Chantelle Cameron delivered an exceptional performance, triumphing over Mikaela Mayer to consolidate the WBA and WBC light-middleweight championships with her existing WBO title. The hard-fought contest concluded with a unanimous decision in favor of the British boxer, with judges scoring 97-93 twice and 96-94 once. Mayer expressed disagreement with the ruling, claiming she out-boxed Cameron, which led to a heated exchange post-fight. The possibility of a rematch was suggested, but Cameron dismissed the notion of Mayer’s home advantage claims, stating that such talk was merely empty words. This win extends Cameron's undefeated run since her 2023 bout with Katie Taylor, improving her impressive professional record to 23 victories from 24 fights.
This event also marked the fifth anniversary of Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), co-founded by Jake Paul, which has expanded from influencer boxing to a significant force in women's boxing in the UK. Paul attended the event, having previously headlined an MVP fight in 2021. MVP’s future plans include another women's boxing arena event in Texas, featuring unified super-featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner and several other world championship fights on the undercard. Cameron’s next challenge is highly anticipated, especially after her return to BP Pulse Arena and her high-profile transition to MVP, with potential matchups against IBF light-middleweight champion Oshae Jones or IBF, WBO, and The Ring middleweight belt holder Tammara Thibeault.
Cameron's Strategic Triumph and Mayer's Disputed Defeat
Chantelle Cameron secured a career-best win, adding the WBA and WBC light-middleweight titles to her WBO belt by defeating Mikaela Mayer via unanimous decision. The close and compelling fight, scored 97-93 on two cards and 96-94 on the third, highlighted Cameron's unwavering pressure against Mayer. Despite the American's contention that she out-boxed Cameron, leading to a fiery post-fight exchange, Cameron's tactical persistence proved decisive. This victory extends Cameron's remarkable undefeated streak since her 2023 encounter with Katie Taylor, cementing her record at 23 wins from 24 professional fights and further solidifying her status as a top contender in women's boxing.
The highly anticipated showdown saw both fighters bring similar metrics in terms of punch rate, physical attributes, and even hairstyles, underlining the even match-up. Initially, Mayer presented a more imposing presence, but Cameron strategically adopted a counter-punching approach before shifting to the offensive. By the fourth round, Cameron began to corner Mayer, displaying increasing confidence and drawing cheers from the home crowd, despite the arena being sparsely filled. Mayer struggled to leverage her jab effectively and showed signs of fatigue by the sixth round, bleeding and breathing heavily. Although Cameron sustained a cut in the later rounds, she persevered, celebrated on her team's shoulders, and earned her most significant victory since beating Taylor three years prior. For Mayer, a three-weight world champion, this marks her third defeat in 25 fights, resulting in the loss of her WBA and WBC belts to Cameron.
MVP's Ascendance and Cameron's Future Pathways
The boxing event served as a major milestone, celebrating the fifth anniversary of Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), an organization co-founded by influencer Jake Paul. MVP has strategically transitioned from promoting influencer-led fights to becoming a prominent platform for women's boxing in the United Kingdom. Jake Paul, a former headliner for MVP in 2021, attended the event, highlighting the company's evolving focus. This shift reflects MVP's commitment to elevating professional women's boxing, an initiative further underscored by their upcoming arena event in Texas. This future event will feature unified super-featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner in a lightweight bout against Elif Nur Turhan, with a potential high-stakes clash against Caroline Dubois in 2027.
The undercard for MVP's upcoming events is set to include several world championship fights, featuring featherweight champion Tiara Brown defending her title against former undisputed champion Ellie Scotney, and super bantamweight champion Skye Nicolson facing three-time, two-division champion Miyo Yoshida. For Chantelle Cameron, her recent victory marks a significant turning point, especially as it was her first fight at BP Pulse Arena since November 2024 and her first under the MVP banner, signalling a new chapter in her career. Cameron has often expressed frustration about the lack of opportunities commensurate with her talent since her high-profile double-header against Katie Taylor in 2023. Three years on, with her recent success, Cameron is poised for more elite-level fights, with potential contenders from MVP’s stable including IBF light-middleweight champion Oshae Jones and IBF, WBO, and The Ring middleweight belt holder Tammara Thibeault of Canada.
