Chantelle Cameron has responded to a claim from fellow boxer Ellie Scotney that she has had the 25-year-old removed from the undercard of her 3Arena showdown with Katie Taylor.
London fighter Scotney was due to face Cherneka Johnson for the IBF super bantamweight world title in Dublin next month prior to Cameron defending her super-lightweight belts against Taylor.
But the 6-0 boxer claimed on Tuesday that she had been taken off the card as the result of a request from undisputed world champion Cameron.
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Scotney tweeted: “I am incredibly disappointed to say that I am now hearing I will be removed from the May 20th card in Dublin due to Chantelle Cameron and her manager insisting to my promoter that I’m not allowed to be on her undercard because of who trains me. This is despite having been on two cards together before with no problems whatsoever!
“After my world title fight had been announced (on a huge night globally for women’s boxing), my dream is now being taken away form me by a fellow fighter dictating terms and making unreasonable demands to my promoter. I cannot describe how heartbroken I am.”
Scotney is coached by Shane McGuigan, son of former world champion Barry McGuigan and who previously trained Cameron before a split in 2019, with the Northampton native now being coached by Jamie Moore.
Responding to Scotney's claim, Cameron wrote on Wednesday afternoon: "I'm gutted to have to come on here and write this today, but I've had no option after the statement that was issued last night and the harassment, threats and witch hunt that came after.
"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.
"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.
"I have worked so hard since that point to put this behind me, to grow from it, to find my confidence again, to feel positive, to fall back in love with this amazing sport, and surround myself with people that want to look after me and always put my best interests at heart.
"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.
"I am sorry this impacts Ellie, this is not about her."
It continues: "I really do wish her well moving forward and know that there are big opportunities around the corner for her.
"It's not in my nature to air my grievances or emotions in public and I would never have mentioned anything about this, especially on social media, but feel like I've been left with no choice but to defend myself having been attacked for trying to protect myself.
"This is the last I'll be saying on this matter and will continue to fully focus on training and the mammoth fight ahead."
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