The fighter Cameron gives up World Boxing Council championship in protest against female boxing regulations
The super-lightweight champion chose to relinquish her world championship belt on Friday as a form of protest against current regulations in the sport for women, demanding the right to battle in extended rounds like male counterparts.
Stand against unequal treatment
Her choice to give up her championship belt stems from her firm stance with the boxing governing body’s rule that female fighters compete in reduced rounds, which the veteran boxer views as gender disparity.
“The sport for women has made great strides, but there’s still room for improvement,” she announced. “My conviction has always been in fairness and that includes the right to have identical rules, identical prospects, and equal respect.”
Background of the championship
Cameron was upgraded to WBC super-lightweight world champion when the previous title holder was categorized “temporary champion” as she stepped away from boxing. The World Boxing Council was set to have a financial bid on recently for a match between the champion and fellow British boxer Sandy Ryan.
Earlier case
In late 2023, Amanda Serrano likewise vacated her WBC title after the governing body declined to permit her to participate in bouts under the equivalent rules as male boxing, with longer duration fights.
Council’s stance
The organization’s leader, Sulaimán, had declared previously that they would not approve 12 three-minute rounds in women’s boxing. “For tennis they play 3 sets, in basketball the rim is reduced and the size is reduced and those are not contact sports. We support the welfare of the fighters,” he wrote on X.
Current standard
Most women’s title fights have 10 rounds of reduced time each, and the British boxer was one of over twenty fighters – such as Serrano – who started a movement in recently to have the right to compete under the identical regulations as men.
Professional record
Cameron, who maintains a 21-1 professional boxing record, emphasized that her protest goes beyond individual choice, framing it as a battle for coming generations of women fighters. “It’s an honor of my success in earning a WBC champion, but it’s right to protest for justice and for the sport’s development,” she added.
Coming actions
Cameron is not retiring from boxing completely, however, with her management team her team saying she intends to seek other championship opportunities and high-profile fights while maintaining her insistence on participating in extended rounds.
