Chantelle Cameron gives up World Boxing Council championship in stand against rules for women boxers
The British fighter voluntarily gave up her world championship belt on recently as a form of protest against the status quo in the sport for women, insisting on the option to battle in three-minute rounds like male boxers.
Protest against disparity
Her choice to relinquish her world title stems from her clear disagreement with the World Boxing Council’s requirement that women fight in reduced rounds, which the veteran boxer regards as unequal treatment.
“The sport for women has come a long way, but there’s still progress to be made,” Cameron stated. “I firmly believe in equality and that includes the option to fight equal rounds, identical prospects, and equal respect.”
History of the belt
The British boxer was promoted to world championship status when former champion Taylor was designated “temporary champion” as she paused from professional fighting. The boxing organization was preparing for a financial bid on that day for a bout between the champion and compatriot Sandy Ryan.
Earlier case
In December 2023, Amanda Serrano also relinquished her championship after the governing body would not authorize her to fight in fights under the same rule-set as male boxing, with extended rounds.
WBC’s position
The council head, the president, had declared previously that they would not authorize longer fights in female matches. “In tennis they play 3 sets, for basketball the hoop is lower and the ball smaller and those are not contact sports. We support the welfare of the boxers,” he wrote on social media.
Existing norm
Most women’s title fights have 10 rounds of reduced time each, and Cameron was one of over twenty fighters – including Serrano – who started a movement in recently to have the choice to compete under the same rules as male boxers.
Professional record
The athlete, who holds a strong career statistics, emphasized that her protest is more than her own wishes, describing it as a fight for future generations of women fighters. “It’s an honor of my success in attaining a title holder, but it’s right to protest for what’s right and for the boxing’s progression,” she added.
Future plans
The fighter is not retiring from boxing entirely, however, with her promoters MVP stating she intends to seek different title chances and high-profile fights while continuing to demand on participating in three-minute rounds.
