The state of play
Katie Taylor returns to Dublin on Saturday with revenge on her mind. Having lost her unbeaten professional record to Chantelle Cameron back in May, she is well aware of the importance of bouncing back in the rematch.
The initial fight against Cameron was Taylor’s first in her Irish homeland during her seven-year professional career, during which she had a perfect record of 22 wins from as many bouts.
However, Cameron ruined Taylor’s long-awaited homecoming with a stunning majority-decision victory, remaining undisputed super-lightweight world champion and posting the most notable win of her unbeaten professional career in the process.
Some suggested that result was the beginning of the end for Taylor, who enjoyed a stellar amateur career then turned professional after failing to defend her Olympic gold medal in 2016. However, the 37-year-old has said she has “no intention” of retiring and is simply focused on avoiding back-to-back defeats.
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“This really is a must-win fight for me,” Taylor said this week. “I have a chance to rectify things. No other fight would have made sense to me. It would have been a killer for me if I didn’t get this chance to fight her again.”
Taylor was visibly slower against a woman five years her junior when they last met, while Cameron’s advantages in height and reach have observers putting her down as the favourite this time around.
Taylor is sure to get another hero’s welcome on home soil this weekend, but with Cameron determined to consolidate her position, this could be the toughest challenge of Taylor’s glittering career.
✌️ DAYS#CameronTaylor2 pic.twitter.com/NBfBkINDOz
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) November 23, 2023
What’s on the line?
As she did for the first fight, Taylor will step up a weight class, so her own undisputed lightweight championship is not at stake. She will, however, have the chance to add Cameron’s WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring super-lightweight (aka light-welterweight) belts to her own title.
Natasha Jonas, the IBF’s current junior middleweight and welterweight champion who lost to Taylor in 2012 and 2021, has expressed a desire to face the winner of the bout as she bids to capture belts in three different divisions.
What they said
Taylor on her chance for revenge:
“I’m very, very hungry and I’m like a woman possessed at the moment for this. Every single boxer dreams of being in this position – headlining a huge show in their own country.
“I’ll absolutely be becoming a two-weight undisputed champion. I think when I’m at my best, nobody can beat me.”
️ “I feel a lot better this time around. There’s nothing else to say… I hate all this – I’m just ready to fight!” – @KatieTaylor#CameronTaylor2 | @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/DeF2F7nfKs
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) November 23, 2023
Cameron on her chances of another win in Dublin:
“As long as I do on Saturday what I’ve been doing then Katie isn’t going to stand a chance. I’m going to be all over her like a rash. May 20, I was in awe of Katie Taylor. This time I’m not in awe of her.
“I’ve already beat her, so now I’m coming here, defending my belts and it’s more now for me that I’m cementing my own career. I know that this can open up doors for me. I’m going in there full of spite and full of aggression knowing that I’ve just got to finish the job here.”
️ “I’ve trained harder than ever. This is the fittest I’ve ever been!” – @chantellecam#CameronTaylor2 | @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/IIiWvxJWuG
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) November 23, 2023
Where, when and how to watch
Saturday’s eagerly anticipated rematch will take place at the 3Arena in Dublin, with the main card due to begin at 7pm UK time. Ring walks for the main event are expected to take place at around 10:30pm. The fight will be streamed live by subscription service DAZN in the UK.
Prediction
The tables have certainly turned ahead of the rematch, with Cameron entering Saturday’s bout as the favourite after producing an aggressive performance back in May. Though Taylor has a good chin and should stay the course, expect Cameron to repeat her previous victory by edging this one on points.
️ “This is a massive, massive night!” – @EddieHearn#CameronTaylor2 live on @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/fWMxNt1qYI
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) November 23, 2023
