Sport

Taylor makes history by beating Cameron in stunning rematch

Katie Taylor celebrates her victory over Chantelle Cameron and becoming a two Weight Unified champion at The 3Arena Dublin on November 25, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images)

Katie Taylor solidified herself as one of Ireland's greatest ever fighters on Saturday night by beating Chantelle Cameron via a majority decision. Taylor took the victory, with one judge scoring the contest 95-95 and the others 98-92 and 96-94.

The win now means that Taylor is a two-weight undisputed champion in the sport and has cemented her status as one of Ireland's best-ever sportspeople.

The Bray native came into the fight looking to avenge her first-ever professional defeat from six months ago. Cameron, a Northampton native, beat the 37-year-old Taylor by a majority decision in Dublin's 3Arena.

This time, the fighters fought in the same venue, and fans were rewarded with an excellent fight between two classy boxers.

Both fighters exchanged blows in the first round, with Taylor landing a series of quick combinations. However, Taylor slipped to the canvas in the second round. She quickly rose to her feet, and the fight resumed.

DUBLIN, IRELAND - NOVEMBER 25: Katie Taylor in dressing room after her victory over Chantelle Cameron and all her belts at The 3Arena Dublin on November 25, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images)

As the Irish crowd grew into the fight, Taylor started to box smarter as the rounds wore on. Cameron suffered a nasty cut to her eye that needed stitches in the fourth.

In rounds five and six, Taylor's boxing smarts got the better of Cameron, but the Bray woman started to get more fatigued going into the last five rounds.

Taylor was dead on her feet by round 8, and her strategy of holding on frustrated Cameron late on. Taylor displayed what a warrior she has been in the final rounds by holding off Cameron. All she needed to do was stay on her feet, and victory would be hers.

The bell rang, and the "Fight of the Year" ended with the outcome nearing in the favour of one winner. The 3Arena awaited the judges' scorecard. One judge had it as a draw 95-95. The other two ruled in favour of the Irishwoman 98-92 96-94.

Taylor, clearly emotional from the fight, let out an incredible roar in the venue and was greeted by her mother ringside.

"Whoever wrote me off, they obviously don't know me very well," a jubilant Taylor told DAZN in Dublin.

"I'm nearly offended that I was the underdog for this fight. Don't ever doubt me. The last fight you saw the worst of me and the best of Chantelle, and I think it was still a close fight. Tonight, you saw the real me, and when I box like that, nobody can beat me.

"Let's get the trilogy at Croke Park."

Eddie Hearn, Taylor's promoter, echoed his fighter's sentiments.

"Honestly, it's the single greatest night I think I've experienced in the sport," he said.

"You should be so proud of her. In a world where everybody's life is under the microscope, have you ever heard one person say a bad word about this woman? Never.

"She deserves everything. Croke Park has to happen! It has to happen. Next spring/summer, we will create an event you will never forget."

The trilogy could be on the cards. Here's hoping.