Cameron says talks are ‘advanced’ to fight Shields

Chantelle Cameron says that talks for her to fight Claressa Shields are advanced and moving quickly following her victory over Mikaela Mayer.

Cameron defeated Mayer by unanimous decision in a thriller to become WBA, WBC and WBO super-welterweight world champion at MPW-06 in Birmingham on Saturday.

She emerged victorious, edging a tight contest 97-93, 97-93, 96-94 on the judges’ scorecards, further glossing a stellar resume that already honours her as the only woman to ever defeat the great Katie Taylor in her professional career.

With the victory strengthening Cameron’s claim to a place among the greats of the women’s game, she now has eyes on taking on the self-proclaimed ‘GWOAT’ [Greatest woman of all time] in Shields.

Many thought a rematch with Mayer would be next on her list, but Cameron told Sky Sports that things are moving rapidly with the WBC and WBA middleweight champion, who has a record of 19-0 across multiple weight divisions.

“I fancy [fighting] Clarissa Shields. I think I really do want to dare to be great and Clarissa Shields, she’s the GWOAT, she’s No 1 and that’s going to be a fight that will just be unbelievable.

“The teams are actually in talks for that now so there is actually movement on that fight and for me that makes me giddy because I think that really is me challenging the very, very best and what an opportunity if this fight comes off.

“They [talks] are very advanced; it is moving pretty quick is what my managers told me, and it is a very high possibility the fight will happen.”

Dmitry Salita, Shields’ promoter, confirmed that Cameron was firmly in contention for the fight.

Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports, Salita said: “Yes, Chantelle is under serious consideration as Claressa’s next opponent. Claressa wants to fight the best, and Chantelle is unquestionably one of the elite pound-for-pound fighters in women’s boxing. We are exploring the opportunity now, but it is too early to confirm a date.

“Absolutely [we are open to talks with MVP]. Our responsibility to the fighters we represent – and to the fans – is to do everything possible to make the best fights and create the biggest events. That is what being fighter-first means.

“Our track record demonstrates that we have worked with virtually every major promoter to make important fights, so working with MVP is certainly not an issue from our side. We also promote several of the best female fighters in the world, in addition to Claressa, and many of those fighters are involved in co-promotions with Claressa Shields’ promotion.

“Definitely [Shields would welcome the challenge]. She has made that very clear on social media, and we have also had several conversations about it. Claressa wants to fight the best, and Chantelle represents exactly that kind of challenge.”

What about Shields vs Price?

Back when Shields beat Kaye Scott in the sixth round to reclaim those belts in August, it was discussed that her next preferred opponent would be Lauren Price.

Indeed, Shields said she would like this fight to take place between December and January.

It is a fight that Price has also welcomed, but Salita, believes the “mega” event “belongs in the United States.