Cameron unifies light-middleweight division after dominant Mayer win

The British boxer secured a close victory in an engaging contest, with the judges awarding her a unanimous decision, scoring it 97-93 on two cards and 96-94 on the third.

Mayer, from America, voiced her disagreement with the outcome, asserting that she had skillfully outboxed Cameron, which led to a heated exchange of words between the two in the ring.

The possibility of a return bout was also suggested, with Mayer hinting that Cameron benefited from fighting on home soil, a comment that reportedly annoyed the champion, who remarked that such talk was meaningless.

This result means Cameron's undefeated record stands since her second match against Katie Taylor in 2023, boasting 23 wins from 24 professional fights.

This particular bout showcased one of Cameron's top performances, as both fighters were remarkably well-matched across various aspects, including punch output, physical dimensions, and even hair style.

Nevertheless, Cameron triumphed due to her relentless pressure, which effectively prevented the usually adaptable Mayer from formulating a successful strategy.

Initially, Mayer presented a more formidable presence, but Cameron adopted a counter-punching approach until she was able to take the offensive.

Cameron cornered Mayer against the ropes during the fourth round and again at the commencement of the fifth; growing in confidence to initiate attacks, she was cheered on by a partisan yet disappointingly sparse local audience.

Mayer struggled to effectively use her jab for extended periods and by the sixth round, she was bleeding and breathing heavily.

Despite sustaining a cut in the later rounds, the local favourite persevered and was hoisted onto her team's shoulders before the announcement of what was her most significant win since defeating Taylor in Dublin three years prior.

For Mayer, a three-weight world champion, this marked her third loss in a 25-fight career, leading her to forfeit the WBA and WBC belts, which Cameron now holds alongside her WBO title.

When originally announced, this event was promoted as the premier boxing attraction for the August bank holiday weekend in Britain.

However, the elevation of the Moses Itauma versus Filip Hrgovic bout to a world title contest unexpectedly made this highly anticipated event feel like a preliminary act.

This was evident in the attendance, with many empty seats visible around the arena as the main undercard commenced; by a generous estimate, the BP Pulse Arena was only half-full when the main event fighters entered the ring.

Mayer and Cameron made significant efforts to create a big-fight atmosphere during the build-up; their previously cordial relationship turned tense on Friday when they confronted each other at the weigh-in held at BP Pulse Arena.

Cameron pushed her head into the American fighter, who then retaliated with a push of her own, before they exchanged verbal insults while standing side-by-side.

On the night of the fight, Mayer emphasized her status as the away competitor by entering the ring to Lenny Kravitz's 'American Woman'; she also wore a black durag over her signature blonde hair, which she later removed to reveal tight dreadlocks, a hairstyle identical to Cameron's.

Ultimately, however, her audacity was diminished by Cameron, with a powerful right hand to the chin in the seventh round being one of the most impactful punches.