Coat The Deck / Shirt Free People / Socks Falke / Shoes Charles & Keith / Earrings Mango

Having got her start in kickboxing before centring her focus on boxing, Chantelle is used to training under the harsh lights of the gym but found herself trading in her boxing gloves for this shoot, exploring an unfamiliar territory. The assumption that the photoshoot is quite literally the antithesis of the boxing ring, isn’t exactly disproved here. “The shoot was definitely… different,” she admits. “It was something completely new, and it is I guess, refreshing to do something new”, laughs Chantelle, “but I won’t be jumping up to do it again any time soon. I’m done, I’ve ticked it off now!” 

Top and trousers Ghost / Shoes Charles & Keith / Earrings Giovanni Raspini

Not dissimilar to a whole host of boxers, a sport somewhat synonymous with the working class, growing up in Northampton was a huge part of what got Chantelle into boxing. “I knew I wanted to do kickboxing, or like, some kind of fighting. The first class I signed up to, the man actually scammed my dad. We signed up to the membership, and this man just… disappeared. Luckily, we tried another one and as soon as they got me sparring, I just loved it. I just kept going, winning competitions, with my mum and my dad as my biggest supporters,” smiles Chantelle, adding that she “didn’t even really like sport” – she just loved fighting. When Chantelle points out the small details of her childhood, including constant playfights on her street, it’s clear she values her humble beginnings and purist approach – and wouldn’t change a thing.

Suit Sandro / Vest Wolford / Jewellery Chantelle’s own

The trajectory from playfights to the ring paid off for Chantelle, who is known for her aggressive and pressure-heavy fighting style, marked by a willingness to go toe-to-toe with her opponents. She “doesn’t mind taking hits”, a quality she professes with pride, and is almost certainly part of what makes her such a relentless and tough competitor in the ring. “I’ll take a shot to give a shot, which can be my downfall, I know that – but I’m relentless, and I will be for the whole 10 rounds,” explains Cameron, “I wouldn’t wanna fight me!” There’s an acknowledgement that the fans love a fight that’s a bit more fun – and Chantelle leans into this, explaining that she “mixes it up” between throwing punches and more of a slug fight, to the fan’s enjoyment.

In her most recent fight against Elhem Mekhaled, Cameron’s mentality was especially focused, given the circumstances. Coming off her first professional loss to Irish lightweight Katie Taylor, there was a lot riding on this fight. Rather than showing any signs of hesitation or self-doubt, Cameron stepped back into the ring with the same fierce determination that has defined her career. “It was my first fight back from a defeat – I’ve never had to think about that challenge before. I had a new team, new promoters. I just went all in!” she says. Cameron came out strong against Mekhaled, pushing the pace and not holding back. Her mental grit was on full display, showing that despite the loss to Taylor, Cameron remains as hungry and resilient as ever. It was clear she hadn’t lost any of the fire that makes her a challenging opponent for anyone in her division. “I had no pressure – I wasn’t the champion anymore, I wasn’t fighting Katie Taylor in her backyard. My biggest fear was also losing, and I’ve suffered defeat now,” peruses Cameron, “and so, what have I got to worry about anymore? I know I don’t like it, and I know I don’t want to do it again, but I’ve realised I’m not invincible, I’m just really good – and I just want to keep fighting.”

Jacket The Deck / Earrings Giovanni Raspini

So what’s next for Chantelle? A Cameron-Taylor rematch? It’s certainly something that’s front of mind for Chantelle. “I would love a chance at revenge. It’s the fight that I want, and I want to settle the score. I don’t know how either of us can let it slide at one-apiece. I’ve got fights scheduled but I can’t let that go – I’m enjoying fighting, I’m in great shape, but that’s all I want. I wanna put that to bed, and I know I can do it,” she says. Her confidence in her place within the boxing world is infectious, and as she continues her journey to solidify her name, it seems like things can only keep getting better for Chantelle.

Shirt and Trousers Stine Goya / Body Wolford / Shoes Charles & Keith / Earrings Giovanni Raspini

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