Who is Chantelle Cameron, and when will she take on Katie Taylor?

CHANTELLE CAMERON faces Mexican opponent Jessica Gonzalez at London's York Hall on Saturday.

The unbeaten Northampton fighter defends her IBO world lightweight title in only her eighth fight as a pro.

The WBC silver lightweight crown is also at stake.

Cameron, 27, trains at Barry McGuigan's famed Cyclone Promotions gym in Wandsworth, south London.

Ultimately, she is looking for a showdown with Irish star Katie Taylor, the unified lightweight female world champion.

Cameron lays into Natalie Aguirre in Glasgow in June

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So what is Chantelle Cameron's background?

Cameron is an ex-martial arts ace who started kick boxing at the age of 10. She switched to boxing at 18 and, after her first few bouts, won the ABA Nationals.

Naturally, call-ups for both the England and Great Britain squads followed.

Does Chantelle have a nickname?

Yes. She is known as 'Wham, Bam, Chan.'

Chantelle with trainer Shane McGuigan and the Cyclone Promotions team

How good is her latest opponent?

Gonzales, 30, is a former world title challenger who has suffered three defeats in her last four bouts.

But they have all been world title shots.

Where can I watch the fight and can I live stream it?

Chantelle Cameron vs Jessica Gonzalez live on 5Spike Channel 5, on Saturday, October 13.

What makes Chantelle the talent she undoubtedly is?

Basically her punching power, fitness and desire to get the job done.

She is trained by Shane McGuigan of George Groves' fame and who previously worked with David Haye and Carl Frampton.

I hear Cameron prefers to spar with men.

That's right. She says: "I train with the men because they hit harder and are sharper. The guys don't hold back - if I catch them with a good shot they want to take my head off.

"I've got to mix it with the lads if I want to get to the top of the game. They get the best out if me."

The word is she is also unhappy that women only fight two-minute rounds.

Yes. Cameron often spars over three minute rounds and thinks female fight nights should follow suit.

She explains: "People are screaming about equality and equal rights so why should female boxing be different to men's?

"We get punched without head guards and wear small gloves, so it should be the same. Ladies' boxing is on television now and people want a proper night's boxing. The fans would get more out of it."

How close is Chantelle to taking on Katie Taylor?

Well, she must get past Gonzalez first and will leave it to the McGuigan camp to plot her path forward.

She says: "I'm bouncing now as a professional and I'm happy with the training; my life is a lot happier than in the amateur days.

"Katie Taylor? I'm in no rush, she's got the title and if I want to unify the titles I will have to fight her at some point. Bring it on."

Finally, does Cameron get nervous before a fight?

Ineed she does. "I get really nervous, too, in the warm-up, thinking  'what am I doing. I don't need this,' she says.

"The ring walk is the worst - I'm not afraid of being hurt 'cos I spar so much with the guys. It's the thought of losing that gets me.

"But then the bell goes and it's like a switch is turned on - I'm a changed person. I am oblivious to everything other than my opponent and I blank everything else - the crowd and so on  - out."

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