Mikaela Mayer regrets confronting Chantelle Cameron after their bout on Saturday night in Birmingham, England.
Following a feisty affair, in which Cameron seemed to do just enough to win, Mayer interrupted the WBA, WBC and WBO junior middleweight champion’s celebratory interview and said, “I did beat you.”
Cameron, who won by scores of 97-93 (twice) and 96-94 to take her record to 23-1 (8 KOs), quickly responded, an argument broke out, and the customary show of post-fight respect was nowhere to be seen.
The pair, who also had to be separated at the weigh-in, had previously been cordial during the build-up.
“In the heat of the moment after the fight, I felt I had won, but I knew it was close, and I was prepared to go to the mic and give her her props and say I’m looking forward to the rematch,” Mayer explained to Sky Sports News.
“I’m not going to lie, I heard her on the mic talking trash and it triggered me. It brought something out of me and I feel like I acted in a way that I shouldn’t have.”
Mayer, 22-3 (5 KOs), has been unlucky in all her defeats. Each of them – including the tight reverses to Alycia Baumgardner and Natasha Jonas – were close fights that split opinion.
Mayer, however, accepts some blame this time. After a bright start, in which she jabbed and moved excellently, she allowed herself to be drawn into a firefight from the third round onwards.
“I have not watched the fight back, but I am open to the idea that it was too close,” she said. “I told myself I would not let the fight get close, and I didn’t do that. I let it get too close, and so I can’t be upset at the decision.
“It wasn’t my night, and I have to give her the props for the win. She’s a great fighter, and I’m just excited to go fix my mistakes and do better.”
