Ellie Scotney, the reigning IBF World Champion, has a fire in her belly and her late grandmother in her heart as she steps into the ring at Manchester’s AO Arena, ready to clash with Segolene Lefebvre, the undefeated WBO champion from France. Scotney, a 26-year-old warrior from Catford, is not just stepping into Manchester’s ring for the first time; she’s charging in with the spirit of her biggest supporter, her late nan, Eileen.
Last June, Scotney seized the IBF title from Cherneka Johnson in a night that etched itself into the annals of Wembley Arena’s history. Her victory lap wasn’t just for the fans; it was a tribute to her nan, a staunch supporter until her passing at 99. With a legacy to fortify, Scotney is hell-bent on snatching the unification title, fueled by the promise of completing a collection her nan envisioned.
Lefebvre, standing tall with an 18-0 record, ventures outside France for the first time, guarding her WBO title with the ferocity of a seasoned warrior. Scotney recognizes the gravity of this battle, acknowledging Lefebvre as her most formidable opponent yet. The stage is set for a monumental showdown, where experience meets undiluted ambition.
As Scotney braces for the toughest battle of her career, she draws strength not just from rigorous training but from a deep, personal evolution. The ring on Saturday will not just witness a fight; it will bear witness to Scotney’s unwavering resolve to ascend beyond the ranks, to a legacy her nan envisioned, as the unified World Champion.
Updated Fight Card:
- Main Event: Ellie Scotney vs. Segolene Lefebvre – Super-Bantamweight Unification Bout
- Co-Main Event: Jordan Gill vs. Zelfa Barrett – Super-Featherweight Showdown
- Featured Bout: Rhiannon Dixon vs. Karen Elizabeth Carabajal – Vacant WBO 140lbs World Title Fight
- Undercard Highlights:
- Michael Gomez Jr defends his English Super-Featherweight Title against Kane Baker.
- Ste Clarke faces Jensen Irving in a Middleweight bout.
- Jordan Flynn squares off against Tampela Maharusi in the Lightweight division.
- Jack Turner aims for another KO against Abdul Kesi Ngaoma in the Super-Flyweight fight.
- Jimmy Sains vs. Mateusz Kalecki, William Crolla vs. Fabio Cascone, and Brandon Scott vs. Rodrigo Matias Areco in their respective divisions.