Madison Square Garden world unification fight will be magical moment for Catford’s Ellie Scotney
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk
From Catford to New York. Ellie Scotney’s career arc is definitely on an upward trajectory.
Manchester and Nottingham are the furthest the 27-year-old unified world super-bantamweight champion has boxed away from her South London home since turning professional in October 2020.
But Scotney, who holds the IBF and WBO titles, will look to wrench the WBC crown from Yamileth Mercado on July 11 at the legendary venue of Madison Square Gardens.
Past greats such as Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Rocky Marciano, Joe Louis and Mike Tyson have fought there – as well as Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, two of the current pioneers of the women’s game.
Scotney signed with Most Valuable Promotions in early April and will feature on the undercard of the Taylor-Serrano trilogy. It will be streamed on Netflix.
MVP is co-owned by influencer Jake Paul, who has also laced up the gloves professionally, and Nakisa Bidarian.
Scotney went to the Big Apple recently to help announce her switch to MVP after previously being under a promotional contract with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.
“I’ve probably boxed in front of 500 people, at most,” Scotney told the South London Press. “So it is madness. Right now I’m walking into Tesco in Catford, looking around and thinking: ‘I was in New York the other day – at Madison Square Garden’.
“If you ask any fighter, of any generation, what is the venue you want to box in then Madison Square Garden would be top of that list.
“To tick it off on my debut with these guys is insane. The fight they delivered as well has been ‘wow’. If you were to ask what I wanted next, that would be it.
“I came to New York in 2019 when it was Christmas. Christmas wasn’t here this time – but I definitely got a present.
“It’s a different kind of pressure because you know it is in your hands now.
“You have got to turn up and take care of what is in your control. I feel like I’ve done that when everything was stacked a little harder.
“I tweeted it the other day, eight months ago I was in a bad place. I’m grateful to where I am now. You have got to maintain what has brought you there – even more so.
“Normally it makes you calmer because you have got that security (of the MVP deal) but it has done the opposite.”
Scotney’s last defence saw her outpoint New Zealand’s Mea Motu in January.
Initially the bout had been set for October until the champion suffered an injury in training.
“If I’d have boxed in the fight that got cancelled I would’ve gone into a different contract,” said Scotney.
“This wouldn’t have come off. I would’ve rushed into another signing because MVP have only really put a stamp on women’s boxing in these last two months, in terms of building a stable. And what a stable they are building.
“I’m a big person of faith and everything happening for a reason. I remember Katie boxed Serrano the first fight and I wanted to get on the show. The second fight, I wanted to get on that. I happened to send Jake Paul a DM before the first fight – I’m still waiting for a reply!”
American Paul, 28, has made millions from his own fights. Most recently he won a unanimous decision over Tyson, 58, and has defeated a number of high-profile UFC fighters who have switched combat sports for the payday.
“He gets eyeballs on the game,” said Scotney. “He gets in and fights. Anyone who gets in the ring, fair play to them. Not only that, he is invested in other fighters and bringing other people up.
“He is using his platform to push them. You see what they did with Serrano. If you get just a percentage of that then you are in for a lifechanging experience.
“It is amazing to be a part of that and I’m so blessed.
“When you talk to MVP and Nikita you get a sense they value you – not just as a fighter but as a person. I got that straight away with them.”
Scotney’s plan is to become undisputed in her division and then move up to featherweight.
When the MVP switch was announced there were people on social media claiming Matchroom did not maximise her.
Asked if she felt that was fair, Scotney said: “One hundred per cent. I was always chucked in deep. That was the way of building me.
“I’ve had 10 fights but it is the depth I’ve done. I’m thankful I was built that way – because there were no gimmicks and I wasn’t given a tomato tin can to knock over and get a highlight reel.
“When I get an opportunity like this now, it has been worth it.
“I’ll just say they took me to a unified world champion and thank them for that. The next step in my career – and my most meaningful – will be somewhere else.
“We parted on good terms. There are no hard feelings at all.”
PICTURES: MARK ROBINSON/MATCHROOM BOXING
