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Chantelle Cameron chose to relinquish her prestigious boxing title on Friday as a symbolic gesture against existing rules in female boxing, calling for the right to fight in extended rounds like male counterparts.

Demonstration against inequality

Her choice to give up her championship belt originates from her strong opposition with the WBC’s requirement that women boxers fight in reduced rounds, which the veteran boxer views as unequal treatment.

“Women’s boxing has advanced significantly, but there’s still room for improvement,” she announced. “I firmly believe in fairness and that includes the right to compete under equal conditions, identical prospects, and the same recognition.”

Context of the championship

The British boxer was upgraded to world championship status when former champion Taylor was designated “Champion in Recess” as she stepped away from boxing. The WBC was preparing for a contract bid on that day for a match between Cameron and other UK fighter her potential opponent.

Earlier case

In December 2023, another female fighter likewise vacated her championship after the council declined to permit her to compete in matches under the identical regulations as men’s boxing, with 12 three-minute rounds.

Council’s stance

The WBC president, Sulaimán, had declared before that they would not sanction longer fights in women’s boxing. “For tennis they play fewer sets, for basketball the hoop is lower and the size is reduced and those are non-contact activities. We stand by the welfare of the boxers,” he wrote on social media.

Present practice

Typically women’s championship matches have ten rounds of two minutes each each, and Cameron was part of more than two dozen boxers – like Serrano – who started a movement in recently to have the choice to fight under the same rules as men fighters.

Professional record

The athlete, who maintains a impressive fight record, emphasized that her stand is more than personal preference, presenting it as a battle for coming generations of female boxers. “I’m proud of my achievement in becoming a WBC champion, but it’s moment to make a statement for what’s right and for the boxing’s progression,” she concluded.

Next steps

The fighter is not retiring from boxing altogether, however, with her management team MVP saying she intends to seek other championship opportunities and marquee bouts while persisting in her requirement on fighting in longer duration fights.