Camara and Thibeault Set to Conquer MSG

By Vincent Morin

Inside the Matchmaker’s Eye

Jake Paul and his company MVP Promotions have put together what can only be described as a Super Bowl of women's boxing this Friday at New York’s Madison Square Garden. A total of five world title unification bouts are on the lineup! In addition to the highly anticipated trilogy clash between Ireland’s Katie Taylor and Puerto Rico’s Amanda Serrano in the main event, two fighters proudly representing Quebec will also step into the ring: Jessica Camara and Tammara Thibeault are both looking to steal the show.

Camara (14-4-1, 3 KOs) faces a massive challenge in Britain's Chantelle Cameron (20-1-0, 8 KOs), who will be defending her WBC interim super lightweight (140 lbs) world title for the second time.

To prepare, the fighter coached by Montreal’s Ian Mackillop spent much of her training camp in Dallas alongside Alicia Baumgardner, who will also be in action on Friday against Spain’s Jennifer Miranda.

Heavily considered the underdog, can she upset the British fighter known as "Il Capo"? Cameron has appeared to slow down since her wins over Jessica McCaskill and Katie Taylor, but at 34, she’s still the younger of the two fighters.

As for the Montrealer originally from Ontario, has she fully recovered from her brutal clash with Caroline Dubois last January 11 in the UK, which ended in a no contest after a nasty cut? We’ll find out Friday night.

Thibeault: Only Three-Minute Rounds

Two-time Canadian Olympian and amateur world champion Tammara Thibeault (2-0-0, 1 KO) is rapidly climbing the professional ranks. After fighting scheduled four- and six-round bouts, she now finds herself in an eight-round fight. What’s unique about her journey is that she exclusively competes in three-minute rounds.

This Friday, she faces American Mary Casamassa (6-0-0, 1 KO). Casamassa holds a minor (WIBA) title and has just one significant win on her record, a unanimous decision over Brazilian Olympian Adriana Dos Santos Araujo.

It will be intriguing to see how Thibeault handles this matchup between two undefeated southpaws. She prepared mainly in England, where she’s currently studying. The Quebec fighter will have the advantage in amateur experience, height, and reach.

Serrano: Will the Third Time Be the Charm?

The first two chapters between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano were so intense and competitive that a third showdown became inevitable, even though Taylor was declared the winner both times.

Taylor’s volume against Serrano’s power. Orthodox versus southpaw—meaning a higher risk of head clashes. This played a decisive role in their last bout, as Taylor seemed to use her head inside—accidentally or not—which led to severe cuts on MVP’s star fighter.

Who will make the better adjustments on Friday in Manhattan’s legendary arena?