Ellie Scotney’s increasing faith means that she will go to church on Easter Sunday ahead of her undisputed junior-featherweight title fight against Mayelli Flores Rosquero later that evening.
Scotney seeks to add the WBA title to those she already has from the IBF, WBC and WBO, and ahead of her most significant contest – on the undercard of Caroline Dubois-Terri Harper at London’s Olympia – attributes her being a Christian to her belief that as a fighter she is continuing to evolve.
The 28 year old from England is already widely recognised as one of the world’s finest fighters, and is fighting for what she considers to be the “pinnacle” in only her 12th fight.
She continues to be linked with a potentially lucrative contest with the Australian Skye Nicolson, and also has plans to move up in weight, but she remains relaxed – instead of too heavily trying to influence her future – because of the conviction she increasingly draws from her faith.
“I’ve changed as a person – I’ve really grown in faith this past year, and I look at life so differently now,” she told BoxingScene. “I don’t let other factors get in the way of anything. When I’m [at the gym] I’m applying myself fully. I always have been, but that little one per cent more – I’ve added a few more on.
“I’ve always been a Christian. This past year I’ve really lived by that – lived by my word. I’ve changed my habits; changed my ways. Just seeing myself grow and flourish in that way – it’s helped me channel in on a level I didn’t know I could get to. I just see things in a clearer sense. It’s God.
“The way I’m evolving, and going stronger to God – I truly believe that. It’s mellowed me in a sense that’s really channeled me.
“It never was uncertainty [after separating from Matchroom]. My faith always knows that whatever’s next for me has already been aligned. It was just God’s time and God’s plan and just being patient in the waiting.”
Scotney-Rosquero represents Scotney’s first fight since her promoters Most Valuable Promotions agreed a long-term broadcast deal with the influential British broadcaster Sky Sports.
She is benefitting from the prospect of their plans for her as much as she is benefitting from training alongside, among others, Chris Billam-Smith and Dubois, and similarly from the fact that in her past fight, July’s victory over Yamileth Mercado, she fought for the first time as a professional in the US.
“The method in the gym – we all strive to be better and that’s just how it is,” she said. “We’ve always been that as a gym. Even looking at CBS – when I tell you that guy’s helped me more than you know, just watching his journey, if he has a setback how he channels that and uses it as a strength… we use every bit of each other to encourage one another.
“I guess in a sense [it’s good to share a fight date with Dubois], ‘cause you’re buzzing – you’re at the same stage of camp like that. But no matter who you’re sharing the card with, whoever you’re fighting, all that matters is when you’re in the ring and that bell goes.
“[Sky Sports is] the biggest and the best platform when you’re in Britain – the push they give you. It’s definitely the right angle to go in.
“The Katie Taylor bill [in July] – you couldn’t ask to be on a better bill – delivering the WBC fight that I’ve been chasing for a while, and now you couldn’t ask for any better than the next one being undisputed. They’re doing more than what they even said.
“It was crazy. I went out there as an unknown for certain but the support I got off that was insane – I still even get people now, [sending] messages of encouragement. It was a blessing to box out in New York – it’s what everyone wants to do. American fans are different.”
The 33-year-old Rosquero, from Mexico, regardless stands in her way.
“‘Cause of what’s at stake, and the way she fights, her size, she uses it as a strength, I’d say she’s my best opponent, but I’d say I’m hers, too,” Scotney said.
“She’s good at what she does – she comes forward, she presses the pace, throws in volume, she’s got a good chin, she’s solid, she’s strong, and she’s relentless. That in itself, fighting for every belt adds another layer or factor to that, so I’ve got to be disciplined in this fight, and that’s really what I’ve been drilling in camp. When I tell ya I’ve never listened to Shane [McGuigan, my trainer] so much in my life, I’ve never listened [to Shane so much]. I’ve just zoned in, and if he’s told me to jump I’ve asked ‘How high?’. That’s really been the method to this whole camp – whether that’s my approach to training, everything he’s said I’ve listened.
“My respect for her is on a different level, because she’s a champion and it’s the final step, and that in itself is the hardest, no matter who it is. But I truly believe she’s my hardest opponent. But the respect for what Shane says – something’s kind of clicked this camp, where I’ve grown as a person. I’ve really applied myself in a different sense. It’s weird – I feel in such a good place – and that’s come from being so disciplined.
“Maybe her stubbornness [is her weakness]. The only way she does know is come forward. That in itself – if I play it to my strengths, which we’ve been working on, I believe that’ll be the difference.
“This is just – I truly believe – turning over and being world champion, when you achieved that the pressure was lifted. Undisputed’s like the pinnacle of sport – [but] once you do that you start again from zero from the weight above. That would be, God willing, the plan. But Flores is in front of me and that’s a hard fight and that’s all my focus is on.”
