Northampton’s WBC 140lbs champion Chantelle Cameron ultimately had too much fire and finesse for IBF belt holder Mary McGee, triumphing in a fast-paced and compelling unification clash at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday night.
Scores were 100-90, 99-91 and 99-92 though the bout proved absorbing and competitive throughout thanks to the sheer tenacity of McGee. Yet Cameron always held a crucial edge in every department.
The vibrant Cameron illustrated more drive and devil; her heftier shots and inside work were a constant scourge for Indiana’s McGee and she exhibited fine movement and boxing acumen whenever the visitor changed tack.
Switching stances, McGee was often second best but she never wanted for effort. Cameron usually came out on top when they traded blows freely in exciting cameos, but McGee’s heart never wavered.
The action was often exhilarating with Cameron and McGee going toe-to-toe in a feverish exchange at the end of the eighth. McGee poured on the pressure in the final round, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tables.
Cameron will now meet the winner of the bout between WBA/IBO champion Kali Reis and Canada’s Jessica Camara on November 19, with the vacant WBO title also on the line, to decide an undisputed champion at 140lbs in 2022.
Croatian heavyweight entertainer Alen Babic blew away hapless Texan Eric Molina in two rounds in a predictably wild and woolly encounter. Babic’s swarming aggression and industry proved too much for the bewildered American.
Former world title challenger Molina, now resembling a shot fighter, was down in the opening moments of the fight and then three times in the second round, from a mixture of scuffing blows and poor balance, before the bout was waved off.
Babic moves to 9-0, 9 KOs and is angling for a fight with Doncaster favourite Dave Allen.
Light-heavyweight contender Craig Richards overcame a slow start to halt Poland’s Marek Matyja in six rounds. Crystal Palace’s Richards, a former British champion and WBA title challenger, stepped up the pace in the sixth, stunning Matyja with a hefty right uppercut before a follow-up assault prompted referee John Latham’s intervention.
Texan 130-pounder Jorge David Castaneda finished strongly to pip the previously unbeaten Youssef Khoumari via majority decision. Scores were 97-94, 96-94 for the visitor, overruling one even 95-95 card. The American’s sterling workrate in the closing three rounds swung a close fight his way.
Meanwhile, ‘Romford Bull’ Johnny Fisher mowed down Cadiz’s Alvaro Terro in two rounds to move to 4-0, 4 KOs, scoring three knockdowns in the second round. The popular Essex heavyweight sold 1,400 tickets and is being groomed into an attraction with a loyal and vocal fanbase already behind him.
Earlier, Matchroom’s recent cruiserweight signing Jordan Thompson, from Manchester, finished Piotr Podlucki with a big right hand in the first round to extend his unbeaten run to 11 (9 KOs) whilst Catford’s Ellie Scotney, in her first fight with new coach Shane McGuigan, outpointed Spain’s plucky Eva Cantos over eight rounds at super-bantam, referee John Latham scored 79-73.
Main image: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing.