Underdog Taylor vows to grasp ‘second chance’
Katie Taylor says she intends to grasp her “second chance” against Chantelle Cameron in their rematch on Saturday in Dublin.
Taylor suffered the first defeat of her professional career in May when she lost to light-welterweight champion Cameron.
The 37-year-old Taylor has never gone into a pro fight as an underdog before and expects a very different contest.
“I just can’t wait to fight at this stage, where I’m seen as the underdog fighter,” Taylor said.
“Whoever walks to the ring first or second, all that stuff is irrelevant.
“I’m just excited and hungry for the rematch. I can’t wait to step in there on Saturday and perform the way I know I can.”
Cameron, 32, is undefeated in 18 fights and has produced mammoth achievements since the start of last November.
In that time, she has claimed the undisputed championship, becoming the first British female to do so and attaining that status by beating American Jessica McCaskill and pound-for-pound number one Taylor, who she got the better of first time around in Dublin.
The Northampton fighter says she will set a “hot pace” against Irish superstar Taylor and anticipates a better performance from the undisputed lightweight champion.
“I’m not complacent whatsoever,” Cameron said.
“I feel like it’s the best training camp I’ve had because I knew I’ll be up against it – Katie seeking revenge – so I couldn’t take that into my stride thinking it’s going to be a walk in the park because I know it isn’t.”
There was little fighting talk between either woman in a low-key news conference in Dublin.
Six months ago there was a joyous pre-fight homecoming for Taylor, but this time the Irishwoman was visibly eager to bring a quick end to her media duties.
Taylor has done little press this week, turning down outlets she would normally speak to, and admitted she “hates all the talk, all the media”.
Her coach Ross Enamait said no one was giving his fighter a “shot” against Cameron, and Taylor was asked if she wanted to prove the doubters wrong.
“I guess so,” Taylor said after a pause.
“I don’t really take too much notice of what people are saying to be honest. I’m very single-minded and the only people I really listen to are my team, my family, and the people I trust.
“I understand this is a huge fight, I understand this is a must-win fight for me.
“I can’t wait to just step in there at this stage. I know I’m going to perform to the best of my ability on Saturday.
“It’s going to be a completely different fight to last time.”
Cameron was the polar opposite of a stony-faced Taylor on the top table, saying she was embracing the moment and enjoying Dublin much more than she did in May.
“I do feel really comfortable,” she said. “I’m embracing the week.
“I’m enjoying it for once – I usually hate all this. I’m taking it in my stride and just enjoying it.”
Is Taylor feeling the pressure? – Analysis
Taylor has a massive task on her hands, but the Irishwoman is no stranger to seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Retired world champion Andy Lee said a win for Taylor would rank as “one of the greatest turnarounds in boxing history”, should it happen. But even Lee, a proud Irishman, is backing Cameron.
Cameron has been given all the trappings of a champion this week, unlike six months ago when she played second fiddle to Taylor. At the open workouts on Wednesday, she was last to appear and stayed behind to sign gloves and T-shirts for fans.
Taylor was quickly whisked away, signing gloves on the move, and did very little media, refusing to double up on any outlets she had already spoken to last week. That approach continued on Thursday.
The London 2012 Olympic gold medallist has always been laser-focused in fight weeks, but her homecoming in May was all cheer before the fight, and this time feels like a much more serious affair.
Defeat for the first time as a pro and the first time in any capacity for seven years will have stung Taylor. Having it happen at home would have been heartbreaking.
But Cameron is a big favourite now for Saturday night after her punch-perfect performance in their first fight. The Briton seems unstoppable at the moment and is finally growing in confidence.
She was not booed at the workout and, unlike six months ago, there were fans shouting her name and asking for her autograph.