Revenge, not repeat.
Katie Taylor has defeated
Chantelle Cameron to win a historic rematch and become the undisputed champion across two weight divisions, thus cementing her place as Ireland's best fighter
ever.
The script was flipped from the start when not only did Taylor walk first, embedding the 'challenger' mentality from the off, but her entrance was significantly shorter this time.
There was no 'taking it all in' or soaking up the atmosphere; the Irish fighter was completely in the zone and cared only about the business at hand.
Cameron's ring walk was slightly longer, perhaps a bit of payback for how her opponent made her wait last time around, but it was by no means disrespectful, and Cameron looked equally as eager to get the battle underway.
With the atmosphere at fever pitch, it felt as though the bout had absolutely no choice but to get off to a flyer - all guns blazing, and statements ready to be made.
Here is our round by round take from the fight by Lee Costello at ringside.
Round one:
Taylor made it clear from the start that she was going to box and not brawl in this round, and was up on her toes, throwing some lovely combinations, but Cameron got stronger as it finished.
The English fighter probably hit the cleaner shots though.
Cameron's round:
10/9
Round two:
A much clearer round for Taylor, who was doing well to get inside, but kept getting caught on the way out. By the end of the round she would either get out successfully or tie Cameron up which frustrated her opponent.
Taylor's round:
10/9
Round three:
The Bray boxer came even stronger in this round, throwing punches in bunches, and landing much cleaner. Cameron kept getting tied up and by the end of the round a clash of heads seemed to cause a cut over her eye.
Clear round for Taylor.
Taylor's round:
10/9
Round four:
Last time Cameron bullied Taylor on the inside, but it's role reversal as there has been a real spite to home fighter's work here. She was nasty, tough and not afraid to throw in the click.
The cut is becoming a serious problem for Cameron at this point.
Taylor's round:
10/9
Round five:
Keen to keep working off the counter, Taylor started the round very cagey as Cameron decided to not rush in as much, but when the action inevitably started to roll again, Taylor got the better of the exchanges.
Taylor's round:
10/9
Round six:
Cameron isn't the champion for nothing and she came out swinging for this one, quite literally. Although Taylor managed to ride the wave, it was definitely the British boxer's best round.
Cameron's round:
10/9
Round seven:
A very, very tight round, but the 2012 Olympian can fight as well as box, and when trading on the inside in this round, she got off on the better fight and with cleaner scores.
Cameron seems frustrated by the referee who keeps calling on her to stop hitting the back of the head.
Taylor's round:
10/9
Round eight:
Cameron matched Taylor for volume this round, and definitely got the cleaner, harder shots. Taylor looks fatigued and it's now a very, very close fight.
Cameron's round:
10/9
Round nine:
The arena was fearful that their home fighter had nothing left, but she found her second wind in this round, threw huge flurries and was a clear winner, leaving it all to play for in the last round.
Round ten:
Both fighters came and threw the kitchen sink in an epic round that saw two warriors leave everything out there. Perhaps in her desperation Cameron was able to muster just a little bit more and stole this round, but Taylor wins on our scorecard.
Cameron's round:
10/9
The judges in Dublin gave it to Taylor on a split decision, with the last scorecard announced matching that of this writer's.
One thing is for sure - we wouldn't mind seeing it again.
Chantelle Cameron vs Katie Taylor, this Saturday November 25th, kicks off an unrivalled schedule live on DAZN. Sign-up at DAZN.com
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