Featherweight Sensation Ellie Scotney, Network Attention and More Fight News
By David A. Avila
England unveiled featherweight prizefighter Ellie Scotney the former amateur standout who decided to go pro when the Tokyo Olympics were postponed.
She looked pretty impressive.
Scotney signed a long-term contract with Matchroom Boxing and should benefit with the international exposure the England-based outfit can provide. Her solid win over veteran Bec Connolly was shown on DAZN and Sky Sports throughout the world.
Watching the featherweight from London reminded me of another who actually fought in America. The movements, skill, speed and aggressiveness were reminiscent of Las Vegas speedster Melinda “La Maravilla” Cooper. Boy, could she fight.
Until I saw Scotney last Saturday on the Matchroom card from England, I had not seen another fighter at that weight class or lower display those same kind of movements Cooper used to showcase in her blistering wins all over the world.
That brings me to a point: will Scotney ever fight someone in America?
She has the talent to drive interest in women’s boxing. Where better to find competition than America. Between USA and Mexico that’s a total population of more than 400 million who have interest in women’s boxing. It’s a numbers game.
Too bad Cooper no longer fights. She would have fit right in with her speedy combinations and sizzling power shots. Plus, she lives in Las Vegas.
Network attention
So far only the great Katie Taylor has fought on American shores and that proved instrumental in attracting subscribers to DAZN USA which streams Matchroom Boxing’s cards. Though the talented Irish fighter hasn’t become a household name in the U.S.A. those who love boxing know Taylor.
Golden Boy Promotions, based in Los Angeles, also has a number of female fighters on its roster including Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada one of the most dangerous and talented fighters in the world without a world title. It’s not the light flyweights fault she doesn’t have one of the major titles. Though highly ranked the world champions in her weight class are not accepting her challenge.
Among the other fighters with Golden Boy are Marlen Esparza and Sulem Urbina who are set to meet on Friday Oct. 30, at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California. DAZN will stream the flyweight clash between former Olympians. They also have WBC super middleweight champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn.
DAZN remains the only network showing more than one female fighter on its boxing cards. ESPN has Mikaela Mayer who fights on October 31 in Las Vegas against WBO super featherweight world titlist. Recently, the American based network added Canadian boxer Kim Clavel to a boxing card. Or was it Top Rank the Las Vegas company that has Mayer under contract. ESPN needs to invest in female boxing.
Showtime has not announced any current alliances with female boxing but rumors are emerging that a new player has arrived that is interested in televising or streaming female boxing.
Who could say no?
Female prizefighting will someday rival men’s boxing. I guarantee it.
Women already have million dollar fighter in Katie Taylor who made more than that amount in her last fight.
Many said it could not be done. Well it’s been done…twice.
More Fight News
Bolivia
On Saturday October 24, flyweights Mariela Valverde (9-6) and Carla Uraini (0-1) meet eight rounds at Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
Germany
Ema Kozin (20-0-1) defeated Chris Namus (25-6) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday October 17. The WBC interim middleweight title fight took place at Bayern. Also, Katelynn Phelan (4-0) stopped Jessica Schadko (8-1) in the fifth round of their welterweight bout. Plus, Felicitas Vogt (5-0) knocked out Zorana Jakovlevic (0-4) in the first round of their bantamweight match.
On Saturday October 24, super bantamweights Elina Tissen (23-2) and Pasa Malagic (15-6) meet 10 rounds for the WBF title at Warendorf. Also, super bantamweights Lara Ochmann (4-0) and Eva Hrkotova (0-1) meet six rounds.
Japan
On Thursday Oct. 22, minimum weights Riyuna Yoshikawa (0-1) and Rena Takahashi (2-3) meet four rounds at Tokyo.
On Monday Oct. 26, super flyweights Hiroko Takayama (0-0) and Saki Horiguchi (0-3) meet four rounds at Tokyo.
Mexico
On Thursday Oct. 22, lightweights Yolanda Vega (4-0) and Betzabe Rochin (0-2) meet six rounds at Ciudad Obregon.
New Zealand
Mea Motu (1-0) beat Wendy Talbot (0-6) by decision after four rounds on Saturday Oct. 17. The lightweight bout was held at Auckland.
South Africa
Ellen Simwaka (8-5-2) won by technical knockout in the third round versus Melissa Miller (5-9-3) on Saturday Oct. 17. The super bantamweight fight was held at Soweto.
Spain
Joana Pastrana (16-3) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Catalina Diaz (6-4) on Friday Oct. 16. The EBU minimum weight title fight took place at Madrid.
United Kingdom
Ellie Scotney (1-0) won by unanimous decision after six rounds versus Bec Connolly (3-8) on Saturday Oct. 17. The featherweight bout took place at Peterborough, England. The main bout between Savannah Marshall and Hannah Rankin was postponed due to a positive Covid-19 test for Marshall’s trainer.
USA
On Saturday October 24, bantamweights Ebony Rivera (7-1) and Taylor Starling (1-0) meet for six rounds at Greenville, South Carolina. Also, super featherweights Feifilimai Faiva (1-0) and Camille Casson (0-6) meet four rounds.
(Photo by Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)