Chantelle Cameron vs Melissa Hernandez in Las Vegas

Chantelle Cameron vs Melissa Hernandez for WBC Title and More News

 

By David A. Avila

It’s more than just a showdown between WBC super lightweight titlist Chantelle Cameron and challenger Melissa “Huracan” Hernandez, it’s a clash of styles pitting a new age fighter against a skilled veteran of numerous ring wars.

England’s Cameron (13-0, 7 KOs) is betting she has more than enough of everything including firepower to dismiss the experience of Hernandez (23-7-3, 7 KOs) when they meet Saturday May 29, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. DAZN will stream the title fight.

“Everyone is so desperate to stay undefeated, but this is a sport, we all have to climb the ladder and if you are that good, then boxing anyone – that’s my mentality. If I become undisputed and someone is calling me out and they’ve proved themselves, let’s take the fight,” said Cameron about fighting Hernandez a feared veteran.

Backed by a solid amateur career Cameron shot up the rankings and within a year was able to win the IBO world title in just her fifth pro fight. Most of those wins were the result of a knockout.

Puerto Rico’s Hernandez has long been one of the more avoided fighters. Her last fight was two years ago and during that match she dominated another new age fighter. She proved that her experience could neutralize anyone even a young undefeated fighter.

Because of the pandemic women prizefighting has taken a few steps forward with Matchroom Boxing showcasing female fighters like Katie Taylor, Terri Harper and Cameron more than ever before.

This match between Cameron and Hernandez is the co-main event that also features American prodigy Devin Haney fighting multi-division champion Jorge Linares.

A few weeks ago Matchroom was able to promote a fight card in Arlington, Texas that drew more than 73,000 fans. Millions of fans watched on DAZN that event that pitted super middleweights Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and England’s Billy Joe Saunders. It was proof that European fighters versus North American fighters can draw.

Cameron has lofty goals and knows that beating Hernandez adds immense credibility to her resume. Maybe not to the casual fight fans but to experts and members of the prizefighting community a win over the “Huracan” adds pizzazz.

For more than 13 years Hernandez has matched skills with many of the best fighters in countries around the world. Like many of her era, she chased opportunities wherever and whenever they appeared. Canada, Panama, Argentina against world champions and contenders was never a deterrent. Champions such as Jelena Mrdjenovich, Erica Farias and Marcela Acuna all exchanged blows with her. She never turned down fights against top competition.

When vastly skilled Layla McCarter was unable to find anyone willing to face her, she usually resorted to asking the equally skilled Hernandez. It was Hernandez who last defeated McCarter back in 2007. They fought four times.

Unable to find opposition for more than $1,200 she retired. Then returned when offers appeared.

Now here she is fighting Cameron for the world title.

“I expect a fight,” said Hernandez. “That’s all.”

The arrival of female boxing competition to the 2012 and 2016 Olympics changed the women’s prizefighting world. Matchroom signed multiple fighters starting with Ireland’s Katie Taylor and now they have an extensive roster of top talent.

Cameron’s signing with Matchroom has allowed her to sit back and instead of chasing the competition. Now with the world title in her hands she feels in a comfort zone that allows to prepare for all comers.

“I used to have to chase people for fights but now I have the green and gold belt, I am the target,” said Cameron. “I feel good being the target.”

 

2-Min Round: Hooks and Jabs on the Female Fight World (radio/podcast)

The guests this week are WBO and WBC super middleweight titlist Franchon Crews-Dezurn and promoter Terri Moss. This episode will take place on Wednesday 7:30 p.m. PT instead of the normal Thursday night.

Crews-Dezurn is scheduled to meet WBA and IBF super middleweight titlist Elin Cederroos for the undisputed world championship on June 19, at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida. The Triller.com match will be shown on pay-per-view on the undercard of Teofimo Lopez vs George Kambosos for lightweight world championship.

Moss will be staging a Buckhead Fight Club boxing card on June 19, in the Atlanta, Georgia area. The former world champion boxer has been promoting fight cards for a number of years now. She will be our second guest on Wednesday May 26.

 

 

Yoka in SoCal

IBF minimum weight titlist Yokasta Valle will be meeting veteran Carino Moreno at the Pico Rivera Sports Arena on June 11. It’s one of two female bouts scheduled on the Marv Nation Promotion card.

Valle was supposed to headline a major title fight in her hometown San Jose, Costa Rica but that country was shut down due to the rising pandemic numbers. It’s been switched to the Pico Rivera, Calif. a small suburban town 20 miles east of Los Angeles.

Also scheduled to participate on the same boxing card is super flyweight contender Adelaida “La Cobra” Ruiz who is based in L.A.

 

Expect L.A. to Sizzle in July

Anything can happen when it comes to staging fight cards during a pandemic, but inside sources at Golden Boy Promotions are pointing to a Japan versus USA boxing card.

WBA minimum weight world titlist Seniesa Estrada of East L.A. will be moving up a weight division to face WBO light flyweight titlist Tsunami Tenkai of Japan, if all goes according to Hoyle. The clash of champions is slated for Banc of California in Los Angeles on Friday July 9.

Also, Sulem Urbina of Phoenix, Arizona will be challenging WBA flyweight world titlist Naoko Fujioka of Japan for that belt on the same Golden Boy Promotions card. Fujioka is considered one of the top pound for pound fighters by thePrizefighters.com. Urbina is considered one of the top flyweights in the world.

It’s USA versus Japan and it won’t be easy for anyone.

Tickets are available beginning June 2.

 

More Fight News

Australia

On Friday May 28, super flyweights Sarah Higginson (1-0-1) and Sylvia Cinque (0-1) meet eight rounds at Northbridge, Western Australia.

 

Austria

On Saturday May 29, bantamweights Eva Voraberger (25-7) and Vanesa Taborda (10-12-3) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Deutschlandsberg.

 

Belgium

On Saturday May 29, super lightweights Urguya Us (0-0) and Nancy Faure-Geors (0-0) meet four rounds at Liege.

 

Brazil

On Saturday May 29, super bantamweights Lila Dos Santos (4-0) and Valesca Machado (0-0) meet 10 rounds for the Brazilian title at Sao Paulo. Also middleweights Daniele Bastieri (2-1) and Diana Moraes (0-0) meet four rounds.

 

France

On Friday May 28, super bantamweights Segolene Lefebvre (13-0) and Gabriela Bouvier (15-10-1) meet 10 rounds at Douai, Nord.

On Friday May 28, super featherweights Nahed Kharchi (5-4) and Anaelle Angerville (1-0-1) meet six rounds at Drap.

 

Germany

Jessica Schadko (9-1) won by technical knockout in the second round over Katarina Vistica (1-18) on Saturday May 22. The welterweight bout took place at Bayern.

On Friday May 28, bantamweights Michellle Klich (1-0) and Helena Drbohlavova (0-2) meet four rounds at Berlin.

 

Japan

On Friday May 28, flyweights Michiko Abiru (2-5) and Saki Horiguchi (1-3-1) meet four rounds at Tokyo.

 

Mexico

Mariana Juarez (55-10-4) knocked out Alejandra Soto (7-6-1) in the fourth round on Saturday May 22. The bantamweight fight took place at Mexico City.

On Friday May 28, light flyweights Luz Aguilar (6-2-1) and Carolina Rodriguez (16-0) meet 10 rounds at Nuevo Laredo.

On Saturday May 29, super featherweights Mariela Euan (0-1-1) and Kimberly Gonzalez (1-0-1) meet four rounds at Quintana Roo.

 

Poland

On Sunday May 30, bantamweights Andzelika Krysztoforska (0-0) and Oliwia Bednarczyk (0-0) meet four rounds at Stezyca.

 

Serbia

Sarah Boorman (13-0) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Catalina Diaz (6-5) on Friday May 21. The minimum weight title fight was held at Belgrade.

 

Slovenia

Ema Kozin (21-0-1) won by technical knockout in the second round versus Radana Knezevic (2-8) on Saturday May 22. The middleweight bout was held at Ptuj.

 

Tanzania

On Friday May 28, lightweights Joana Nwamerue (3-0) and Leila Yazidu (2-1) meet four rounds at Dar es Salaam.

 

Ukraine

Dilara Yucel (6-0) defeated Svitlana Vaskevych (0-3) by stoppage in the first round on Wednesday May 19. The welterweight match was held at Kiev.

 

United Kingdom

Katie Healy (1-0) defeated veteran Claudia Ferenczi (20-77-8) by decision after four rounds on Friday May 21. The super bantamweight bout took place at Sheffield.

 

USA

Seini Draughn (4-0-1) won by majority decision after four rounds against Monika Harrison (2-3-1) on Saturday May 22. The heavyweight fight took place at Greenville, South Carolina.

On Saturday May 29, super lightweights Chantelle Cameron (13-0) and Melissa Hernandez (23-7-3) meet 10 rounds for the WBC world title at Las Vegas, Nevada.