🔗 Share this article

Chantelle Cameron chose to relinquish her prestigious boxing title on Friday as a form of protest against existing rules in the sport for women, demanding the right to compete in extended rounds similar to male boxers.

Demonstration against unequal treatment

Her choice to vacate her title stems from her strong opposition with the World Boxing Council’s rule that women boxers fight in two-minute rounds, which the veteran boxer regards as gender disparity.

“The sport for women has made great strides, but there’s still work to be done,” the boxer declared. “I’ve always believed in equality and that includes the option to fight equal rounds, the same chances, and equal respect.”

History of the championship

The British boxer was upgraded to title holder when Katie Taylor was named “Champion in Recess” as she stepped away from the sport. The boxing organization was preparing for a purse bid on recently for a bout between the champion and fellow British boxer the challenger.

Previous precedent

In December 2023, another female fighter also relinquished her WBC title after the governing body declined to permit her to fight in bouts under the identical regulations as male boxing, with longer duration fights.

Organization’s viewpoint

The organization’s leader, the president, had stated earlier in 2023 that they would not authorize extended rounds in female matches. “For tennis women play fewer sets, regarding basketball the hoop is lower and the size is reduced and those are not contact sports. We stand by the health and protection of the fighters,” he wrote on his platform.

Existing norm

The majority of female championship bouts have 10 rounds of shorter duration each, and the British boxer was part of over twenty fighters – like Serrano – who initiated an effort in recently to have the right to compete under the identical regulations as male boxers.

Fighting history

The boxer, who maintains a strong career statistics, stated clearly that her protest goes beyond her own wishes, presenting it as a struggle for future generations of female boxers. “I’m proud of my success in becoming a WBC champion, but it’s right to protest for equality and for the sport’s development,” she concluded.

Future plans

Cameron is not stepping away from professional fighting entirely, however, with her promoters her promotion company saying she intends to seek alternative belt prospects and high-profile fights while continuing to demand on competing in three-minute rounds.