Kiwi boxer Mea Motu discharged in the title match against Ellie Scotney

Ellie Scotney and Mea Motu exchange battles under the women’s IBF, IBO and WBO World Super Bantamweight titler’s match.
Photo: Ben Roberts/Getty Images

A gross effort by boxer Mea Motu was not enough for her to become New Zealand’s first overall world champion ever.

She lost her bantamweight title match in Nottingham on Sunday Morning (NZ-Time) to British Ellie Scotney by unanimous scoring decision, with the judges awarding only one of the 10 rounds to Motu.

There was excitement in the Kiwi camp early in the first round when the two undefeated fighters started, with a cut over Scotney’s eye, but the cause of the injury was from a main clash rather than a motu stroke.

From there Scotney got into his work well and showed a super solid skill set.

She became stronger as the 10-round competition progressed, where Motu struggled to find a way to troubleshoot her opponent.

Scotney’s best round was arguably the ninth, although the hard Motu did not falter from being hit by a few strong uppercuts.

Eventually, all three judges scored the match 99-91.

“She was a tough girl,” Scotney told the Dazn TV station after being confirmed as the winner.

“I have so much respect for her and she was 20 and 0, I’ve never struggled with anyone easier,” she said.

The loss is the first in Motu’s career, with her record now on 20 wins and 1 loss, but Dazn analyst and former WBC Cruiserweight title holder Tony Bellew was impressed with what New Zealand brought to the match.

“Motu is a problem for everyone in and around the division she doesn’t stop she is relentless, so she’s coming again,

“But for now, Ellie Scotney, for me, is the queen of the division.”