Cameron Says Taylor Avoided Trilogy To Prevent Farewell Loss

Chantelle Cameron has accused Katie Taylor of ducking a trilogy fight to protect her farewell at Croke Park from ending in defeat.

Cameron handed Taylor her only professional loss in May 2023, winning a majority decision at Dublin's 3Arena to retain her undisputed junior welterweight crown. Taylor avenged that setback six months later at the same venue in a majority verdict that still frustrates Cameron. With the series level at one win apiece, Cameron expected to settle the score in a decider. Instead Taylor chose to face Flora Pili on Saturday night in front of more than 80,000 fans, boxing for undisputed honours at a third weight.

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Cameron Questions Taylor's Willingness To Risk Legacy

Cameron told The Ring Magazine she believes Taylor chose her opponent carefully. "I feel like there was every excuse in the book for the trilogy not to have happened from her side," the 35-year-old said. "If you don't want it, that's fine but just hold your hand up and say you don't want to fight me because you don't want to lose on your big night. Just be honest and say it how it is."

Cameron, who now holds undisputed junior middleweight titles after moving up in weight and switching to three-minute rounds, went further. "I think she's retiring at the perfect time of her career," she said. "It's probably good that she did not have the trilogy with me because she would have had two losses on her record."

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The English fighter dismissed the notion that her rivalry with Taylor creates any special bond between them. When The Ring suggested as much, Cameron laughed. "I think I take it as a compliment that her and her team avoided me," she said. Cameron added that she expects Taylor to return for an exhibition against Ronda Rousey rather than stay retired. Taylor faces Pili at Croke Park on Saturday.

Source: ringmagazine.com