Ellie Scotney Thwarts Strong Challenge by Mea Motu in England

By David A. Avila

After a troublesome opening round world champion Ellie Scotney figured out challenger Mea Motu and pounded out a win to retain the super bantamweight world titles on Saturday in England.

“Hopefully I get some credit,” said Scotney after her victory.

Despite suffering a cut due to an accidental clash of heads, Scotney (10-0) unleashed her array of fighting skills to nullify New Zealander Motu’s (20-1, 8 Kos) strength and powerful blows in Nottingham, England.

A clash of heads in the first round saw Scotney emerge with blood dripping down the side of her face. It looked ominous for the British fighter especially with nine more rounds to go.

In the second round Scotney began peppering Motu with quick one-two combinations. The New Zealander stalked the champion for three rounds waiting to counter every quick strike.

It proved to be a bad idea.

Scotney continued her quick brief attacks and then resorted to clinching. That proved beneficial to Motu who was able to connect with power shots as Scotney tried to tie up. It looked like things would turn around for Motu.

But the champion had other methods to deflect Motu’s attacks and began firing from long range and pivoting out of danger. Quick rights connected over and over and Motu tried to adjust to the new change of attack by the champion.

From the fifth round on Scotney varied her quick attacks and pivoted while keeping Motu off-balance. Several uppercuts connected for Scotney who seemed able to connect whenever she opened up her attack. Though Motu never seemed hurt she was not able to hurt Scotney either.

“I felt like I hurt her at times,” said Scotney, 26. “I just have to keep my head in there.”

Scotney, who has no knockouts on her ledger, was able to vary attacks and keep Motu from finding a set target. Though Motu has eight knockout wins, she could not convince the champion to stand still.

The action slowed in the last three rounds of the match, and it was clear that only a knockout by Motu could win her the fight. Scotney was careful but did not resort to clinching and giving the Kiwi a chance to connect inside. It was smart and tactical performance by the British fighter.

Motu tried her best but was unable to find a method of keeping Scotney in front of her. Those pivots were beneficial to the world champion who won by scores 99-91 on all three score cards.

“I felt she boxed really well,” said Shane McGuigan who trains Scotney. “Motu was extremely strong.”.

Scotney retains the WBO and IBF super bantamweight world titles and takes Motu’s IBO belt. The other two super bantamweight titles are held by WBC titlist Yamileth Mercado and WBA titlist Erika Cruz both of Mexico.

Instead of a unification bout, Scotney seems to prefer moving up a weight division to fight WBC featherweight titlist Skye Nicolson of Australia.

“I’m looking at featherweight and Skye Nicolson is someone I’m looking at,” said Scotney.