Some of the top fights in boxing comes from the women's division, with no intention of slowing down. Fighters like Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano and Claressa Shields are some women on the frontlines fighting the battles for change. When a performance goes above and beyond, nothing's better.
For Taylor, she has managed to do that many times. The undisputed lightweight champion has competed in great bouts against Delfine Persoon and Natasha Jonas while winning Fight of the Year in 2022 vs. Amanda Serrano. She will look to do that again in 2023 as she faces one of her biggest challenges.
Taylor heads home to Dublin for the first time as a pro, fighting Chantelle Cameron for Cameron's status of the undisputed super lightweight champion on May 20. The bout is in the 3Arena and airs on DAZN.
Taylor is the -175 favorite, while Cameron is the +150 underdog per Bet MGM. Those odds are despite Cameron throwing the second most punches per round (64.8) while ranking first in jabs landed per round, averaging 5.3 (only 1.4 for Taylor). Taylor does have the second-best connection percentage (behind Mikaela Mayer) at 33.2%. It makes for quite an affair.
WATCH: Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron, live on DAZN
The Sporting News has provided its predictions for the bout. But what about actual fighters? Several boxers offered their predictions, from a Sporting News-led interview with Shields, to Alycia Baumgardner.
Boxer’s predictions for Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron
Claressa Shields predicts Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron
Claressa Shields, the undisputed middleweight champion, knows about becoming a multi-division champion. Also an undisputed champion at super middleweight, Shields has been linked to Taylor in the past. The “G.W.O.A.T” spoke about the bout during a media workout before she faces Hanna Gabriels in a rematch on June 3. She believes Taylor can get the job done against the younger Cameron.
“I have been hearing a lot of people picking Chantelle Cameron to beat Katie Taylor,” Shields told The Sporting News’ Daniel Yanofsky. “But, I just don’t see it. Like Katie Taylor is a live dog. She’s very competitive, very strategic. Her body is different every fight. She doesn’t do the same thing to get ready for every fight. She’s very versatile.
"I don’t think that Chantelle Cameron can beat Katie Taylor. I think Katie Taylor is somebody to be reckoned with. As soon as she hits Katie hard, Katie gonna hit her back hard.
“I don’t think she (Chantelle) possesses the knockout power or whatever they say that she has to best Katie. I’ve seen her fight Jessica McCaskill, terrible performance. But she got the win. I just don’t think that that kind of performance that she had is gonna get her prepared for Katie.
Ebanie Bridges predicts Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron
IBF bantamweight champion Ebanie Bridges has been looking forward to Taylor vs. Cameron more than anyone. Breaking down this bout, the Aussie believes Cameron has what it takes to spoil an Irish homecoming.
MORE: X-factor for every fight on Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron undercard
"I’m so excited about this fight. I've wanted this fight for ages,” Bridges told iFL TV. “I rate Chantelle a lot, I rate Taylor too, but I really rate Chantelle.
"This is going to be a mega test for Chantelle, but I really think she can do it. She's bigger, strong, and tough as a wall. She has a lot of variety in her punches. Katie Taylor... she's got that speed, relentless, she can take a punch... Everything she (Cameron) has is like a whole package kind of fighter. I think with the size, that's going to edge her the win.
Alycia Baumgardner predicts Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron
When talks of Taylor vs. Serrano 2 got called off, Cameron was the next fighter to answer the call. Alycia Baumgardner, the undisputed super featherweight champion, has shown interest in fighting Taylor. She will wait for the winner but may lean towards the super lightweight champion.
“Tough fight, Baumgardner told Boxing News. “You have an amazing fighter like Katie. Cameron is definitely showing her grit, and her age. She’s younger, she’s hungry just as much. She understands what it looks like to be at that top level. I’m looking forward to it.”
MORE: Who are the reigning women's undisputed boxing champions?
Mikaela Mayer predicts Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron
Former super featherweight champion Mikaela Mayer, Baumgardner’s rival, is intrigued to see how the bout plays out. Mayer beat Lucy Wildheart to win the interim WBC lightweight title in her last fight. She wants a shot at Taylor but is ready to see the two fighters show down.
“I like a fight where you don’t necessarily know off the top who’s going to win and who’s going to dominate,” Mayer told Boxing News. “They are both really skilled, both very experienced. I think Katie Taylor’s still boxing great. She doesn’t have any plans on retiring soon, despite what everyone’s saying about her.
"Chantelle’s probably in her prime right now. I think it’s a really good fight. Katie has all the experience, she can adjust really well. But Chantelle’s strong, relentless, and comes forward. I’m excited to see who shows up that night and leaves it all over the ring.”
