Boxing

Amanda Serrano and Ellie Scotney in the sights of world champion Nina Meinke

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By Admin
Sports Journalist
Amanda Serrano and Ellie Scotney in the sights of world champion Nina Meinke

Nina Meinke will be a keen observer when Ellie Scotney takes to the ring this Sunday, but she also isn't giving up on a blockbuster showdown with Amanda Serrano just yet. 

The German fighter is the reigning IBF featherweight world champion having successfully retained her title against Dyana Vargas in March.

Meinke had been due to face unified featherweight world champion Serrano in March 2024, before the fight was cancelled when the Puerto Rican great was ruled out due to a eye injury.

While Serrano has been linked to retirement, Meinke still has hope of pursuing unfinished business.

"I want the Amanda Serrano fight," she told Your Site. "It's on my list, they promised me the fight. I think I still deserve it.

"I was there two years ago in Puerto Rico, the fight got cancelled. There's another two belts I want. So we're in a different position now as well than two years ago. So we're both for the two titles. I think this is a fight that people would want to see as well.

"They promised it when they cancelled it that I will get the fight. Still haven't heard out yet. So I'm definitely knocking on that door."

Meinke became world champion in September 2024 when she beat Daniela Romina Bermúdez to claim the IBF belt, before securing a unanimous decision win in their rematch last May.

Lewisham's Scotney could yet enter the fold were she to move up in weight following Sunday's undisputed super bantamweight clash with Mexico's Mayelli Flores.

"The promoter will have to decide [on a potential Scotney fight] but we'll have to see first," said Meinke. "I'm going to watch her fight. I want to be in to check that. But I think we will have to see now.

"Obviously for me, Amanda Serrano is now the girl, the woman I want to fight first."

Meinke maintains that Serrano remains the priority target for now, and is keen to continue fighting at 12 three-minute rounds.

The 33-year-old notably fought Irish great Katie Taylor in April 2017, losing via a seventh-round stoppage to miss out on the vacant WBA International lightweight title.

Taylor has been victorious on all three of her meetings with Serrano in one of the greatest rivalries in women's boxing history.

"I've reached my goals," said Meinke. "I always wanted to become a world champion. I've managed to do that one and a half years ago, so now I'm a double world champion.

"We fought the 12 threes. We started with a big movement. The next plan is to get more belts and it's a Serrano fight, definitely. That's like the biggest fight that I can get in the featherweight division.

"She mentioned something about fighting Tiara Brown as well. We're going to try to get into negotiations with them and see what they say. If she wants to fight Tiara next or if it's me."

As for Scotney, she features on the undercard of Sunday's unification bout between Caroline Dubois and Terri Harper at Kensington's Olympia.

She may not agree with her approach outside of the ring, but Meinke believes Dubois holds the edge.

"That's going to be an interesting fight," she said. "It was crazy what was going on the last weeks. I'm going with Caroline. I think she's the stronger and tougher fighter, but I'm cheering for Terri. I like the attitude of Terri.

"I like that she's not going with all that hate and stuff, so I prefer that a little bit more. Terri is a strong fighter as well.

"I'm not a fan of all this hate before, I always like my opponents. She likes boxing. I like boxing. Why do I need to hate her? When we're in the ring, we're in the ring, there's no friendship in the ring. We go to war. But before, I don't really see the point of hating each other."

Watch Dubois vs Harper live on Your Site on Sunday April 5.

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