Chantelle Cameron has responded to the public accusation that she and her team had Ellie Scotney’s upcoming world title fight removed from the Katie Taylor card in Dublin on May 20.
Scotney took to social media to reveal that her bout had been removed from the card due to Cameron and her management teams’ insistence. She was set to challenge Cherneka Johnson for the IBF super bantamweight world title.
Topping the bill in Dublin is Cameron defending her super lightweight titles against Taylor, who bids to become a two-weight world champion after unifying the lightweight division.
After revealing she had no option but to respond due to ‘harassment and threats’ off the back of Scotney’s statement, Cameron confirmed that her team had taken issue with the undercard bout.
“Firstly, I am sorry that Ellie feels the way she does.
I respect her as a fighter, and I wish the situation was different, but as female fighters, who always have to work harder to prove ourselves, I would have hoped that she would have understood the situation and how important our mental health is going in to 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. Yes, I am a fighter, but I am human too.”
She responded to Scotney’s assertion that the issue stemmed from her work with trainer Shane McGuigan, however said she couldn’t say more because of a non-disclosure agreement.
“A few years ago I was almost walking away from a sport I love because of what I went through with my team and was not in a good mental or physical place at all.
I cannot begin to describe how horribly I was treated, and it’s a part of my life that I want to try and forget. Unfortunately, due to an NDA forced upon me, I can’t disclose any of the details of this, which is why I’ve never told the story.”
Cameron said she had ‘worked so hard’ to find her confidence again in the sport, before responding to the fact that she has fought on the same cards as Scotney prior to this one.
“Ellie is right when she said that she has fought on the same cards as me before, but on those occasions only the people closest to me know what I had to go through because of this, and did what was necessary to make sure I stayed on track and positive, and not let that affect my mindset and my performance, despite the emotions it triggered.”
So, it brings me to this point, where I am in the biggest fight of my life and what I have worked towards for all these years. 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.”
Cameron apologised that the decision impacted Scotney, who was set to take part in the biggest contest of her career, and wished her well for the future. However, she did take issue with being ‘publicly bullied and shamed’ into changing the decision.
The event marks big time boxing’s return to Ireland, and the first time Taylor has fought in her home country as a professional.