Keys to Victory: Where will the Ellie Scotney vs. Mayelli Flores battle be won and lost?

The undisputed junior featherweight world championship will be on the line tonight at London’s Olympia when Ellie Scotney collides with Mayelli Flores. The bout will serve as chief support to Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions’ first London card and its headliner of Caroline Dubois vs. Terri Harper in their own unification bout.

Scotney (11-0), the junior featherweight WBC, IBF and WBO champ, last defended her titles with a dominant unanimous decision over Yamileth Mercado as part of the Katie Taylor-Amanda Serrano trilogy card at Madison Square Garden in July.

She faces Flores (13-1-1, 4 KOs), the WBA titleholder, whose sole action in 2025 came in May when she edged Nazarena Romero via split decision.

Will Scotney conquer the 122-pound division before setting her sights on loftier ambitions? Or will Flores shine brightest with her biggest career accomplishment?

DAZN News analyzes the Keys to Victory for both women, heading into tonight’s matchup.

Ellie Scotney’s Keys to Victory

Be the first to the punch

Ellie Scotney used her speed to be the first to the punch against Yamileth Mercado and it allowed her to score points with the jab and subsequent potshots that followed.

The reigning unified junior featherweight champion is capable of much of the same against a tough Mayelli Flores.

Pick off an incoming Flores

To negate Scotney’s speed and range, Flores will have to close the distance. And when she attempts to do just that, Scotney will need to pounce at that very moment, picking off an incoming Flores with clean output.

These potshots will serve Scotney well on the judges' scorecards.

Mix in some body work

Incorporating body work is already part of Scotney’s fight game. By effectively alternating between the head and body, Scotney could constantly keep Flores guessing and even continue to own ring real estate between them toward an undisputed coronation.

DAZN

Mayelli Flores’ Keys to Victory

Show educated pressure to get inside of Scotney’s jab

Mayelli Flores needs to get inside of Ellie Scotney’s jab to have success in cramped quarters in this championship bout.

Therefore, the WBA junior featherweight world champion must force her way into the phone booth, but do so with educated pressure.

If she gets reckless in any way, Scotney is too skilled of a sharpshooter and will make her pay.

Time Scotney for counters

Even with quick hands, Scotney can be timed for a counter by Flores, who must load up and be ready.

A timed, thudding counterpunch from Flores can dramatically shift this fight and serve as the kill switch to Scotney’s speed as the Mexican fighter touts power.

Launch the overhand right

Standing 4-feet-11, Flores’ overhand right could be the WBA champ’s best bet to damage Scotney in the pocket.

When she feels the British fighter is close, Flores unleashing this punch could maximize her chances at pulling off the upset in wearing the undisputed crown.

Sign up to DAZN Ultimate Tier to get PPVs included in your subscription 

Subscribe to DAZN Ultimate Tier to get a minimum of 12 PPV events included per year, including Chisora vs. Wilder (April 4), Wardley vs. Dubois (May 9), and Usyk vs Verhoeven (May 23), on top of another 185 fight nights and Serie A football. 

Sign up for £24.99 / $44.99 per month. More details here.