Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions confirmed the signing of former undisputed junior welterweight champion Chantelle Cameron on Friday.
Cameron (18-1, 8 KOs) was released from her contract with Matchroom on Wednesday and immediately took up an offer with rival promoter Queensberry in a bid to get active again and return to the top.
“I’m delighted. I’m very grateful to Frank Warren and George [Warren]. They’re going to back me to the top, get my belts back and show everyone that my last defeat, it will never happen again,” Cameron said.
Cameron’s stock rose significantly after two thrilling fights against Katie Taylor in Dublin last year as she won the first and lost the second, leaving Taylor with the belts.
However, despite the apparent enthusiasm for a trilogy fight, Taylor instead opted for a rematch against Amanda Serrano on July 20 for the undisputed lightweight championship.
Cameron has publicly vented her frustration with Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn for not sorting a third fight against Taylor and has even claimed to have agreed to a pay cut to make the fight happen. The sour taste of the defeat, and not having the chance to get revenge, still lingers for Cameron, who said she has a renewed determination to get her titles back.
“I’ve actually not watched it back yet; there’s a bit too much [bad] blood and I’m still frustrated from the fight. A lot of hugging and holding, head-butting,” Cameron said. “I’ll watch it back at some point, but that’s when she stops running, and gives me that fight. “I feel like now, my worst fear in boxing was losing and I’ve had that loss and now it’s completely different. I feel like I just want to rip everyone’s head off. Anyone that’s in my way, I’m coming for them, and I’m going to get my belts back one way or another.”
Frank Warren confirmed there will be an announcement for Cameron’s first fight under Queensberry next week, but a rematch with Taylor is still top of Cameron’s list.
“I don’t think Katie actually wants to fight me again,” Cameron said. “She had the chance, and I thought the trilogy was signed and ready to go… I know that DAZN wanted the fight and everyone was keen for it. But Katie and her manager, they had other plans and they didn’t want the fight. If she pulls through Amanda Serrano, which I don’t think she actually will, then if Serrano is going to be undisputed champion, I’d love a chance to face her as well, another great fight.”
While Taylor remains aligned with Hearn and Matchroom, Warren hinted that the newfound willingness for promoters and broadcasters to work together means organising the trilogy won’t prove difficult.
“In this new age of cooperation, why not? We’re all best mates,” Warren said.
Warren also announced the signing of Aadam Hamed, son of former featherweight champion Prince Naseem Hamed, whom he also promoted.
Aadam Hamed, a junior welterweight, has just one professional fight under his belt, but he has vowed to carve out his own legacy and emerge from his father’s shadow.
“What my dad did with Frank, [they] created history, I’m looking to re-create that,” Aadam Hamed said. “I think it was always in me since a kid. But to be honest with you I want to be respected for Aadam Hamed instead of [Naseem’s] boy.
Naseem Hamed said there was no extra pressure on his son.
“This time is for my son,” Hamed said. “It will always be about my son and all my three sons because this is their time. He trains twice a day every day; I’m just more than happy to be more proud to be a dad that’s very supportive. I’m looking forward to seeing which fight Frank puts him on first, which show and how big that show’s going to be.”
Source: www.espn.com