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Chantelle Cameron chose to relinquish her prestigious boxing title on Friday as a form of protest against current regulations in the sport for women, insisting on the right to fight in three-minute rounds like male counterparts.

Protest against disparity

Cameron’s decision to give up her title stems from her firm stance with the WBC’s mandate that women compete in reduced rounds, which the 34-year-old views as gender disparity.

“The sport for women has come a long way, but there’s still work to be done,” Cameron stated. “I firmly believe in equality and that includes the option to compete under equal conditions, the same chances, and identical regard.”

History of the belt

The British boxer was upgraded to world championship status when Katie Taylor was named “temporary champion” as she paused from boxing. The World Boxing Council was set to have a financial bid on recently for a fight between the champion and other UK fighter the challenger.

Earlier case

In the end of last year, Amanda Serrano similarly gave up her belt after the governing body refused to allow her to participate in matches under the same rule-set as men’s boxing, with 12 three-minute rounds.

WBC’s position

The organization’s leader, Mauricio Sulaimán, had stated previously that they would not approve 12 three-minute rounds in female matches. “In tennis female players compete fewer sets, in basketball the hoop is lower and the ball smaller and those are not contact sports. We support the welfare of the athletes,” he wrote on his platform.

Existing norm

The majority of female championship bouts have ten rounds of reduced time each, and the British boxer was part of over twenty fighters – including Serrano – who initiated an effort in recently to have the choice to participate under the same rules as male boxers.

Fighting history

Cameron, who boasts a impressive fight record, made clear that her demonstration is more than her own wishes, framing it as a struggle for future generations of female athletes. “I feel proud of my accomplishment in earning a title holder, but it’s moment to make a statement for justice and for the boxing’s progression,” she continued.

Next steps

Cameron is not stepping away from professional fighting altogether, however, with her promoters her team stating she plans to pursue alternative belt prospects and prestigious matches while maintaining her insistence on competing in three-minute rounds.