Liam Cameron

Liam Cameron
Born (1990-10-21) 21 October 1990 (age 34)
NationalityEnglish
Other namesCannonball
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record[1]
Total fights31
Wins23
Wins by KO10
Losses6
Draws1
No contests1
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing  England
English National Championships
Gold medal – first place 2009 Sheffield Welterweight
British National Championships
Gold medal – first place 2009 Liverpool Welterweight

Liam Cameron (born 21 October 1990) is an English professional boxer. He held the Commonwealth middleweight title from 2017 to 2018 and challenged twice for the super-middleweight version between 2015 and 2016.

Professional career

[edit]

Cameron made his professional debut on 24 October 2009, scoring a six-round points decision (PTS) victory over Matt Scriven at the City Hall in Sheffield.[2]

After compiling a record of 9–0 (3 KOs) he suffered his first defeat at the hands of Erick Ochieng, losing via PTS (77–74) on 28 May 2011 at the Hillsborough Leisure Centre in Sheffield.[3] He bounced back from defeat with three wins, one by knockout (KO), before suffering a second defeat on 23 June 2012, losing to Jez Wilson by PTS (97–95) for the vacant Central Area middleweight title at the Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield.[4] After three more wins, one by technical knockout (TKO), he faced Rod Smith for the vacant International Masters middleweight title on 13 December 2013 at IceSheffield,[5] losing by PTS (96–95) over ten rounds.[6]

Following the third defeat of his career, he faced Wayne Reed on 10 May 2014 at the Octagon Centre in Sheffield. Cameron won his first professional title, defeating Reed via unanimous decision (UD) over ten rounds to capture the vacant IBO Youth super-middleweight title. One judge scored the bout 98–90 while the other two scored it 98–92.[7]

After two more wins in non-title fights, including one stoppage by corner retirement (RTD), he faced Luke Blackledge for the vacant Commonwealth super-middleweight title on 4 April 2015 at the King George's Hall in Blackburn. Cameron lost by UD with the scorecards reading 117–112, 116–113 and 115–114.[8] After a TKO win against Giorgi Beroshvili in October,[9] Cameron was scheduled to face English super-middleweight champion, Jahmaine Smyle, on 29 May 2016. A week before the event, the bout was called off due to financial issues arising from low ticket sales.[10] Following 13 months out of the ring due to the cancellation, he next fought on 25 November 2016 against Zac Dunn at The Flemington Pavilion in Melbourne, Australia.[11] The fight would give Cameron a second attempt at the Commonwealth super-middleweight title after Blackledge vacated in favour of a British super-middleweight title fight.[12] Cameron once again missed out on the title, losing via twelve-round UD with the scorecards reading 117–111, 116–112 and 115–113.[13]

He moved down in weight for his next fight in a third attempt at a Commonwealth title, challenging Commonwealth middleweight champion, Sam Sheedy. Originally set to take place on 29 July, the bout was rescheduled to 13 October 2017, at the Ponds Forge Arena in Sheffield, after Sheedy suffered an injury during training.[14] In an action-packed fight, Cameron scored three knockdowns with body shots in the fourth round, with Sheedy receiving a point deduction in the round for a head butt. Cameron scored another knockdown in the seventh, again from a body shot, with Sheedy also receiving a standing eight count after being on the receiving end of a barrage of punches from Cameron. The end came in the following round when the referee stepped in to call a halt to the contest to save Sheedy from further punishment, awarding Cameron the Commonwealth title via eighth-round TKO.[15]

He was due to make the first defence of his title against Nicky Jenman on 24 April 2018 at IceSheffield, however, Jenman failed to make weight, prompting the Commonwealth Boxing Council (CBC) to withdraw its sanction for the fight.[16] The bout went ahead regardless. Cameron knocked Jenman down in the second round. Jenman was able to make it back to his feet before the count of ten before referee Terry O'Connor waved the fight off, handing Cameron a second-round TKO victory.

Following his win over Jenman, it was announced in July that Cameron had failed a post-fight drug test and was subsequently suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) pending further investigation.[17] Following the suspension, the CBC stripped Cameron of their title as he was unable to defend it against a mandatory challenger due to the suspension.[16] The UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) agency found Cameron guilty of the anti-doping violation and imposed a four-year ban. He appealed the decision in October 2019, but was unsuccessful.[18] Cameron confirmed his retirement after the ban was upheld, but resumed his career in 2023.[19]

On October 12, 2024, Cameron challenged fellow British boxer Ben Whittaker for the IBF International light-heavyweight title on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol. During the bout both boxers became entangled as Cameron pushed Whittaker towards the ropes, resulting in them tumbling over and Whittaker being forced to withdraw due to injury. The fight subsequently went to the judges' scorecards, as per the rules of the British Boxing Board of Control, with both boxers receiving a 58–57 score respectively as well as a 58–58 score, resulting in a split decision technical draw.[20]

Professional boxing record

[edit]
31 fights 23 wins 6 losses
By knockout 10 0
By decision 13 6
Draws 1
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
31 Draw 23–6–1 (1) Benjamin Whittaker TD 5 (10), 3:00 12 Oct 2024 Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia For IBF International and vacant WBO Global light-heavyweight titles;
Whittaker was unable to continue due to an injury when falling out of the ring
30 Loss 23–6 (1) Lyndon Arthur SD 10 21 Jun 2024 Bolton Whites Hotel, Bolton, England For vacant WBA Inter-Continental light heavyweight title
29 Win 23–5 (1) Hussein Itaba TKO 1 (6), 2:32 23 Mar 2024 Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, England
28 Win 22–5 (1) Harry Matthews KO 1 (6), 2:59 9 Feb 2024 Park Community Arena, Sheffield, England
27 Win 21–5 (1) Robbie Connor PTS 6 6 Oct 2023 Park Community Arena, Sheffield, England
26 NC 20–5 (1) Nicky Jenman NC 2 (12), 3:00 27 Apr 2018 IceSheffield, Sheffield, England Retained Commonwealth middleweight title;
Originally TKO win for Cameron, changed to NC after he failed a drug test
25 Win 20–5 Sam Sheedy TKO 8 (12), 0:40 13 Oct 2017 Ponds Forge Arena, Sheffield, England Won Commonwealth middleweight title
24 Loss 19–5 Zac Dunn UD 12 25 Nov 2016 The Flemington Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia For vacant Commonwealth super-middleweight title
23 Win 19–4 Giorgi Beroshvili TKO 4 (10), 2:11 17 Oct 2015 Magna Centre, Rotherham, England
22 Loss 18–4 Luke Blackledge UD 12 4 Apr 2015 King George's Hall, Blackburn, England For vacant Commonwealth super-middleweight title
21 Win 18–3 Tobias Webb UD 10 13 Dec 2014 Hillsborough Leisure Centre, Sheffield, England
20 Win 17–3 Philip Kotey RTD 4 (10), 3:00 13 Sep 2014 Octagon Centre, Sheffield, England
19 Win 16–3 Wayne Reed UD 10 10 May 2014 Octagon Centre, Sheffield, England Won vacant IBO Youth super-middleweight title
18 Loss 15–3 Rod Smith PTS 10 13 Dec 2013 IceSheffield, Sheffield, England For vacant International Masters middleweight title
17 Win 15–2 Zahari Mutafchiev PTS 4 14 Sep 2013 Magna Centre, Rotherham, England
16 Win 14–2 Harry Matthews PTS 6 17 May 2013 Ponds Forge Arena, Sheffield, England
15 Win 13–2 Paul Morby TKO 1 (6), 1:10 15 Dec 2012 Octagon Centre, Sheffield, England
14 Loss 12–2 Jez Wilson PTS 10 23 Jun 2012 Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield, England For Central Area middleweight title
13 Win 12–1 Harry Matthews PTS 6 3 Mar 2012 Hillsborough Leisure Centre, Sheffield, England
12 Win 11–1 Terry Carruthers PTS 6 29 Oct 2011 Doncaster Dome, Doncaster, England
11 Win 10–1 Costas Osben KO 2 (4), 1:05 3 Sep 2011 Doncaster Dome, Doncaster, England
10 Loss 9–1 Erick Ochieng PTS 8 28 May 2011 Hillsborough Leisure Centre, Sheffield, England
9 Win 9–0 Jason Ball TKO 1 (8), 1:55 30 Apr 2011 Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield, England
8 Win 8–0 Lester Walsh TKO 4 (6), 2:42 22 Jan 2011 Doncaster Dome, Doncaster, England
7 Win 7–0 Zahari Mutafchiev PTS 6 10 Dec 2010 Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield, England
6 Win 6–0 Ryan Clark PTS 4 9 Oct 2010 Hotel de France, Saint Helier, Jersey
5 Win 5–0 Dee Mitchell PTS 4 2 Jul 2010 Doncaster Dome, Doncaster, England
4 Win 4–0 Alex Spitko TKO 3 (4), 1:00 23 Apr 2010 Skydome, Coventry, England
3 Win 3–0 Kevin McCauley PTS 6 20 Feb 2010 City Hall, Sheffield, England
2 Win 2–0 Ryan Clark PTS 6 20 Dec 2009 Octagon Centre, Sheffield, England
1 Win 1–0 Matt Scriven PTS 6 24 Oct 2009 City Hall, Sheffield, England

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Boxing record for Liam Cameron". BoxRec.
  2. ^ "BoxRec: Liam Cameron vs. Matt Scriven". boxrec.com. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  3. ^ Dooley, Terence (29 May 2011). "Nicki Smedley, Liam Cameron Both Shocked in Sheffield". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  4. ^ "BoxRec: Liam Cameron vs. Jez Wilson". boxrec.com. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  5. ^ "An early Xmas hangover". www.thestar.co.uk. 16 December 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  6. ^ "BoxRec: Liam Cameron vs. Rod Smith". boxrec.com. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  7. ^ Hill, Joe (12 May 2014). "Taylor Takes Title in 10 Round War". The Corner Stool. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  8. ^ Black, Dan (8 April 2015). "Clitheroe's Luke becomes cream of the Commonwealth". www.clitheroeadvertiser.co.uk. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  9. ^ "BoxRec: Liam Cameron vs. Giorgi Beroshvili". boxrec.com. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  10. ^ Jay, Phil (6 June 2016). "Hobson sheds light on Cameron v Smyle cancellation". World Boxing News. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  11. ^ Armsden, Alan (19 November 2016). "No Dunn deal, but Zac up for title fight". www.heraldsun.com.au. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  12. ^ "Champ vacates his precious title". www.clitheroeadvertiser.co.uk. 26 August 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  13. ^ "Zac Dunn Gets Commonwealth Belt, Defeats Liam Cameron". BoxingScene.com. 25 November 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  14. ^ Jay, Phil (8 August 2017). "Sam Sheedy v Liam Cameron rescheduled for Oct 13". World Boxing News. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  15. ^ "Liam Cameron wins Commonwealth title after stopping Sam Sheedy in thrilling all-Sheffield war". www.thestar.co.uk. 13 October 2017. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  16. ^ a b Brown, Andy (14 August 2018). "Commonwealth Boxing Council refutes Liam Cameron corruption claims". Sports Integrity Initiative. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  17. ^ Jay, Phil (9 July 2018). "Liam Cameron has licence suspended following failed drug test, denies taking cocaine". World Boxing News. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  18. ^ "Professional boxer Cameron banned for four years". UK Anti-Doping. 13 January 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  19. ^ Foster, Elliot (6 January 2020). "Liam Cameron Retires After Drugs Ban Upheld". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  20. ^ "Boxing: Ben Whittaker fight ends in draw after boxer falls over the ropes". BBC Sport. 12 October 2024. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
[edit]
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Preceded by
Sam Sheedy
Commonwealth middleweight champion
13 October 2017 – 13 August 2018
Stripped
Vacant
Title next held by
Felix Cash
Minor world boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Gevorg Khatchikian
IBO Youth super-middleweight champion
10 May 2014 – September 2014
Vacant
Title next held by
Bilal Akkawy