I’m very very grateful to have this opportunity, not everyone gets a second chance and I’ve got the chance to go in there and make things right again.
“I’m very excited for that and delighted I have the chance to box in front of everyone in Dublin again as well.”
As she inches towards 40, Taylor could be forgiven for considering retirement after the Cameron loss, but she insists the thought never crossed her mind.
“No, I think that would be a terrible way to bow out for me,” Taylor said. “The retirement never came into my mind. I’m just excited. I think this will increase my legacy with a win over Chantelle in November.
“Every fight is the most important fight, the next fight is always the most important fight for every single fighter.
“It’s a must win… I certainly believe that a win in November will increase that legacy.”