Will Il Capo Become Undisputed or Will CasKILLA Double her Belts?
2022 has been the year of the women for boxing. The hope is that it will continue on November 5 when Chantelle “Il Capo” Cameron (16-0, 8 KOs) faces Jessica “CasKILLA” McCaskill (12-2-2, 5 KOs) for the undisputed junior welterweight honors at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The bout is part of a Matchroom Boxing promoted card that will air live on DAZN at 1:30 EST.
Cameron is the current unified champion at 140. Starving for the opportunity to engage in a big-money fight, she finally gets her chance. The 31-year-old wants to prove and anoint herself as one of the best today. McCaskill is the reigning undisputed welterweight champion. Pundits rank the 38-year-old as one of the best women’s fighters in the sport. She’s looking to become an undisputed champion at 140 and 147 pounds simultaneously. On paper, this is a top-tier matchup.
BE A SMOOTH OPERATOR
Cameron is a skilled and complete fighter who is comfortable on either the lead or the back foot. She also has good power in both hands. At her best, Cameron uses sharp left jabs to set up a diverse array of shots to the head and body. Those attributes were on full display in her win over then-IBF champion Mary McGee to become unified champ in October 2021.
That left-hand stick is critical against McCaskill. She can use that lead jab to keep her opponent off balance and then follow with combinations. It would also be wise to get the shots off, then use side-to-side movement. That would prevent McCaskill from having a set target. The unified 140-pound champ must keep this fight more in the center of the ring. If she can find a way to hurt McCaskill and force her to fight backward, her chances of victory will significantly increase.
NOT ROCKET SCIENCE
McCaskill is a come-forward fighter who punishes and wears out opponents with her physical brand of fighting. The welterweight champ often sets up her attack with the power jab, then uses excellent upper-body movement and subtle footwork to cut off the ring, get inside, and get busy. Her style is not the prettiest to watch, but damn effective as evidenced by her previous fight against mandatory challenger Alma Ibarra in June 2022.
She must follow that script to give herself the best chance to win against Cameron. CasKILLA must not give her upcoming opponent room to operate. If McCaskill gets in close range, stay in her chest and punish her with continual body shots. The rougher this fight is, the more advantageous it will be for the undisputed champ.
PREDICTION
In many ways, this fight is the aggression of McCaskill versus the boxer in Cameron. The big question is: which fighter can most impose their style? McCaskill is coming down from 147 and is the perceived bigger fighter. However, Cameron is the hungrier fighter and the better overall boxer.
The 140-pound champ has been waiting for this moment. She will use her skills to set the tone early and has enough punching power to earn some respect. McCaskill will land her share of shots and maybe even stage a late rally. But in the end, Cameron wins by a decision to become the queen of 140.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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