Mikaela Mayer tells British fans to root for her in 'fight of the year' with Chantelle Cameron: "I'm like 73% British"
MVPW-06 UK vs USA full press conference quotes
At Glaziers Hall in London, England, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Sky Sports hosted the kickoff press conference for MVPW-06 UK vs. USA, officially launching the highly anticipated event set for Saturday, August 29 at bp pulse LIVE in Birmingham, England. Live on Sky Sports in the UK and ESPN+ in the U.S., MVPW-06 will feature a main card composed entirely of UK vs. USA matchups, continuing MVP's commitment to elevating women's boxing on the global stage.
The press conference featured the event's main card talent, including headliners MVP’s unified WBA and WBC super welterweight champion and ESPN’s #7 P4P Mikaela Mayer (22-2, 5 KOs) and MVP’s WBO super welterweight champion and ESPN’s #5 P4P Chantelle Cameron (22-1, 8 KOs). Additional fighters included MVP’s unified WBC and WBO lightweight champion Caroline Dubois (13-0-1, 5 KOs), undefeated contender Amelia Moore (4-0, 1 KO), Britain’s first-ever three-division women’s world champion, USA’s Reina Tellez (13-1-1, 5 KOs), UK’s Jessica Barry (10-1, 2 KOs), MVP’s three-division champion Terri Harper (16-3-2, 6 KOs), and MVP’s #9 WBA and #10 WBO contender Miranda Reyes (9-3-1, 3 KOs),
The event also featured a major announcement, as reigning WBC super bantamweight world champion and 2020 Australian Olympian Skye Nicolson (16-1, 3 KOs) became an MVP signee and the first athlete to compete under the newly announced strategic alliance between MVP and Matchroom Boxing. Joined on stage by MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian, it was announced that Nicolson will make her MVP debut on MVPW-06, defending her WBC super bantamweight world title in a 10-round championship bout at 122 lbs against two-division world champion Miyo Yoshida (19-5, 1 KO).
Hosted by Sky Sports boxing expert Andy Scott, today's press conference gave fans and media an early look at one of the biggest women's boxing events of the year. See quotes below and view the full press conference on MVP’s YouTube channel.
NAKISA BIDARIAN
On signing Nicolson: Skye is making her debut with MVP on Sky, so we're very honored to be able to put that on. She's obviously one of the biggest names in the sport. She's done a tremendous job of establishing herself as one of the faces of women's boxing. While there was beef in the past, beef creates good business, and we're excited to be in business with her for sure.
On the pedigree of fighters on MVPW-06: You have at the top of the card two of the top 10 pound-for-pound fighters in the world. If you look at the past few years, Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, Canelo, and Terrence Crawford, this is the level of fight you're going to see that night. And then you have tremendous talent throughout the main card and the undercard. But Caroline Dubois, Terry Harper, Reina Tellez, and now Skye Nicholson, whose mother is English, if I know correctly, and dad is Scottish. So she's technically representing Team UK and will be on the main card with these other athletes.
SKYE NICOLSON
On fighting on Sky Sports: I feel like Skye on Sky has been a long time coming. It's exciting to finally get to use it. Obviously [I’m entering a] huge fight on August 29th. All focus on that, but obviously very, very thankful to Matchroom and MVP to form this alliance and make this happen.
On wanting big fights: I've always wanted to be in the big fights, and I feel like this is the place where we can make the big fights happen.
On wanting to be a part of the next era of women’s boxing: Women's boxing is entering a new era, and I feel like I want to be at the center of that. I feel like MVP has created a platform for women's boxing, and this is where it's happening, and I feel like I'm a face that can be a very big part of that.
MIKAELA MAYER
On creating the fight with Cameron: We know how great of a fight this is because we made it.
On her prediction that Mayer vs. Cameron will be the female fight of the year: I'm predicting female fight of the year 100%. I don't see anyone else who can top this.
On creating a defining fight for women’s boxing vs. Cameron: This is definitely a fight that I think we both have always wanted and a fight that we know will grow and develop women’s boxing.
On her preparation to face Cameron: I’ve made a lot of changes in my camp. I’ve brought new fresh eyes in, and I’m getting better, smarter, and stronger every day. I’m better than I was at 26. I feel better now than I was then.
On her plan for fight night: Even though we only have two minutes to be a little smarter, hit and don't get hit. I’ve been working on more defense and more output. I've had a high punch count, high volume, but just making it more clear and not letting the combo get returned on me.
On her and Cameron’s relationship outside the ring: We’ve known each other for a long time from the amateurs. We’ve stayed in contact through social media, and we’ve been very open about the fact that one day when she moved up, we would step into the ring together.
On her and Cameron’s similarities in the ring: We can both box because we come from an amateur pedigree, but if you look at our professional fights, we do tend to like to come forward and let our hands go. So, you're definitely going to see that at some point.
On boxing at the highest level with Cameron: I think we're smart enough to know that we just can't go in there carelessly and bang it out the whole time. I think there's going to be a lot more high-level boxing than that.
On her British supporters: Well, I think that if you're a Brit and you want to root for me, you can because you're technically not going against your country, because I feel like I'm an adopted Brit. I'm like 73% British. I just checked my 23andMe. So, I feel like I'm a little bit of both.
On being a part of Team USA: I'm rooting for my team. I think I've got a strong team over here, Team USA.
CHANTELLE CAMERON
On wanting to fight Mayer: I kinda knew that I had my eyes on Mikaela [Mayer] and my team knew, MVP knew, and they made it happen. I’m just grateful to be here.
On wanting to fight the best athletes: I think me and Mikaela [Mayer] are quite similar. We want to fight the best, and that's why I’ve got a lot of respect for her because she’s not shy to back down from a challenge. I want to fight the very best, and Mikaela is on that list as well.
On mindset on facing Mayer: I think I'm a different breed. I think the tougher my challenge, the better I am. I know Mikaela [Mayer] is a tough test and that's going to bring the best out of me, and I shine when I have those opponents in front of me. The best comes out of me and I think I'm unstoppable.
On the impact of fighting Mayer on women’s boxing: It's going to be good. And hopefully for women's boxing as well, more fights like this happen. The best fight the best, and just get the contract signed and get in the ring and fight each other. Stop talking and just get down to action.
On being a part of Team UK: Team UK all the way.
CAROLINE DUBOIS
On her road to becoming undisputed: I always say I'm on a quest for greatness, and I'll do whatever it takes to get there. Amelia Moore is in my way, and she's a banana skin. Every fight is a banana skin, you know, on that quest for greatness.
On defeating Harper and facing Moore: I fought the best, the second-best woman in the 135 division, Terri Harper. I beat her, and now I'm fighting Amelia Moore, who I also believe is a very good fighter.
On her prediction for fight night: I'm really excited to see what she's going to bring, but I believe whatever she brings, I'm not even going to say I do better. I just am better.
On wanting to face Alycia Baumgardner: At the end of the day, I want the fight. She's going to continue to try and pivot her way out and say that I'm not a big fight. I'm not a big name, but there's no other fight for her, I believe. You can't drag someone into the ring [though]. They have to want it as well.
On no longer training with Shane McGuigan: I'm so happy and proud of the journey that we’ve had together. I've become the unified world champion. I've announced myself into women's boxing, and I've announced myself onto the biggest stage possible. We did that with Shane McGuigan as my coach and as a massive part of my team. I'm honored and proud and privileged to be a part of that. That work doesn't get forgotten. It doesn't get lost. It doesn't disappear. It just grows.
On wanting to continuously expand her knowledge of boxing: I've learned the style that Shane [McGuigan] likes to teach. I want to see if I can pick up some more. A fighter should never stop learning, should never stop growing, should never limit him or herself. And this is just a part of that.
On what she’s learning in camp: I think this is going to have to be a situation of show, not tell. At the end of the day, when I step into the ring, you're going to see it. You're going to see the work. You're going to see the difference. You're going to see the performance, and I believe you're going to see the knockout.
AMELIA MOORE
On being a part of MVPW-06: I'm so excited for what MVP is putting on and putting forward. Stepping into this light, it feels amazing to be on the stage right now to be sitting with these women.
On the impact of MVPW-06 on women’s boxing: Women's boxing is in itself in its infancy. It's booming right now, but I've always said that we're still blooming, and here we are, you know, making these steps and trailblazing.
On her excitement for fight night: I'm really excited to help bring that energy up and have a show with you guys.
On her qualifications to face Dubois: What I've said a few times is that those who have said that, you know, it's like, “oh, she's 4 and 0”. If they're only looking at BoxRec, it's lazy journalism.
On her boxing career: We look at the amateur pedigree. My whole journey through Team USA and three Olympic cycles was always to be an Olympian. I stayed in it. A lot of people are like, man, three Olympic cycles, that's a lot of times, a lot of fights, but the journey was to be undeniable.
On criticism of her pro experience as a boxer: It's not my job to sway people's opinions. It's my job to put on a performance that's undeniable.
JESSICA BARRY
On being a part of MVPW-06: This was kind of always a dream for me to be fighting on. MVP is the best, especially for female fighters. So to be on a main card with all of these amazing women that are on this table today. It's a huge opportunity for me, and I'm so grateful.
On if facing Tellez is a step up in her boxing career: It's a step up on a bigger show for me. But as you said, I've already fought for some big titles. I've kind of come here as an underdog and a bit unknown because I've been fighting for my titles on small hall shows. However, all of these opponents that I've fought for these titles against, they've all been good, hard opponents. Reina is a good, hard opponent, but a lot of my other opponents have been as well.
On stealing the show: I am an entertaining fighter, and I put my whole heart into it. I put everything that I possibly can into every fight that I can. Every fight to me is like a world title fight. So, I think there's a good chance that I could steal the show.
REINA TELLEZ
On her plan for fight night: I'm looking to make a statement in this fight. 100%.
On Barry’s prediction that she’ll steal the show: I don't really take anything that she said right now as offense or anything, but I do hope that it's a great fight.
On being a part of big fights: I can honestly adapt to any style. I've already been in big fights, just like my last fight with Amanda Serrano.
On what she learned from facing Amanda Serrano in her last fight: She [Amanda Serrano] taught me a lot inside and outside the ring. I think I'm a better fighter inside and out. I found out who I really am in that fight, and that's why I'm extremely grateful and I want to fight. I've been itching for a fight since that fight.
On fighting in the UK: I love to travel, and I've shown that I'm not afraid to go into somebody else's backyard. I know that boxing here is a big thing. Boxing is a big thing for me and where I come from as well. To just have those two worlds collide, I feel like it's going to be a great night of boxing.
TERRI HARPER
On beginning her campaign to win a world championship in a fourth weight division: It's big and again, it's just creating that little bit more history for myself. I feel like I'm at that point in my career now where I've experienced everything. To go out and challenge to be a world champion in four weight divisions… not many people can say they've done that.
On her prediction for fight night: I feel like she's gonna make me earn my money on the night. It's just about sticking to what I know I can do. I'm a skilled fighter. I've got great experience over the years. It's just about going out there and enjoying the night.
On her boxing career: I feel like I haven't got much left to prove. I've gone out, and I've done well for myself over the years.
On not feeling pressure: I'm always pushing myself as an athlete and as a person, and I always enjoy the challenge. For now, I just want to be able to enjoy the sport that I fell in love with. There's no pressure for me now, and I can go out there and just enjoy boxing for what it is.
MIRANDA REYES
On fighting Harper: I'm a pressure fighter, and I believe she has never stepped in the ring with someone like me. I'm just excited and ready to put on a great fight.
On her preparation for the fight: I have a strong team behind me. I believe I have made some changes in my style, and I'm just ready to put on a great fight.
On her mindset on facing Harper: I'm definitely coming for the win and to pull off the upset. So yeah, I'm ready.
On her prediction for fight night: I'm definitely taking it home.
On dedicating the fight to one of her sparring partners: I'm proud to represent my country, and this fight means more than, you know, just a fight. I want to take this time to actually dedicate this fight to one of my sparring partners that unfortunately passed away. I'll carry her spirit with me throughout this whole fight. So this fight is really personal to me, and I'm ready to put on a great fight.
Tickets for MVPW-06 UK vs. USA are on sale now on AXS.com. For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions, on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions.
