‘Taylor hasn’t improved as a pro’ – McGuigan claims Cameron would have too much for champ

Chantelle Cameron [6(4)-0] would hurt Katie Taylor [9(4)-0] en0route to dethroning the unified world champion if they were to meet claims the ‘Clones Cyclone’ Barry McGuigan.

Arguably the greatest female and Irish amateur of all time, aylor has taken the pro game by storm since November of 2016.

The Bray sensation has unified world titles in under 18 months and looks set to be undisputed lightweight queen before 2018 is out.

However, former world champion McGuigan argues his charge Cameron is the best lightweight on the planet.

The controversial Monaghan manager suggests the five-time world amateur champion and now two-belt world pro pugilist was a better amateur than professional and claims she hasn’t made pro improvements.

On the other hand, the Cyclone Promotions boss believes 27-year-old Cameron is made for the paid ranks and would be too strong for his fellow Irish fight legend.

“Cameron’s the best lightweight in the world I’m telling you. Katie has a good chin, again with those who disagree with me, I just feel Chantelle will be too strong, too relentless for her and will hurt her too much,” McGuigan told World Boxing News.

“I saw her in York Hall against Jessica McCaskill and she hurt her throughout the fight and if she can hurt Taylor then I know Chantelle will.

“She’s a better amateur than a professional, I mean this at the greatest respect and don’t want to upset my Irish friends, but I don’t think she has improved as a professional – but Chantelle has certainly improved.

“Katie was beautiful to watch as an amateur, fast hands and spray of combinations but the pro game is much different – you have to stay in the pocket, take shots and have the ability to take punishment and deliver at a high tempo. But much respect to her, she’s a great role model in Ireland,” he added.

While McGuigan believes his fighter would defeat Taylor, he also believes she would defeat those the London 2012 Olympic has on her resume in more devastating fashion.

“People probably see Katie Taylor as the best in the division, I don’t mean to undermine Taylor, but they won’t get battered the way they would against Cameron.

“Taylor will outbox them and school them – but Cameron will beat the living daylights out of them – that’s what the difference is,” he added.

McGuigan seems aware his words my cause upset around Ireland, but in truth Team Taylor won’t be too displeased to read the comments.

Once the 31-year-old talent unifies she will be looking for note worthy fights and opponents. The more McGuigan talks up his charge and down Taylor the more likely, lucrative and appealing a Cameron fight becomes.

The Cyclone boss doesn’t have the best of relationships with the promoter Taylor works closely with, Eddie Hearn – or her manager Brian Peters for that matter – but that could add to the build and prove interesting sub plot.

It’s certainly a fight Cyclone are chasing, perhaps after Cameron’s next fight on the Josh Taylor v Viktor Postol undercard in Glasgow later this month.

“It’s a fight we want down the line and we’re happy to start talking that up as soon as possible.”

“She’ll be defending her IBO title on the June 23 card; her opponent will be imminent. It’s very exciting and I think this girl is going to be a superstar in the professional game.”