CHANTELLE CAMERON has defeated Katie Taylor in Taylor’s homecoming in Dublin.
Cameron won by a majority decision 96-94, 96-94, 95-95 on the scorecards.
The loss was Taylor’s first as a pro, as Cameron retained her undisputed super-lightweight titles.
- Result: Cameron wins by majority decision
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
Follow ALL of the latest updates from Dublin below…
Taylor vs Cameron
Taylor says: “I’m not sure, it was obviously very close, it’s not how I wanted my homecoming to go, I am just grateful for all the support, thank you very much.
“Congrats to Chantelle, thanks for the opportunity to fight for your belts, and I look forward to the rematch.
“I wouldn’t say I was surprised how fast she was, it was a tough battle, I just came up short tonight, I look forward to when we face each other again.”
Taylor vs Cameron
Cameron says: “I was petrified, I have seen it before, I thought i’m not going to get the decision.
“Katie is a great fighter, but I turned up to the occasion.
“I don’t mind getting hit, it’s one of them where they let me off the leash.
She is so fast, rapid, tough, I thought maybe I have nicked some rounds there.”
Taylor vs Cameron
Judges score the bout, 95-95 a draw and 96-94 to your winner… AND STILL the undisputed champion, Chantelle Cameron.
It’s heartbreak for Katie Taylor in her Irish homecoming fight, with Cameron’s power and pressure getting the job done.
Taylor suffers defeat for the first time.
Taylor vs Cameron
Round 10 – Taylor looks on shaky legs but comes back with a big right hand.
Uppercut fires in for Cameron and the two clinch, both looks exhausted after putting on such a scintillating fight.
Clacker for the final ten seconds go and both warriors fight to the final bell – we await the judges scorecards.
Taylor vs Cameron
Round 9 – Cameron lets her hands go but Taylor catches her with a left hook in response.
Cameron backs Taylor to the ropes and unloads, it’s heavy stuff from the champion.
But Taylor fires back with a stunning combination, amazing action here as we head into the 10th and final round.
Taylor vs Cameron
Round 8 – Cameron walks into a right hand coming forward but blocked some left hooks before doing so.
A nice combo fires in for Taylor, finishing on the left hook, but Cameron is relentless on the front foot.
Taylor has landed some eye-catching shots but Cameron has been non-stop on the attack.
Taylor vs Cameron
Round 7 – Cameron chases Taylor down, threatening with the right hand.
Big combination from Cameron finishes with a left hook and lands flush on Taylor’s chin.
Cameron backs Taylor up and smashes her body, the champion looks strong here despite a late fightback in the round.
Taylor vs Cameron
Round 6 – Big right hand bowls in for Cameron and a left hook follows to the body.
But Taylor comes back with a big combination in close, thrilling stuff.
Excellent action on the inside as both landed heavy leather, back and forth stuff in the centre of the ring.
Taylor vs Cameron
Round 5 – Couple of sharp counter left hooks land for Taylor as she spins off.
But Cameron comes forward and lands some big combinations with Taylor backed into the corner.
Back and forth action at the end of the round with both landing scoring shots… hard one to call here.
Taylor vs Cameron
Round 4 – Solid double jab and right hand for Cameron early.
Big uppercut from Cameron and she comes forward again, Taylor a bit of a static target.
Solid combinations from Cameron but Taylor did return fire with a right hand over the top but the champ has come on strong here.
Taylor vs Cameron
Round 3 – Counter right hand lands for Taylor over a jab from Cameron.
Another counter combination sees Taylor slip and come back with three shots.
Cameron is relentless on the front foot but she’s walking into shots doing so, solid start from Taylor.
Taylor vs Cameron
Round 2 – Cameron traps Taylor in the corner but the challenger ducks and dives underneath.
Big right hand from Taylor lands down the pipe and the crowd go crazy for it.
Another right hook and left follows, Taylor is finding home with her shots here in a big round for her.
Taylor vs Cameron
Cameron comes out fast on the front foot pumping out her jab but Taylor is light on her feet and evades.
Taylor lands a couple of counter combinations in close and even a right hand on the money.
Cameron the aggressor in the opening round but Taylor landed some flashy combinations in spurts in what was a lively opener.
Taylor vs Cameron
Both introduced and we are ready to go.
Taylor moves up from lightweight and undisputed champion to challenge for all four super-lightweight titles.
Cameron in the opposite corner is also unbeaten and carries the weight and size advantage.
Taylor vs Cameron
Both fighters are in the ring after Taylor’s lengthy but sensational ring entrance.
We’re moments away from seeing the homecoming of Taylor’s Irish boxing career.
Both fighters be be officially introduced by David Diamante
Taylor made for it
And here comes Katie Taylor.
Fighting as a professional for the first time in Ireland and in the first boxing event in the nation for almost a decade.
The nation’s most beloved sports star has returned home – at last.
Cam on then
Champion Chantelle Cameron walks first to the ring – despite defending her belts.
She looks calm, composed and ready for action as she walks to the ring to some boos but nothing too hostile.
Maybe the home crowd are saving themselves to blow the roof off for Taylor’s walkout.
Nearly there…
Now past 10.45 and still no ringwalks…
Thankfully, we’ve got past the customary Sweet Caroline and we shouldn’t be too long.
Anticipation is building here inside the 3Arena as hometown hero Katie Taylor prepares to come home.
Taylor made
A DM to Eddie Hearn started Katie Taylor’s professional boxing career – now she is on the brink of history.
Hearn told SunSport in Dublin: “When she won gold in 2012, I was like, ‘Wow, that was unbelievable. The atmosphere and everything, she’s a huge star’.
“But she never really wanted to turn pro, there was talk about it. When Rio came around, there was more talk about it.
“It didn’t go the way she wanted it to. And then she said, ‘I wanna turn pro.’ After that is when she sent me the message.
“There was no market for women’s boxing, there was no interest from broadcasters or fans. I just had the meeting out of respect for her.
“But it was during that meeting I just thought, ‘Wow, you’re amazing. I’d quite like to be part of this, we could be a hero with you in just completely changing the game.'”
Credit: �Mark Robinson Photography Ltd Cully vs Felix
Big right hand started Cully’s troubles by dropping him.
Another combination then put the Irishman down and a couple of solid shots left him covered up in the corner.
His corner actually threw in the towel but the referee didn’t see it and allowed for far too much needless damage to be taken.
Credit: Rex Cully vs Felix
Cully is stopped on his feet after being rocked on several occasions after being floored.
An onslaught from Felix in the corner saw the referee rightfully stop it and stun the Irish crowd.
Cully suffers his first defeat in 17 bouts, ending a good run of performances.
Cully vs Felix
Round 3 – CULLY IS DOWN!
Cully is knocked down twice in round three and the fight has been turned on its head.
A HUGE right hand and left hook has Cully staggered, another big combination has him in trouble and IT’S OVER!
Cully vs Felix
Round 2 – Left hand fires in from Cully and draws a loud sign of approval from McGregor.
Couple of big right hooks land for Cully but Felix shakes them off well.
Very confident round from Cully, who looks to have already found his range and has got into a nice rhythm.
Cully vs Felix
Round 1 – Confident start from Cully, light on his feet, pumping out his jab and keeping Felix at bay.
Couple of left hands just missing the target but Felix is being made to sit on the outside, causing Cully no problem.
McGregor looks impressed from ringside.
Gary on then
Lightweight prospect Gary Cully returns in the chief support fight right now.
The 16-0 contender – build as an Irish star in the making – faces Mexican Jose Felix.
He comes into the ring to HUGE fanfare here in Ireland – can he put in a performance to match?
Credit: Reuters
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
