“A few years ago I almost walked away from the sport.”
Chantelle Cameron gave Eddie Hearn an incredible ultimatum before accepting the undisputed unification bout against Katie Taylor this Saturday.
In many ways, this fight was the easiest that Hearn and Matchroom ever had to make considering the size of the event. Cameron couldn’t care less about the posters, which name went first, who did the ring walk, she just wanted to fight.
Legacy was the prime objective in the eyes of the English woman – she knew that by fighting Taylor, she could cement her name in the history books.
However, there was one major issue that had to be dealt with as far as Cameron was considered, and it’s unlike anything else that’s ever happened in boxing.
Originally, Ellie Scotney was due to fight on the undercard for a world title, an unbelievable opportunity for an up and coming fighter chasing her dreams.
That dream would no longer be taking place in Dublin though, as Cameron refused to fight on the same card as her, meaning that Hearn had to remove her from the event.
💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/HIyZCsggZn
— Ellie Scotney (@elliescotney_) April 4, 2023
As Amanda Serrano was originally down to be Taylor’s opponent, her injury meant that Cameron swooped in to save the day, and save the event.
Hearn had no choice but to give in to her demands and remove Scotney from the card, but it wasn’t the fighter she had a problem with, it was her trainer Shane McGuigan.
McGuigan is best known as the son of Barry McGuigan, the former Irish world champion, and he is a renowned trainer, having been in the corner for superstars like Carl Frampton, George Groves, Josh Taylor and David Haye.
Statement from Shane McGuigan on Ellie Scotney being removed from Katie Taylor vs Chantelle Cameron card… pic.twitter.com/OfHI9dFQkH
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) April 6, 2023
However, he was also the trainer of Cameron when she began her journey as a professional fighter, and their split was so bad, that the Nottingham fighter refuses to prepare for the biggest fight of her life, with McGuigan any where near the place.
Due to legal reasons, Cameron cant disclose what exactly their fall out was about, but has claimed that the trainer caused her a lot of damage to her mental health.
Scotney is the innocent victim in all of this, although thankfully her world title fight challenge has been rescheduled, and she will have the opportunity to claim that belt.
🗣️ @EddieHearn explains difficult situation regarding Ellie Scotney and Chantelle Cameron in relation to May 20 in Dublin.
Watch FULL interview here 👇https://t.co/Iu7c9Ax8DS#EddieHearn #boxingnews #boxing pic.twitter.com/q0Htbkm85x
— IFL TV (@IFLTV) April 6, 2023
Cameron released the following statement to explain the reasoning behind her decision to remove Scotney.
“A few years ago I almost walked away from the sport I love because of what I went through with my team. I would have hoped that she would have understood the situation and how important our mental health is going into fights like these, especially as the away fighter in Dublin where Katie is hailed as a national treasure, the last thing I need is more intimidation,” Cameron stated.
“It brings me to this point where I am in the biggest fight of my life. It has not been an easy road and it has not been an easy decision for my team to make, but they have to protect me in this situation and I have to protect myself.
“I am sorry this impacts Ellie, this is not about her, and even though I don’t appreciate being publicly bullied and shamed into trying to change the decision last night, I really do wish her well moving forward and know that there are big opportunities around the corner for her.”
Related links:
- Who Chantelle Cameron is and why this is Katie Taylor’s toughest fight yet
- Chantelle Cameron concerned about unfair scoring in Katie Taylor fight
- Former world champion sums up Katie Taylor perfectly in bold tweet
