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Chantelle Cameron voluntarily gave up her prestigious boxing title on recently as an act of defiance against the status quo in the sport for women, demanding the opportunity to compete in longer rounds matching male boxers.

Demonstration against unequal treatment

Her choice to give up her world title comes from her strong opposition with the World Boxing Council’s mandate that women compete in shorter rounds, which the experienced fighter views as unfair standards.

“Female boxing has come a long way, but there’s still room for improvement,” the boxer declared. “I firmly believe in equal treatment and that includes the option to have identical rules, identical prospects, and equal respect.”

History of the championship

The British boxer was upgraded to world championship status when the previous title holder was named “temporary champion” as she stepped away from the sport. The World Boxing Council was set to have a financial bid on recently for a bout between Cameron and other UK fighter Sandy Ryan.

Earlier case

In December 2023, Amanda Serrano also relinquished her championship after the organization would not authorize her to fight in matches under the same rule-set as fighters’ boxing, with longer duration fights.

WBC’s position

The organization’s leader, Sulaimán, had stated previously that they would not sanction extended rounds in women’s boxing. “Regarding tennis female players compete 3 sets, for basketball the basket is shorter and the ball is smaller and those are less physical sports. We stand by the safety and wellbeing of the athletes,” he commented on social media.

Existing norm

Most women’s title fights have ten rounds of reduced time each, and the British boxer was among over twenty fighters – like Serrano – who started a movement in recently to have the option to fight under the identical regulations as men fighters.

Career statistics

The athlete, who maintains a impressive fight record, made clear that her stand is more than personal preference, presenting it as a struggle for coming generations of female boxers. “It’s an honor of my accomplishment in earning a WBC champion, but it’s right to protest for equality and for the sport’s development,” she concluded.

Coming actions

The athlete is not retiring from professional fighting entirely, however, with her management team her team stating she intends to seek alternative belt prospects and prestigious matches while persisting in her requirement on participating in three-minute rounds.