A HESITANT start was the deciding factor against Chantelle Cameron in May, says Katie Taylor, but she won’t lose second time out for lack of throwing her hands.
Whether it was the pressure of fighting at home for the first time, being the favourite, or simply Cameron’s excellent performance, Taylor was out-worked first time out and could have no complaints when the Englishwoman’s hand was raised at the 3Arena.
Taylor had other fight options afterwards but Cameron II was the only fight she wanted and the Bray native is determined to settle the score on November 25.
“I wouldn’t say we’ve made too many changes,” said Taylor, who touched down on home soil on Tuesday and returns to base in Connecticut on Thursday.
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“Obviously after a loss you’re forced to analyse absolutely everything. The loss was a setback and I realise that I have to do things differently in the rematch – I can’t expect to do the same thing twice and get different results. So I understand that I’m going to have to make a few adjustments and to be more effective and we know what we need to do.”
What will she do differently? That’s between her and her coach Ross Enamait who is a man of very few words.
“Losses are always very, very tough to take,” added Taylor.
“I’m a competitor, I love to win and I train to win so a loss is never easy but I’m just so grateful that I have another chance in this rematch. It’s not everybody who gets this opportunity to have a rematch so I’m in a great position here and I’m very grateful that I have a second chance of making things right.”
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Cameron was an energetic force in the first fight and although Taylor did find her rhythm, Northampton’s world champion always seemed to be in control.
Taylor said she didn’t think Cameron came up with “any surprises”, it was her own lack of intent in the early rounds that cost her the fight.
“Chantelle obviously brought her workrate but I think I left the early rounds a bit too subjective,” she said.
“I think I was sharper and stronger in the exchanges but I just didn’t let my hands go enough in the early rounds. I just wasn’t busy enough in the first few rounds.”
Her unbeaten record is gone but losing her ‘0’ was of no great consequence, says Taylor. All she wanted was to be involved in the biggest fights going and if she finds a way to turn a clear loss into a win and becomes an undisputed two-weight world champion it will go down as one of the greatest wins for Irish boxing.
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn was also in Dublin on Tuesday. Hearn explained that WBC rules mean this fight cannot be over 12, three-minute rounds although Taylor and Cameron would be prepared to do the extended distance.
Hearn says the fight is a “must-win” for Taylor.
She agrees: “Every fight is a must-win fight.
“This fight is no different. Certainly another loss makes becoming a two-weight undisputed champion very difficult. So I know this fight really matters for my career. I love these kind of fights - I love being in these kind of pressure situations.”
