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Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ellie Scotney is where she belongs on Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano supercard
Madison Square Garden, it does not get much better than that for any fighter and next month Ellie Scotney defends her three world titles in that hallowed ring. It is an unimaginable achievement for a kid from Lewisham who has had to battle every inch of the way to reach the top. Though she was a good amateur and part of the Team GB set-up, she chose to turn pro rather than putting all her chips in the Olympic basket. That route is not for everyone and turning over when she did looks like an even better decision now. Though it has been hard generating momentum in the pro ranks, she is a fighter to her boot laces and stuck at it. The New York assignment against Yamileth Mercardo is only her 11th fight and her first abroad. She won the first of her three belts, the IBF super bantamweight crown, in only her seventh fight. Mercardo is also a tough kid, heavy handed and cock-sure. She thinks she is going to roll over the top of Ellie. Her shots are wild and heavy. She believes nothing can stop her, but she could not be more wrong. I watch Scotney working on the pads with Shane. She picks things up so quickly. She blocks, slips, rolls her head like a veteran. She does not rely on knockout power. She is super slick with a great jab and throws lots of punches. This could turn out to be her toughest assignment. The WBO and IBO belts are on the line as well as the IBF crown, but she is ready for that because tough fights are she has known. She is sharing the all-female bill with some great fighters, headed by Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano. She thoroughly deserves her place among the big names. To fight where Muhammad Ali fought Joe Frazier twice is an incredible privilege. The centre of gravity has shifted to Las Vegas and Saudi Arabia but nothing resonates like the Garden. Though the eyes are drawn to the likes of Taylor, Serrano and Alycia Baumgardner, I'm certain when people leave the arena they will be talking about Scotney with reverence. She is old school, loves the game, loves the work, and is absolutely committed. We are so proud to have her in our gym. She represents the McGuigan brand in a most extraordinary way. And this is her reward, her name in lights in New York City, a night she will never forget and one that we believe with make her reputation. Follow Barry on X at @ClonesCyclone @mcguigan's_Gym
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘Irish cannot handle spice' – Watch Katie Taylor struggle in hilarious challenge with TWO Hollywood A-listers
KATIE TAYLOR felt the heat after appearing as a special guest on an episode of Hot Ones: Versus starring a pair of Hollywood A-listers. The undisputed super lightweight champion appeared "in the corner" of 2 Charlize Theron and Uma Thurman went up against each other in an episode of Hot Ones: Versus Credit: First We Feast YouTube 2 Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano both appeared on the episode and felt the heat Credit: First We Feast YouTube The South African actress, meanwhile, was backed up by Not happy with merely appearing on the episode, As the Irishwoman got stuck in, Academy Award winner Theron quipped: "The Irish cannot handle spice" to which KT shook her head in agreement. The effects became quickly apparent, as the Bray Bomber admitted: "My mouth's on fire ." Read More on Katie Taylor Next up to taste was Serrano, who too felt the power of the spice, while Taylor remarked: "I'm gonna start crying". It got so bad that she had to ask the Kill Bill star if she could have some of her milk to cool down. Taylor and Serrano's cameos were designed to promote their upcoming trilogy bout on July 11, live on The Irish legend will once again face the Puerto Rican, having accrued a 2-0 lead in their series so far. Most read in Boxing Their third bout with be the Also featuring on the card are the likes of Alycia Baumgardner, Savannah Marshall, and '20 years in the making' – Katie Taylor teases huge announcement and leaves fans speculating 'Croke Park?' However, the card has had to undergo an unexpected change when She was due to face IBF bantamweight champion Shurretta Metcalf in a title unification bout However, the unified bantamweight champ revealed that she is expecting her second child, while she has relinquished her WBO title. Upon her return to the ring Thorslund may request to be designated mandatory challenger. The 30-year-old said: 'Life can be such a roller coaster, especially as a female boxer. "I was really looking forward to this fight—the biggest moment of my career. 'Recently I found out I was pregnant, a curve I hadn't expected, but a joyous one. "Even though the decision was easy, the athlete in me is sad, as I SO wanted to stand in that ring and make history on Friday, July 11. "But I'll be back! "When I do step back in the ring, there will be another little person that I can fight for and be a role model for. "I plan to show my child that nothing is impossible if you work hard enough for it. "I hope all the boxers have a fantastic evening. I will be cheering from the sidelines, and I can only encourage the rest of the world to either take the trip to Madison Square Garden and experience the magic, or to tune in to watch history being made, live on Netflix.' The unified title belt will remain on the card, however, with reigning WBA holder Cherneka Johnson taking Thorslund's place.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liam Paro destroys Jonathan Navarro for 5th-round TKO in first fight since losing IBF world title
A monstrous left hand put Liam Paro back in the win column Down Under. Paro, who was fighting for the first time since losing his IBF super lightweight title to Richardson Hitchins this past December, forced Jonathan Navarro to retire on his stool after five rounds in their main event bout in the early hours of Wednesday morning at the Convention Centre in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. Advertisement The Aussie southpaw landed a crushing overhand left on Navarro (18-2, 9 KOs) in the final 45 seconds of the fifth round. Although Navarro rose to his feet almost immediately, he was target practice for Paro's left hand for the remainder of the round. Paro (26-1, 16 KOs) buzzed Navarro again in the final 10 seconds of the deciding round. Navarro went back to his corner as a beaten man — and it didn't take long for his trainer to recognize it either. Navarro's corner team stopped the bout in the one-minute break between rounds five and six, awarding Paro an inside-the-distance win in his return fight. In the previous four rounds, Paro dominated the action with his southpaw jab and stinging body punching. The Aussie dictated the pace, with Navarro hesitant to challenge him, choosing to do his best work through counter-punching. Advertisement Paro began to put his shots together more in rounds three and four, and as he pushed the fight into close range, Navarro was more willing to let his own hands go. Paro's offensive variety, however, made sure Navarro was second best in exchanges. Paro had done a good job of controlling the first four rounds of the fight, and the fifth was looking to be more of the same until he found the breakthrough with a left hand down the middle in the final minute. The knockdown was the beginning of the end for Navarro, who was also dealing with substantial nose damage. It was Paro's first fight in Australia since his opening-round triumph over domestic rival Brock Jarvis in October 2022, which doubled up as his debut for Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing. Advertisement Paro went on to upset the odds in Puerto Rico to dethrone Subriel Matias of his IBF world title, but lost it in his first defense to Hitchins. After four bouts with Matchroom, Paro was a free agent and chose to sign a one-fight deal with Aussie promoter No Limit, which put on his Queensland homecoming bout. No Limit hopes to continue its working relationship with Paro and land him a bout with either Teofimo Lopez, Ryan Garcia or Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz. Paro, who is ranked No. 4 with the WBO, called for a shot at a world title in his post-fight interview, citing his intentions to become a two-time titleholder.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Paro pulverises rival in homecoming statement
A devastating Liam Paro left hook badly busted his rival's nose as the Australian made a brutal statement in the first fight since losing his world title. The Mackay product and former IBF super lightweight champion forced bloodied American Jonathan Navarro to throw in the towel after the fifth round in Cairns on Wednesday night. It moved the 29-year-old to 26-1, Paro's only loss coming late last year to Richardson Hitchins in the first defence of the belt he won against the odds earlier that year in Puerto Rico. "I'm back, thank you," he said after his first Australian appearance for nearly three years. "Truly grateful. I want to get back to the top position. He's (Navarro) a tough competitor, but there's levels to this." Paro is well positioned for title shots with the IBF, WBC and WBO, and his management have listed high-profile targets Teofimo Lopez, Ryan Garcia, Rolando Romero and Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz. "I want to win a world title in front of you guys," Paro said at the Cairns Convention Centre. "I want another belt. Two-time (world champion) has a ring to it ... I want to avenge my loss and I'm ready to prove all the critics wrong." Earlier in the night Caboolture's two-time world title challenger Liam Wilson improved to 16-3 with a frustrating defeat of cagey Argentinian super featherweight Ayrton Gimenez. The visitor used all of the ring to evade the man known as Mr Damage and connected with enough blows in 10 tight rounds to create some nervous moments. But the Argentinian's over-the-top celebrations on the final bell proved foolish as Wilson was awarded the fight 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94. "I felt like saying to these boys to settle down. I won the fight ... sorry guys," Wilson said. "It was hard for Mr Damage to come out tonight ... I wouldn't say he's scared, that's his style." Wilson was denied a shock world title in Arizona when Emanuel Navarrete was afforded a long count after the Australian floored him. The Mexican turned the tables to leave Wilson pondering what could have been and still owns the WBO's super featherweight belt. "That was the whole point of tonight," Wilson said of his hopes for a rematch. "Hopefully I'm one step closer ... I think I deserve a shot." A devastating Liam Paro left hook badly busted his rival's nose as the Australian made a brutal statement in the first fight since losing his world title. The Mackay product and former IBF super lightweight champion forced bloodied American Jonathan Navarro to throw in the towel after the fifth round in Cairns on Wednesday night. It moved the 29-year-old to 26-1, Paro's only loss coming late last year to Richardson Hitchins in the first defence of the belt he won against the odds earlier that year in Puerto Rico. "I'm back, thank you," he said after his first Australian appearance for nearly three years. "Truly grateful. I want to get back to the top position. He's (Navarro) a tough competitor, but there's levels to this." Paro is well positioned for title shots with the IBF, WBC and WBO, and his management have listed high-profile targets Teofimo Lopez, Ryan Garcia, Rolando Romero and Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz. "I want to win a world title in front of you guys," Paro said at the Cairns Convention Centre. "I want another belt. Two-time (world champion) has a ring to it ... I want to avenge my loss and I'm ready to prove all the critics wrong." Earlier in the night Caboolture's two-time world title challenger Liam Wilson improved to 16-3 with a frustrating defeat of cagey Argentinian super featherweight Ayrton Gimenez. The visitor used all of the ring to evade the man known as Mr Damage and connected with enough blows in 10 tight rounds to create some nervous moments. But the Argentinian's over-the-top celebrations on the final bell proved foolish as Wilson was awarded the fight 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94. "I felt like saying to these boys to settle down. I won the fight ... sorry guys," Wilson said. "It was hard for Mr Damage to come out tonight ... I wouldn't say he's scared, that's his style." Wilson was denied a shock world title in Arizona when Emanuel Navarrete was afforded a long count after the Australian floored him. The Mexican turned the tables to leave Wilson pondering what could have been and still owns the WBO's super featherweight belt. "That was the whole point of tonight," Wilson said of his hopes for a rematch. "Hopefully I'm one step closer ... I think I deserve a shot." A devastating Liam Paro left hook badly busted his rival's nose as the Australian made a brutal statement in the first fight since losing his world title. The Mackay product and former IBF super lightweight champion forced bloodied American Jonathan Navarro to throw in the towel after the fifth round in Cairns on Wednesday night. It moved the 29-year-old to 26-1, Paro's only loss coming late last year to Richardson Hitchins in the first defence of the belt he won against the odds earlier that year in Puerto Rico. "I'm back, thank you," he said after his first Australian appearance for nearly three years. "Truly grateful. I want to get back to the top position. He's (Navarro) a tough competitor, but there's levels to this." Paro is well positioned for title shots with the IBF, WBC and WBO, and his management have listed high-profile targets Teofimo Lopez, Ryan Garcia, Rolando Romero and Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz. "I want to win a world title in front of you guys," Paro said at the Cairns Convention Centre. "I want another belt. Two-time (world champion) has a ring to it ... I want to avenge my loss and I'm ready to prove all the critics wrong." Earlier in the night Caboolture's two-time world title challenger Liam Wilson improved to 16-3 with a frustrating defeat of cagey Argentinian super featherweight Ayrton Gimenez. The visitor used all of the ring to evade the man known as Mr Damage and connected with enough blows in 10 tight rounds to create some nervous moments. But the Argentinian's over-the-top celebrations on the final bell proved foolish as Wilson was awarded the fight 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94. "I felt like saying to these boys to settle down. I won the fight ... sorry guys," Wilson said. "It was hard for Mr Damage to come out tonight ... I wouldn't say he's scared, that's his style." Wilson was denied a shock world title in Arizona when Emanuel Navarrete was afforded a long count after the Australian floored him. The Mexican turned the tables to leave Wilson pondering what could have been and still owns the WBO's super featherweight belt. "That was the whole point of tonight," Wilson said of his hopes for a rematch. "Hopefully I'm one step closer ... I think I deserve a shot."
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr vows to NEVER fight again and ‘go into hiding for two years' if he suffers defeat to Jake Paul
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR says defeat to Jake Paul would send him into retirement and hiding. The former middleweight world champion - son to the great Chavez Sr - faces YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul on Saturday in California. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Julio Cesar Chavez Jr says defeat to Jake Paul would send him into retirement and hiding Credit: youtube And the second generation star claims defeat to the 11-1 American would be so shameful he would not be able to show his face. Asked if he would quit boxing forever with a loss, Chavez Jr, 39, said: "Yes, man." Before switching to his native Spanish. Comedian Doknow translated to: "He says if he loses this fight, he's done. He's done with boxing, he'll never fight again. "He'll go into hiding for two years and then maybe come back because he'd be embarrassed to lose to a man like Jake Paul." READ MORE IN boxing SOBER THOUGHTS Chavez sober after overcoming addiction and reveals promise to KO Jake Paul Paul, 28, hit back with: "Well, start planning it out buddy." Chavez Jr won the WBC title in 2011 before making three defences of the green and gold belt his dad helped make so prestigious. But in recent years, dedication has plagued Chavez Jr's career while struggling with substance abuse. He is now a year sober meanwhile Paul is coming off a win over Mike Tyson - who controversially returned aged 58 in November. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 5 His only loss came against Tommy Fury, 26, via split-decision in Saudi Arabia in 2023, winning five on the spin since. And Paul says victory over Chavez Jr puts him in line to earn a WBC and WBA world ranking - paving the way for a shock title shot. He said: "My goal is to become world champion and the WBA and WBC plan on ranking me depending on my performance. And once I'm ranked I can go for the title shot. "He's a formidable opponent, former world champion, it's a great, test ten rounds to get ready for what will ultimately be a world championship fight one day." Badou Jack, 41, currently holds the WBC title and has opened the door to fighting Paul in the past. Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez, 34, is the unified WBA and WBO champ and returns on Paul's undercard to fight Yuniel Dorticos, 39. And Jai Opetaia, 29, is Australia's undefeated pound-for-pound star holding the IBF belt. 5 WBA and WBO chamo Gilberto Ramirez fights on Jake Paul's undercard Credit: Splash 5 WBC champ Badou Jack is open to a fight with Jake Paul Credit: Getty
