Scotney Declares: “I Deserve Fighter of the Year!”

“I deserve fighter of the year!” Ellie Scotney delivered an electrifying ten‑round spectacle on Easter Sunday, out‑punching Mayelli Flores in a bout that will be remembered as one of 2026’s most relentless contests. The British pugilist secured a unanimous decision, unifying all four major world titles at super‑bantamweight and earning the distinction of becoming the United Kingdom’s youngest undisputed champion in the modern four‑belt era.

Reflecting on the ferocious encounter, Scotney described the fight as "ridiculous" in its intensity. "It felt like we were throwing a punch every two seconds," she told Sky Sports.

"People kept saying someone would run out of steam, but the action just kept coming. It was a barnstormer. I’ve always dreamed of being part of a war like that, and to cap it off with an undisputed crown makes it even more special.

Growing up watching those wild fights, to actually live one was just wicked." The bout was streamed through the NOW platform, free of traditional contract constraints, and fans were encouraged to tune in via Chrome for the best video experience. The Toe2Toe podcast also featured a weekly discussion of the fight’s highlights.

Scotney knew she had to seize the momentum in the latter half of the match. "In the sixth round she landed a flurry on the ropes and something clicked – I just went straight at her," the Catford‑born fighter recalled. She noted that Flores tends to start strong and finish strong, making her a dangerous opponent at both ends of the fight. "She was throwing a lot of volume, but the key was who could land cleaner shots.

I think my accuracy made the difference. It was a great fight to be part of." The road to that night was anything but smooth.

Six weeks before the showdown, Scotney suffered a torn calf muscle that forced her to abandon running. "You end up playing catch‑up," she admitted. Additional setbacks plagued her training camp: a nerve irritation in her arm, numerous minor injuries, and the grueling weight cut required to make super‑bantamweight. "It was my biggest fight and everything seemed to conspire against me.

The calf gave out again in the fifth round, my quads exploded, and I was standing opposite someone who was ready to fire every second. It was a long night," Scotney said. She emphasized how the physical challenges forced her to fight from a standing position, relying on sheer willpower and technique rather than the usual fluid movement. "The calf went again in the fifth round, then my quads blew up, so I was standing opposite someone who was ready to go at every second… It was a long night," she recalled.

"To fight at that pace with everything going wrong in the camp was tough, but I prevailed on one of the greatest nights of my career." The aftermath brought a profound sense of relief and euphoria. "The feeling that washed over all the aches and pains was a peace I’d never known before.

I feel like I’m floating," she said, describing the emotional high that followed the victory. Despite the triumph, Scotney’s ambition remains unquenched. With only twelve professional fights under her belt, she acknowledges there is still much to learn and achieve. "There’s so much for me to learn, so much to do, and I’ve only had twelve fights," she remarked.

Looking ahead, a move up in weight class appears on the horizon. Having completed the super‑bantamweight conquest, Scotney is contemplating a jump to featherweight, where the division boasts champions such as Amanda Serrano (WBO and WBA), Tiara Brown (WBC), and Nina Meinke (IBF). "I’ve ticked off the super‑bantamweight titles. I’ve been waiting to make the move for a long while.

I’ll sit down with the team and decide the next steps," she explained. Scotney’s competitive spirit drives her toward new challenges.

"I’m the type of person who always wants a challenge, and that always comes with a champion. I’ll sit down with the team and see what’s next," she affirmed. "If I could, I’d jump straight into another world‑title fight. I just want a challenge.

It lights something in me." In summary, Ellie Scotney’s Easter Sunday victory was not only a historic unification of the super‑bantamweight crowns but also a testament to her resilience in the face of injury, adversity, and relentless opposition. Her declaration that she deserves fighter of the year encapsulates the passion, grit, and determination that defined the night, and fans can expect her to continue seeking higher peaks as she contemplates a new chapter in the featherweight division.