This week’s women’s boxing update features Chantelle Cameron, Amanda Serrano, Katie Taylor… and Rocky Marciano.
Cameron: I’m all wrong for Kali
Britain’s Chantelle Cameron is “rubbing her hands together” at the prospect of facing the USA’s Kali Reis in the Road to Undisputed light-welterweight final.
The WBC and Ring Magazine champion will fight Reis for her WBA and WBO belts in early 2022.
Cameron was ringside for Reis’ gruelling 10-round split-decision win over Jessica Camara.
“I took away a lot. I saw everything I needed to see. Maybe Kali was a bit complacent,” Cameron told BBC Sport.
“She was being tagged a lot, hurt a lot as well. Jessica’s not known for being a big puncher.
“The pace was quite slow for what my pace normally is. I’m all wrong for Kali, whereas she’s all right for me.
Katie Taylor: Growing up I always pretended to be Rocky Marciano
Pound for pound star Katie Taylor (19-0, 6 KOs) mentions legendary Rocky Marciano as one of her inspirations.
Katie Taylor’s ambition is to retire, like Rocky Marciano did, as an unbeaten world champion, the undisputed lightweight champion tells in an interview with The Guardian:
“When I was growing up I always pretended to be Rocky Marciano. I didn’t even know who Rocky Marciano was beyond the fact he was an undefeated fighter.”
Known for his relentless fighting style, punching power, stamina, and exceptionally durable chin, heavyweight Marciano (49-0, 43 KOs) is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time.
35-year-old Taylor will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the best female fighters ever, but The Bray Bomber who fights Firuza Sharipova on 11 December is not hanging up the gloves just yet.
“I still love boxing. I still love getting up in the cold mornings and training. These days make the difference between winning and losing. It’s very easy to stay in bed and take a day off here and there. But I never cut any corners. That consistency makes a difference.”
Serrano calls Taylor matchup ‘gem of a fight’
Puerto Rico’s Amanda Serrano said via Twitter in a response to The Guardian’s article: “Super honored to finally be able to give the fans this gem of a fight. Myself & Katie Taylor will give the boxing world what they’ve been asking for.”
Another potential fight for Serrano could be against Mexico’s Erika Cruz Hernandez. Hernandez’s win over her compatriot Melissa Esquivel Friday, 26 November promoted ‘Dinamita’ to the No. 2 position in that weight class by The Ring’s Women’s Boxing Panel, setting up what would become a fight for the inaugural Ring belt in the 126-pound division.