Britain's Chantelle Cameron has made headlines once again, but this time, it's not for her prowess in the ring. On October 31, 2025, Cameron relinquished her WBC light-welterweight world title in a bold protest against what she describes as lingering inequality in women's professional boxing. Her decision, which comes just weeks after being upgraded to full champion status, has reignited a heated debate about the rules that govern the sport and the ongoing struggle for parity between male and female fighters.
For years, women's title fights have been limited to 10 rounds of two minutes each, a stark contrast to the 12 three-minute rounds contested by their male counterparts. Cameron, who has built a reputation for never shying away from a challenge, is now challenging the system itself. "Women's boxing has come a long way, but there's still progress to be made," Cameron declared, echoing a sentiment shared by many in the sport. "I've always believed in equality, and that includes the choice to fight equal rounds, equal opportunities, and equal respect. I'm proud of my accomplishment in becoming a WBC champion, but it's time to take a stand for what's right and for the future of the sport."
The Northampton-born fighter's protest is not merely a personal stand; it's part of a growing movement among elite female boxers demanding the right to compete under the same conditions as men. In October 2023, Amanda Serrano—then an undisputed featherweight world champion—joined more than 20 women boxers in calling for title fights to be extended to 12 three-minute rounds. Serrano herself relinquished her WBC title in December 2023, stating, "The WBC has refused to evolve the sport for equality so I am relinquishing their title. Moving forward if a sanctioning body doesn't want to give me and my fellow fighters the choice to fight the same as the men, then I will not be fighting for that sanctioning body."
Cameron's decision comes at a pivotal moment in her career. Since turning professional in 2017, she has amassed an impressive record of 21 wins and just one loss, capturing world titles at both lightweight and light-welterweight. She made history in May 2023 by handing Ireland's Katie Taylor her first career defeat to become the undisputed champion, only to lose the rematch six months later. A trilogy bout between the two was mandated, but Taylor opted to take a break from boxing, leaving Cameron as the division's newly crowned champion by default.
Despite being elevated from interim to full WBC light-welterweight world champion in September 2025 after Taylor's hiatus, Cameron never got the chance to defend her title. The WBC had ordered her to defend against fellow Brit Sandy Ryan, with purse bids scheduled for October 31—the very day Cameron chose to vacate her belt. Instead of stepping into the ring under the current rules, she opted to step away from the title, sending a powerful message to the sport's governing bodies.
Her stance has drawn praise from across the boxing community. Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions (MVP)—the promotional company Cameron recently joined—was unequivocal in his support: "Chantelle has never backed down from a challenge, inside or outside the ring. This decision underscores her integrity and her leadership as one of the sport's elite fighters. MVP stands firmly behind Chantelle and her commitment to help drive women's boxing toward true parity."
The debate over round length and fight duration in women's boxing is hardly new, but the recent actions of high-profile fighters like Cameron and Serrano have brought the issue to the forefront. The World Boxing Council (WBC), led by president Mauricio Sulaimán, has maintained its stance on the matter, citing safety concerns. Sulaimán remarked earlier in 2023, "[In] tennis women play 3 sets, [in] basketball the basket is shorter and the ball smaller and those are not contact sports. We stand by the safety and wellbeing of the fighters." For many female boxers, however, the argument rings hollow. They point out that the current rules not only limit their earning potential and exposure but also perpetuate a perception of inferiority compared to their male peers.
Cameron's protest is about more than just her own career trajectory. She has made it clear that her decision is motivated by a desire to create lasting change for future generations of female fighters. "I'm proud of my accomplishment in becoming a WBC champion, but it's time to take a stand for what's right and for the future of the sport," she reiterated, emphasizing the broader implications of her actions.
While Cameron's immediate future in the ring remains uncertain, her promoters at MVP have confirmed that she is not stepping away from boxing altogether. According to a statement from the company, Cameron "remains focused on returning to the ring in early 2026" and "will continue to pursue championship opportunities and marquee bouts maintaining the choice to fight three-minute rounds." Her insistence on fighting under the same conditions as men is likely to shape the negotiations for her next bout and could influence the direction of women's boxing more broadly.
The impact of Cameron's protest is already being felt. By relinquishing her title rather than compromising her principles, she has forced the sport's governing bodies and fans alike to confront uncomfortable questions about fairness, safety, and the future of women's boxing. Will her stand inspire others to follow suit, or will the status quo prevail?
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: Chantelle Cameron's actions have reignited a vital conversation about equality in boxing. Her willingness to sacrifice her hard-earned title for the sake of principle may well prove to be a turning point—not just for her career, but for the sport as a whole. With her eyes set on a 2026 return and a continued push for three-minute rounds, Cameron's fight for parity is far from over.
The world of boxing will be watching closely to see whether the sport's leaders respond to this latest call for change, or whether more top athletes will be compelled to take similar stands. For now, Cameron's bold move stands as a testament to the power of conviction and the ongoing quest for genuine equality in the ring.
