Catford’s Ellie Scotney will dedicate successful world title defence to late nan

Ellie Scotney is determined to make a successful first defence of her IBF world super-bantamweight title tomorrow night and dedicate it to her nan Eileen.

The unbeaten Catford fighter, 25, is set to face experienced South American Laura Soledad Griffa at Wembley Arena.

Scotney has described it as one of her “greatest gifts” for Eileen to witness her become a world champion before she passed away, aged 99, at the end of August.

“My nan was a real driving force – not just for me but for my whole family – she was a real rock,” Scotney told the South London Press. “That still remains the same, whether she was still here or there in spirit with us.

“One-hundred per cent it has been really difficult but I’ve had something to channel my focus into. My nan loved boxing – that has given me more of a purpose. I call it my superpower now, what she gave me on earth – imagine what she can do from the heavens? That’s kind of how I’m looking at it.

“Every fight has always been dedicated to my nan. She is the first person I wanted to go and see after a fight. This one is even more special. I’ve got to give my family something to bring a smile on everyone’s faces after all that has happened in the last few weeks.”

Scotney is not the only leading female South London boxer in action on September 30. Stable-mate Caroline Dubois challenges for the vacant IBO world lightweight title against Magali Rodriguez at York Hall, Bethnal Green.

Greenwich’s Dubois is a GB Olympian who is 7-0 in the paid ranks and has stopped five opponents.

“She is a tremendous talent – she hits hard and has got all the skils to go with it,” said Scotney. “You’ll see on Saturday why she is tipped to be a special talent.

“She has got the build to go through all the weights. I think she’ll win multiple world titles at multiple weights.”

Scotney recently posted on social media that she was watching TikTok’s of food she is banned from eating while looking to make weight for the Griffa clash.

She said: “On Monday, in fight week, I went to the cafe and had a black coffee and my brother tucked into a full English fry-up! I’m weird – I enjoy watching people eat. The dieting, along with the sprints, is the hardest part of camp. We all love the sparring side of it.

“This camp has gone really well. As soon as I won the world title I had a week of downtime and then I was straight back in the gym. It has been a process in my career – I’m a gym rat and just have continuous camps.”

Scotney has talked about a desire to unify in her division but first comes Griffa, who has boxed nearly exclusively in her native Argentina, aside from two bouts in France and one in New Zealand. Griffa has eight defeats in 28 outings and had lost six on the bounce before back-to-back victories. The 37-year-old has boxed 206 career rounds compared to Scotney’s 60.

“I’ve still got the same mindset I had before I became world champion,” said Scotney. “You have still got to win your own belt. My attitude hasn’t changed from my first amateur title fight to my first world title fight – I want to leave a legacy.

“I wanted momentum and they (promoters Matchroom Boxing) are giving it to me. I’ve got to show improvement.”

Scotney was delighted to see Matchroom’s five-figure donation save one of her former amateur clubs, Lynn ABC, from closure.

“When you step through the doors there it has a magical feel,” she said. “I know what it did for me, that chubby nine-year-old. The area is deprived, with crime. It genuinely is a place that has saved lives.”

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