At ringside in Dublin, Australian boxing world champion Ebanie Bridges caught up with UFC icon Conor McGregor to witness Irish star Katie Taylor’s first-ever defeat as a professional, against Chantelle Cameron.
Taylor’s highly anticipated bout against Cameron went the distance with the judges scoring it 95-95, 96-94, 96-94 in the favour of the visitor in a decision that shocked everyone in the Dublin 3Arena.
Cameron defended her undisputed light welterweight champion status with the upset victory, while Taylor – the undisputed lightweight queen – fell short on her quest to be an undisputed two-division champion.
IBF bantamweight champion Bridges was there to support both female boxers, while McGregor was cheering for Taylor.
The pair posed for some photographs together ringside, with Bridges posting shots to social media with the caption: ‘Ringside with the one and only @TheNotoriousMMA.’
Australian boxing world champion Ebanie Bridges caught up with UFC superstar Conor McGregor ringside in Dublin for the Taylor-Cameron fight
Bridges was there to support both female boxers, while the Irishman was cheering for Taylor
Before the bout, Bridges told media that she was expecting a close fight from Taylor and Cameron – with Taylor probably getting her hand raised at the end.
‘Taylor’s stepping up in weight and going against someone hungry, spiteful and strong,’ Bridges told talkSPORT.
‘If it wasn’t in Ireland I think Chantelle Cameron would win, but I think for her to win in Ireland it would probably have to be a knockout or an extremely decisive win.
‘And I can’t see that happening because they’re both so skilled and it will be a close fight, but I do think that Cameron can win.
‘Taylor brings a lot of attributes that other fighters haven’t seen like her hand speed, but Cameron has speed as well, she’s relentless, she’s bigger and she doesn’t have as much wear and tear.
‘I’m really excited about this one, I think it’s more exciting than the Taylor vs [Amanda] Serrano fight.’
Taylor struggled to impose herself during the exciting bout, with her opponent seeming to land the more damaging shots and apply more pressure.
Irish fans were shell shocked by the result, but afterwards the green army rallied around their girl and clapped her out of the ring before heading home.
Taylor struggled to impose herself during the exciting bout, with her opponent seeming to land the more damaging shots and apply more pressure throughout the bout
Taylor was visibly emotional by the shock result – as too were the Irish fans
‘It was a close fight,’ Cameron said. ‘Katie’s a great fighter, pound-for-pound best woman boxer there is, and I turned up for the occasion.’
She went on to credit her work-rate for her victory during the post-fight press conference. She said: ‘I think my work rate. I’m always fit. My work rate is something I’m always confident in. I was good at working the inside.’
Cameron also said she would be open to fighting Taylor again and that the Irish boxer would ‘want to put this fight to bed’. She told reporters: ‘Taylor’s going to want the rematch cause she will want to put this fight to bed and get the win. But, it’s going to be on my terms now.’
Matchroom promoter, Eddie Hearn, jumped in shortly after and added: ‘The biggest fight in female boxing is Chantelle Cameron vs Katie Taylor II. But, Chantelle deserves her moment.’
Cameron said afterwards that she would be open to fighting Taylor again
However, not everyone thought that Cameron deserved to win, including boxing superstar Clarissa Shields.
‘Katie won this fight to me!’ she wrote on Twitter after the bout. ‘If y’all want to say a split or majority for Katie! But let’s see! Cameron did good but didn’t dethrone the champ.’
