Cameron outpoints Mekhaled in solid comeback win

Former world champion Chantelle Cameron returned to winning ways pinch a coagulated points triumph complete Elhem Mekhaled astatine Birmingham's Resort World Arena.

Cameron, 33, dominated for astir of an entertaining title against nan durable Frenchwoman.

Mekhaled showed a willingness to guidelines and waste and acquisition but Cameron was nan deserved victor successful her first outing since losing nan undisputed light-welterweight crown to Katie Taylor in November.

She was awarded a mostly determination pinch scorecards of 99-92, 98-92 and 1 contentious people of 95-95.

“It's been a unsmooth chapter. I'm backmost now, and I'm coming for nan belts again. This is conscionable nan beginning," Cameron said.

The Northampton boxer was making her Queensberry debut aft signing pinch promoter Frank Warren this year.

Cameron was outpointed by Taylor successful Dublin 8 months agone successful her first master loss, aft beating nan Irishwoman connected points successful their first gathering successful May 2023.

A trilogy bout could not beryllium negotiated and pound-for-pound prima Taylor is group to look Amanda Serrano successful Texas successful November.

But Warren suggested his combatant will target nan winner, pinch Cameron adding: "Everyone knows who I want."

Cameron said successful nan build-up astir nan load of nan undefeated grounds nary longer weighing heavy connected her, and she seemed to bask nan opening rounds.

In her first conflict nether nan tutelage of trainer Grant Smith, Cameron landed flush near hooks and bullied nan backtracking Mekhaled.

The Parisian, 33, took successful gasps of aerial arsenic she walked backmost to her area aft nan 2nd and third.

But Mekhaled – who had only mislaid astatine nan highest level successful a 14-fight profession pinch points defeats by Delfine Persoon and Alycia Baumgardner – did not backmost down.

She landed immoderate dense hits of her ain successful a terrific all-action 4th information which sparked nan attraction of nan third-full arena.

Cameron became England's first four-belt undisputed champion successful 2022, and nan gulf successful people became evident arsenic nan title progressed.

She was beating her force to nan punch, moving nan assemblage and easing retired of scope of immoderate attack.

The crowd's liking was momentarily distracted by a brawl successful nan stands successful nan ninth round, earlier nan boxers closed nan show by continuing to fto their hands spell until nan last seconds of nan 10th.

Cameron said she is readying to return to nan ringing soon, adding: "It's my first campy pinch Grant [Smith] - I conscionable want to support nan momentum. I don't want to beryllium waiting around."