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Chantelle Cameron chose to relinquish her prestigious boxing title on Friday as a symbolic gesture against existing rules in the sport for women, demanding the right to battle in longer rounds like men fighters.

Demonstration against unequal treatment

The boxer’s move to give up her world title stems from her clear disagreement with the World Boxing Council’s mandate that women boxers compete in two-minute rounds, which the veteran boxer views as unfair standards.

“Women’s boxing has advanced significantly, but there’s still progress to be made,” the boxer declared. “I’ve always believed in fairness and that includes the choice to have identical rules, equal opportunities, and identical regard.”

History of the championship

Cameron was upgraded to world championship status when Katie Taylor was categorized “temporary champion” as she stepped away from professional fighting. The World Boxing Council was planning to hold a contract bid on recently for a bout between Cameron and fellow British boxer her potential opponent.

Previous precedent

In December 2023, Amanda Serrano likewise vacated her WBC title after the organization would not authorize her to participate in fights under the same rule-set as male boxing, with extended rounds.

WBC’s position

The WBC president, Mauricio Sulaimán, had declared previously that they would not sanction 12 three-minute rounds in female matches. “In tennis female players compete 3 sets, regarding basketball the basket is shorter and the size is reduced and those are non-contact activities. We stand by the welfare of the fighters,” he wrote on X.

Current standard

The majority of female championship bouts have ten rounds of reduced time each, and the British boxer was one of more than two dozen boxers – like Serrano – who launched a campaign in last year to have the option to participate under the equivalent conditions as men.

Career statistics

The athlete, who maintains a strong career statistics, made clear that her demonstration goes beyond personal preference, framing it as a struggle for the next wave of female athletes. “I feel proud of my accomplishment in earning a title holder, but it’s right to protest for equality and for the future of the sport,” she concluded.

Next steps

The athlete is not retiring from boxing entirely, however, with her management team her promotion company indicating she intends to seek different title chances and high-profile fights while maintaining her insistence on competing in three-minute rounds.