After missing out on a rubber match with rival Katie Taylor, former undisputed super lightweight champion Chantelle Cameron has parted ways with Matchroom Boxing and joined forces with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions.
“You can expect fireworks,” Cameron, from Northampton, told a press conference today to announce her up-to-date promotional stable. “I’m coming with a vengeance and to get rid of all the frustrations I’ve had with all the ups and downs.
“I’m ecstatic, I can’t wait to start working with Queensberry. I’ve always liked Frank Warren, I think he’s got a real grip on reality. I’m going to make a statement at 140 and I’m coming back to get my belts back.”
“I’m so grateful to everyone who came to support me in Dublin,” she said. “It’ll be nice that my fans won’t have to travel so far and can just hop on a train or jump in a car.”
Cameron (18-1, 8 KOs) dominated Adriana Araujo and Mary McGee to claim WBC and IBF gold, then captured the other two vacant belts by outclassing Jessica McCaskill. That set up a fight with long-term target Katie Taylor, whom Cameron defeated by a competitive but clear decision before losing in a thrilling rematch.
Cameron later alleged that Taylor refused to commit to a third fight, and with Taylor now set for a rematch with Amanda Serrano, Cameron decided to move on. Whether this will actually open up more opportunities for her is an open question; Taylor still holds all the belts, though at 37, her reign may not be as long, even with another win over Serrano.
Queensberry also announced the signing of Aadam Hamed (1-0, 1 KO), son of featherweight legend Naseem.
“I always wanted a UK promoter and I always knew in my heart that I wanted it to be Frank,” Hamed said. “I felt like he would always be the one who looked after me the most – I look at him as family, gigantic Uncle Frank.
“The hunger to be a fighter was always there – I came from my dad. But I want to go my own way, be my own man. I transplant every day and I take it seriously, and sooner or later you’ll see it.
On a side note, does “graft” have some slang meaning unrelated to “sticking things to other things” that I’m not aware of? I hear that word and think this guy.