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Chantelle Cameron chose to relinquish her world championship belt on this week as a symbolic gesture against existing rules in the sport for women, demanding the option to battle in three-minute rounds like male counterparts.

Protest against inequality

Cameron’s decision to relinquish her world title comes from her clear disagreement with the WBC’s mandate that women boxers compete in two-minute rounds, which the veteran boxer regards as unfair standards.

“The sport for women has come a long way, but there’s still work to be done,” the boxer declared. “I’ve always believed in equality and that includes the right to have identical rules, identical prospects, and identical regard.”

History of the title

The British boxer was upgraded to title holder when Katie Taylor was categorized “inactive champion” as she stepped away from boxing. The boxing organization was planning to hold a contract bid on Friday for a fight between the champion and fellow British boxer Sandy Ryan.

Prior instance

In the end of last year, fellow boxer Serrano also relinquished her championship after the organization would not authorize her to compete in bouts under the equivalent rules as male boxing, with longer duration fights.

Organization’s viewpoint

The WBC president, Sulaimán, had declared before that they would not approve longer fights in female matches. “In tennis women play three sets, for basketball the basket is shorter and the ball smaller and those are less physical sports. We prioritize the safety and wellbeing of the boxers,” he wrote on his platform.

Existing norm

Typically women’s championship matches have ten rounds of reduced time each, and Cameron was part of more than two dozen boxers – like Serrano – who started a movement in last year to have the right to compete under the same rules as men fighters.

Fighting history

The athlete, who holds a impressive fight record, emphasized that her stand goes beyond personal preference, describing it as a battle for coming generations of female boxers. “I feel proud of my success in attaining a title holder, but it’s time to take a stand for justice and for the sport’s development,” she concluded.

Next steps

Cameron is not stepping away from professional fighting completely, however, with her representatives MVP saying she plans to pursue other championship opportunities and marquee bouts while continuing to demand on competing in longer duration fights.