American boxer Mikaela Mayer and Britain's Chantelle Cameron will meet in a world title unification fight in Birmingham on Saturday night.
Cameron enters the bout as the WBO super welterweight champion with a professional record of 22 wins and one loss. Mayer holds the WBA and WBC super welterweight titles with a record of 22 wins and two losses. The fight will be broadcast live on Sky Sports as part of the MVPW-06 card.
At Thursday's pre-fight press conference in Birmingham, former undisputed world champion Alycia Baumgardner took a seat in the front row and unexpectedly asked Mayer a question from the audience. Baumgardner had spoken minutes earlier following the announcement of her November 8 clash against Elif Nur Turhan.
Mayer paused and smiled upon realising who had taken the microphone before addressing her former rival.
"I've got better and better and better, I've learned not to make the mistakes I made with you," Mayer said. "When I get in there I'll start quick, start fast, not letting anything get away from me, not leaving it to the judges, because you can't always trust the judges."
Mayer suffered a split decision defeat to Baumgardner in their world title unification bout at The O2 in October 2022, a fight Mayer maintains she won. Baumgardner is on course for a potential showdown with London lightweight Caroline Dubois if both win their upcoming fights.
Title unification stakes and fighter records
Both fighters have overcome career setbacks to return to the top of the sport. Mayer previously experienced decision losses against Baumgardner and Natasha Jonas that she considered unjust. Cameron lost a rematch against Katie Taylor after becoming the only boxer to defeat the Irish star in her professional career.
"I'm in the stage in my career, these are the only type of fights I really want," Mayer said. "We've had similar careers, a lot of ups and a few downs, but we both always wanted to fight our best. We are at the top of our game and navigated our way back to the top."
Cameron called on Mayer to deliver the fight of the year and stated she is in peak condition.
"Let's go get fight of the year," Cameron said. "I've had a few ups and downs but I'm in a good place. I think I'm in the form of my life."
Cameron praised Mayer's abilities but suggested her opponent's pre-fight talk indicated a lack of confidence. "I think Mikaela is very good, she's brilliant, I'm a fan of hers. I watch her and enjoy it, it's why I wanted to fight her, I want to fight the best," Cameron said. "Styles make fights, Mikaela's style is different to Katie Taylor, I think our styles gel for a really good fight." Cameron added that she is certain of winning a close contest.
Tactical approaches and knockout predictions
Mayer insisted earlier in the week that it would be impossible for Cameron to prepare for her because of her expanded technical skills, claiming her versatility would be the deciding factor.
"I think I can just do more. You look at her style, it's very straightforward, I'm a little more diverse," Mayer said. "When I need to switch up the game plan if need be, I can, I have other tools in my pocket. Sometimes in these big fights you have to adjust, and if I have to I have what it takes."
Mayer also said that if she reproduces her form from training camp, she could shock pundits calling the fight a close contest and win by knockout.
Caroline Dubois defends world titles on chief support
Saturday's chief support sees Londoner Caroline Dubois defend her WBC and WBO lightweight world titles against America's Amelia Moore. Observers have noted Dubois possesses the qualities to eventually replace Katie Taylor at the top of women's boxing.
Dubois has relocated her training camp to Los Angeles and appointed a new team. During their head-to-head encounter, Dubois spoke continuously to Moore, who did not appear to enjoy the lengthy conversation.
"I'm 100 per cent confident, I've come so far, I'changed my team, moved to LA, dedicated myself and I'm excited," Dubois said. "It's an opportunity to show the world why I'm the best in the 135lb division."
Dubois rejected suggestions that she was looking past Moore towards a potential mega-fight with Baumgardner.
"I always have an issue with people saying about overlooking opponents, I'm a person who believes in goals, big goals, little goals. Little goals can be training, big ones can be becoming undisputed, my mind and heart and soul is set on being undisputed, nobody will stop me achieving that," Dubois said. "I see respect as training as hard as I absolutely can, I've trained like an absolute animal and left no stone unturned. There's no way I've looked past her."
The event will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with streaming available without a contract. Baumgardner is scheduled to fight next on November 8 against Elif Nur Turhan.
