Challenger mentality.
Eagle-eyed fans will have notice a subtle but key difference in Katie Taylor during the build up to her rematch with Chantelle Cameron on Saturday night at the 3Arena.
Taylor lost the first bout, suffering her first professional defeat in the process, and is determined to right that wrong with another crack at the English fighter.
Although the rounds were close, and the fight was incredibly competitive as well as exciting, Cameron undoubtedly won the majority of the rounds, and was a clear winner on the night.
Her come-forward bullish style made the ring seem smaller than usual, as she hunted down the undefeated champion, and locked horns with her on close exchanges, something which was always going to favour the away boxer.
It’s worth noting that when Taylor beat Amanda Serrano, she became the unified undisputed lightweight champion, holding every single belt in that division, while Cameron was the unified undisputed light-welterweight champion, holding all of the belts there.
The Irish woman made the jump up in weight so she could attempt to become undisputed across two weight divisions, something which she can still achieve if she were to win on Saturday night.
However, even though she lost the last fight, Taylor did not have to relinquish any of her belts from lightweight, because the fight was not at that weight class, and therefore those belts were never on the line.
Eagle-eyed fans notice key difference in Katie Taylor during build up to rematch.
What’s important to note though, was that all during the build up last time, the bray native would show up to the press conferences, weigh in, and media events with all her belts, holding them as she posed for photos alongside her opponent, who was also sporting her title collection.
The idea was because the fight was sold as being undisputed vs undisputed, but what eagle-eyed fans noticed this time around, is that Taylor has left her world titles at home this time, choosing to go to all of the media events empty handed.
This is a clear insight into her mentality this time around, as the Olympic gold medalist is leaning into her role as the challenger, and is happy to be the underdog this time around.
With the bookies backing Cameron, it is the first time in Taylor’s professional career that she is not the favourite, and it might just bring out the best in the Irish hero who is determined to get revenge in the rematch.
Chantelle Cameron vs Katie Taylor, this Saturday November 25th, kicks off an unrivalled schedule live on DAZN. Sign-up at DAZN.com
Related links:
- Chantelle Cameron has changed how she thinks of Katie Taylor after first fight
- Here’s how to watch the Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron fight this Saturday
- “She is on the slide” – British boxing hero gives cut-throat take on Katie Taylor’s career
