“You’re the Olympic champion and you’re a world champion.”
Conor McGregor has told Katie Taylor to keep her ‘head up’ after suffering a devasting loss to Chantelle Cameron in Dublin on Saturday night.
Taylor, 36, suffered defeat in her first professional bout in Ireland. It was also the first loss of her pro career, having come into the fight with a perfect record (22-0).
Cameron, 32, was awarded the victory via majority decision, with one judge scoring the contest as a draw, and the other two scoring it 96-94 in favour of the British boxer.
McGregor was ringside for the bout at the 3Arena and reminded Katie following the loss that she is still a world and Olympic champion.
Conor McGregor calls for Katie Taylor-Chantelle Cameron rematch.
“It was a great fight, a close fight. I had it a draw,” McGregor told The Mirror.
The former UFC lightweight champion said he wants to see a rematch between the pair at Croke Park.
He also noted that Taylor went up in weight for the fight against a heavier opponent, and commended her for doing so.
Conor McGregor reacting to the loss of Katie Taylor
“Another day. Love you to bits.” #Boxing pic.twitter.com/jdT0vQNa6v
— DIOGO (@DiogoCorreaPOD) May 21, 2023
“Give her more time (to prepare for the rematch), she went up in weight at the drop of a hat,” he said.
“She was scheduled for a different style of opponent at a specific weight, and that fell through.
“So, last minute, what does Katie do? She wanted to go up in weight and fight the champion at the heavier weight at the drop of a hat.
“It was a close bout. The size was prevalent,” McGregor continued.
“But Katie is a tactician, give her another bash at that. Give her a chance to do it at Croke Park. For sure, Croke Park is on.”
When asked what was his final message for Katie after such a tough loss, McGregor said:
“(I would tell her) Head up, you’re the champion.
“You’re the Olympic champion and you’re a world champion. Still… Still (the champion) in your division.”
You can watch McGregor’s interview with Mirror Fighting below.
Eddie Hearn reveals rematch plans.
Following the bout, Taylor said she wanted a rematch and her promoter Eddie Hearn that there was a rematch clause in the fight contract.
Hearn said that the Bray boxer intends to activate the clause, and the pair will fight again in Dublin in a few months’ time.
He did not, however, reveal any details about what venue will stage the event.
The icon that is @KatieTaylor makes her way to the ring in front of her home fans 💚#TaylorCameron pic.twitter.com/aohHfPXq4U
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 20, 2023
“I want to congratulate Katie and Chantelle for showing us what boxing is all about,” Hearn said.
“It was a fight that could have gone either way but I think the result was right.
“There is a rematch clause and we want to do it again in the autumn. There’s only one thing on Katie’s mind and that is a rematch.”
Related links.
- Katie Taylor and Chantelle Cameron recapture the magic of boxing
- Katie Taylor makes incredible speech to halt boos raining down on Chantelle Cameron
- Chantelle Cameron rocks 3Arena as she narrowly defeats Katie Taylor
- Katie Taylor vs Chantelle Cameron: Fight time, how to watch and live hub for historic homecoming bout
- Eddie Hearn reveals rematch plans after Katie Taylor defeat to Chantelle Cameron
