Cameron says 'pressure is off' ahead of next fight

Chantelle Cameron will face French fighter Elhem Mekhaled at Birmingham's Resorts World Arena on Saturday

Boxer Chantelle Cameron feels the "pressure is off" as she prepares to return to the ring for the first time since losing her world titles.

The Northampton-born fighter, 33, was narrowly defeated in a rematch with Irish star Katie Taylor in Dublin last November, losing her undisputed light-welterweight world champion status and unbeaten professional record.

She will face France’s Elhem Mekhaled at Birmingham's Resorts World Arena on Saturday.

"All I want to do is win," said Cameron. "I’ve got to get my belts back, that’s my only focus."

The bout will be the English fighter's first since leaving Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing - who also promote Taylor - for Frank Warren's Queensbury Promotions.

It will also be Cameron's first fight since splitting from trainer Jamie Moore in favour of working under the tutelage of Sheffield-based Grant Smith.

"I want to show people I made really tough decisions, but the right decisions for myself and my career." said Cameron. "I’m happy, I’m confident and I’ve developed again.

"I feel like pressure is off my shoulders. My biggest fear every time I stepped in the ring was losing and losing my undefeated record but it’s gone now. I’ve suffered my first defeat and it’s horrible. I don’t want to taste that again."

Cameron joined Frank Warren's Queensbury Promotions earlier this year

Cameron had beaten Taylor in their first fight last May and it had been expected they would meet again in a trilogy fight after the Dubliner evened the score in November.

However, Taylor opted to take a rematch with Puerto-Rican fighter Amanda Serrano instead.

"It should have been the trilogy [next]," said Cameron. "I beat Katie last May, Katie beat me in November... although I believe it was a controversial win.

"It seems mad that we haven’t settled it, but that was Katie and her team’s option.

"They avoided me and I’ve got to go the long route to try and get these belts back. I’m going to have to hunt Katie down again."