Latest news with #Scotney
Daily Mirror
8 hours 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
Daily Record
04-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Stirling runner claims top step in gruelling 400km Highlands ultra marathon
Marcus Scotney - who turned 50 earlier this year - was first over the finish line after the eight-day Cape Wrath Ultra, which sees super-fit competitors trek across ten rugged stages of the West Highlands. A super-fit Stirling runner has defied the years to secure a remarkable ultra-marathon victory after a punishing eight-day event. Marcus Scotney came over the finishing line in top spot on May 25 in the Cape Wrath Ultra race for 2025, with runners clambering over some of Scotland's most rugged and wild terrain in an epic trek from the heart of the Highlands to the iconic Cape Wrath lighthouse. In a race which spanned eight days and an incredible 400 kilometres, Scotney - who holds the course record for the ultra race from his win back in 2016 - was first over the line in a finishing time of 42 hours, 55 minutes and five seconds. He finished just over two hours ahead of the second placed finisher in Jon Shield, who completed the race in 45:05:27. Third place went to Lewis Taylor, who was narrowly off second in a closing time of 45:21:03. But his already incredible achievement is made even more remarkable by the fact that Scotney turned 50 years of age this year. After finishing at the line placed on Scotland's most north-westerly point, Scotney said: 'After winning the inaugural edition of the Cape Wrath Ultra in 2016, I had always wanted to return and experience the incredible route once more. 'The Cape Wrath Ultra is a truly spectacular trail; you quickly run out of superlatives trying to describe how breathtaking the course is each and every day. 'This year, however, I wasn't sure how my now 50-year-old body would cope with eight consecutive days of demanding running. Each stage of the race is unique and unforgettable.' Participants faced unprecedented hot weather for the first five days until inevitably the Scottish weather finally caught up with the race, bringing gale force winds and torrential rain. Revered for its brutal beauty and uncompromising challenge, the Cape Wrath Ultra tested endurance, resilience, and spirit, delivering an unforgettable experience at the edge of the world. Hundreds of intrepid runners took to the start line at Fort William, with the race stretching all the way up the remote Western Highlands across ten punishing stages. Scotney continued: 'The competition this year was fierce and relentless. 'I was pushed all the way by Jon Shield, who finished second, and Lewis Taylor, who came third. 'Their presence kept me sharp, even on the tougher days, particularly day seven, when I had to dig deep to keep going. Crossing the finish line was a deeply emotional moment.' Shane Ohly, race director and founder of Ourea Events, added:'Every year, we are humbled and inspired by the athletes who take on this challenge. 'With runners hailing from 19 different countries, the 2025 Cape Wrath Ultra was no exception and witnessing Marcus return to win for his 50th birthday was a real highlight.' Entries for the 2026 edition of the Cape Wrath Ultra opened on Friday. With limited places available and high demand expected, prospective participants are encouraged to sign up early to secure their spot on this once-in-a-lifetime journey.
BBC News
09-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
World champion Scotney signs with Paul's MVP
Britain's unified super-bantamweight world champion Ellie Scotney has signed with Jake Paul's promotional outfit Most Valuable 27-year-old, who holds the IBF and WBO belts, has won all 10 professional bouts. Londoner Scotney was previously signed to Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing. In her last outing, she defended her titles against Mea Motu in January. "MVP is breaking barriers for women's boxing, and I'm proud to be part of a movement that's creating real change and global opportunities for female fighters," Scotney said."This is just the beginning, and I can't wait to show the world what's next."YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul - who beat former heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson in a controversial and much-publicised bout in November - is a divisive figure in the sport but has championed the female code through MVP, which he co-founded with Nakisa Bidarian."Becoming a unified super-bantamweight world champion has been the result of years of grit, sacrifice, and passion - and now, with the backing of MVP, Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul, I'm ready to take things to the next level," Scotney added. IBF bantamweight champion Shurretta Metcalf and undefeated featherweight contenders Jennifer Miranda and Elizabeth Oshoba have also signed with month, Briton Ramla Ali joined the MVP stable, while American Paul also represents undisputed super-featherweight world champion Alycia Baumgardner and seven-division champion Amanda will earn the biggest fight purse for a woman boxer alongside long-time rival Katie Taylor when they fight again in July.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Yahoo
Drug gangs busted by police as £12m of cannabis seized
Police teams tackling the threat presented by industrial-scale cannabis farms have taken more than £12m worth of cannabis out of the supply chain. Raiding buildings from former schools and empty town centre shops to a disused office Dyfed-Powys Police has successfully disrupted 37 commercial-sized cannabis farms over the past year alone with 35 people arrested. Policing teams across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and Powys continue to gather and act on intelligence as part of Operation Scotney – a CID-led operation launched in response to the increasing number of cannabis factories being established by organised crime gangs. Scotney has proven to be the force's widest and most successful drugs operation to date with cannabis worth more than £12m in street value seized and destroyed along with tonnes of commercial scale heating and lighting equipment. Stay informed on Carmarthenshire news by signing up to our newsletter here. Explaining how the operation came about detective chief inspector Rich Lewis said: 'Through proactive policing work taking place across the force it came to our attention that a number of large-scale cannabis factories were being discovered in seemingly unconnected areas. We're talking about thousands of plants being seized during each warrant, which for us was highly unusual. 'It was established fairly quickly that these factories were in fact linked in that the people we suspected to be responsible were believed to have been recruited by organised crime gangs from outside the force area hoping to go undetected in our rural towns. Given the size of the factories and the quantities of cannabis being discovered we knew we needed to take firm action and so Operation Scotney was launched at the beginning of 2024.' Led by the force's criminal investigation department Operation Scotney sees detectives, intelligence experts, and proactive policing officers work together to establish where the factories are being set up and to swoop in and disrupt them before the cannabis grows can be cultivated. So far 37 warrants have been executed in the four divisions with tens of thousands of plants discovered. DCI Lewis explained that these factories are not being set up in hidden-away places, where criminals can come and go undetected, but in public areas, town centres, and even in the same street as a police station. 'What has been incredible, alongside the amount of cannabis we have discovered being grown, is the brazen approach those responsible have taken,' DCI Lewis said. 'We've seen former schools, empty shops, and a former newspaper office used as cannabis factories and a number of these were in town centres where it would be very difficult to go unnoticed. This led us to believe the gangs are using bold tactics such as disguising themselves as construction workers or landlords to enter and leave these buildings without raising suspicions. 'Their tactic was to hide in plain sight – who would suspect that someone wearing a high-visibility vest carrying large boxes into a disused building in broad daylight could be setting up a cannabis factory? The fact that 400 plants were found just four doors down from the police station in Newcastle Emlyn just goes to show their determination to carry out their criminal endeavours – but our determination to stop them is greater.' Over the course of a year 35 people have been arrested and charged under Operation Scotney: 29 of these have been jailed, four are awaiting sentencing, two are yet to enter a plea, and two additional people have been deported following arrest. As officers continue their work they are asking members of the public to be vigilant, to be aware of the signs that a cannabis factory is operating, and to report any concerns to the force. 'We have openly shared the results of Operation Scotney warrants and will continue to do so as we enter 2025,' DCI Lewis said. 'It has proven to be a very successful operation so far and we're making great strides towards the force priority of making the Dyfed-Powys area hostile to those who deal drugs. We will continue our work to tackle the vulnerability posed by these gangs and we will act on any intelligence supplied by the public that could assist us in achieving this aim. 'Alongside this we will have a focus on those individuals enabling this criminal activity to take place in their properties. By this we mean investigating people renting or leasing premises without due diligence, those supplying electrical goods and hardware including hydroponics, and anyone profiting from this endeavour.' Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. See our Privacy Notice.
