Cameron beats Mayer to become unified light-middleweight champion
Scottish boxer Katie Cameron defeated American Natasha Mayer through relentless pressure to claim the WBA and WBC titles, adding them to her WBO belt at the BP Pulse Arena.
In a closely matched light-middleweight bout, home fighter Katie Cameron overcame American Natasha Mayer through sustained pressure that never allowed Mayer to settle into a winning rhythm, despite the two being nearly identical in physical attributes.
Mayer looked the stronger fighter early, while Cameron played the counterpuncher until she found her opening. From the fourth round onward, Cameron began forcing Mayer against the ropes and grew increasingly confident taking the initiative. By the sixth round, Mayer was visibly tiring, bleeding and breathing heavily, and though she suffered a cut in the closing rounds, she fought on until the final bell.
After the decision was announced, Cameron's team lifted her onto their shoulders in celebration of what she called her biggest win since defeating Taylor in Dublin three years ago. For Mayer, a three-weight world champion, this marked only the third loss of her 25-fight career and cost her the WBA and WBC belts, which Cameron now holds alongside her existing WBO title.
Overshadowed by another bout
The fight had originally been billed as the standout event of the August bank holiday weekend in British boxing, but attention shifted after the Moses Itauma versus Filip Hrgovic bout was elevated to world title status. As a result, the arena was only around half full by the time the main event fighters made their ring walks.
Tensions between the two fighters had risen in the build-up, including a heated clash at Friday's weigh-in that involved pushing and verbal exchanges. On fight night, Mayer entered to American-themed music and briefly wore a black durag before revealing a hairstyle similar to Cameron's own.
The event marked the fifth anniversary of Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), the boxing promotion fronted by Jake Paul, who attended but did not compete. MVP's next women's boxing card is scheduled for November in Texas. Looking ahead, Cameron could face IBF light-middleweight champion Oshae Jones or Canadian titleholder Tammara Thibeault as a potential next opponent.
