Briton Ellie Scotney wants to ‘brush the past under the carpet’ before delayed world-title shot

Super-bantamweight boxer Ellie Scotney is determined to move forward and focus on her upcoming world-title fight against Cherneka Johnson, after overcoming past challenges. The 25-year-old Scotney will be competing for the IBF title at Wembley’s OVO Arena, a fight that was postponed from last month due to unforeseen circumstances.

Scotney expressed her desire to distance herself from the past, stating, “It was an unfortunate situation for both parties involved.” She acknowledged the difficult circumstances surrounding her removal from Katie Taylor’s undercard in Dublin, as requested by fellow English boxer Chantelle Cameron, who ultimately emerged victorious against Taylor. Scotney emphasized her intention to avoid being associated with any negative publicity, stating, “I just want to put it behind me and focus on bigger and better things.”

Despite the unconventional circumstances, neither Scotney nor Johnson displayed any signs of nervousness as they came face-to-face in London for the first time. Promoter Eddie Hearn expressed confidence in Scotney’s abilities, believing that she has the potential to become a future pound-for-pound star. He viewed the upcoming fight as an opportunity for Scotney to elevate herself to the status of established champions. Hearn added, “This is Ellie’s chance to step into the ring with those renowned names. She has the potential to transition from a promising prospect to a world champion.”

Ellie Scotney’s match against Cherneka Johnson is part of a world-title triple header in London, featuring other notable bouts such as Sunny Edwards defending his IBF flyweight title against Andres Campos, and WBA bantamweight champion Nina Hughes facing fellow Briton Katie Hughes. Edwards, an undefeated champion with a perfect record of 19 professional fights, aims to secure his fourth title defense.

During the intense build-up to the event, tensions rose between Edwards and Campos, leading to heated exchanges and even physical altercations. Edwards, eager to assert his dominance, questioned Campos’ credentials and made derogatory remarks towards his opponent’s team. Campos responded with equal fervor, promising to knock Edwards out. Despite the confrontations, both fighters ended the head-to-head encounter with a respectful fist bump, leaving the outcome to be determined in the ring.

Promoter Eddie Hearn, envisioning the rise of relatively unknown fighters, held the news conference at the Royal Institute of British Architects building in Marylebone. Hearn aspires to mold these fighters into notable stars in the sports world. While the general sporting fan may be unfamiliar with the likes of Edwards, Scotney, Hughes, and Healy, the upcoming world-title fights provide them with an opportunity to make their mark and gain wider recognition. With impressive performances, fighters such as Hughes and Healy, with only 11 fights combined, can introduce themselves to a larger audience. Australian boxer Ebanie Bridges, who attended the news conference, currently holds the IBF title and is undoubtedly observing the outcome of these matchups with great interest.