Exclusive: Mea Motu Set For Ellie Scotney Showdown ‘ It’s The Perfect Time’

IBO super bantamweight champion Mea Motu is physically and mentally in the best shape of her life as she prepares for the biggest fight of her career.

The 35-year-old finally has her chance to become the unified super bantamweight champion this week when she takes on WBO & IBF champion Ellie Scotney inside the Nottingham Arena. All three belts and the Ring magazine title will be on the line when these two face off on Saturday January 25th.

Since turning professional in 2020, Motu has given everything she has to the sport of boxing, and in return, she has become a household name in New Zealand; known as much for her ferocious in-ring exploits as the work she does outside of the ring, partnering up with I Am Hope, one of the country’s most prominent mental health charities.

It has been a long road to get to this point for Motu, who, as well as dealing with the daily grind that comes with being a pro fighter, has also become a well-known advocate for survivors of domestic abuse after bravely opening up and sharing her story of what she went through when she was younger.

The excitement and passion she has for her work in and out of boxing radiates in the interviews she gives and the energy she brings when competing.

The cold winterly climate of Nottingham may appear a long way from the New Zealand summer season, but for Motu, with 20 fights under her belt, having headlined major local cards and having prior experience of competing and winning overseas on previous opponent’s home turf. Nothing about boxing fazes Motu, and the way she sees it, she is turning up on Saturday with an entire country behind her.

“I’ve been through the trenches. I’ve been through everything you can think of, and I’ve got back up and carried on,” Motu says to Boxing Daily.

“So I’m mentally prepared, but I’m physically repaired, and I’m not just going in there by myself. I’m going with a whole nation.”

Saturday’s fight was initially scheduled for last October until an injury to Scotney forced the fight’s postponement. Rather than dwell on the delay, Motu used her time wisely and locked in a fight with former IBF world title challenger Shannon O’Connell.

The bout reminded everyone of Motu’s power, with the mother-of-five landing a barrage of heavy shots on O’Connell, forcing the Australian’s team to throw in the towel.

After a short break at home in Auckland, Motu began her camp for the Scotney fight and believes the date change has worked in her favor.

“I just feel like it’s the perfect time. Once I step in there, I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I trust in me. I trust in my team. I trust in my coaches, and I know what I’m capable of doing, and I know my greatness,” she explains.

“I’m also not scared. I’m not scared to fail, I’m not scared to get hurt and I’m also not scared to be happy and enjoy and love life, ” she says.

“The biggest thing that has hit me in the last couple of days is that everyone is chasing the belts, and yes, we are chasing that, but I have done more than just the belts. I’ve changed lives. I’ve made an impact on people’s lives. I’m making a change in humanity, and that’s why I fight. I’m fighting for the belts; I’m fighting for me and humanity and people for the next generation.”

Motu’s journey to world champion status is deeply entwined with her journey of self-discovery, her victories in the ring, and strong connections with her team, helping her reconnect with herself and process the experiences she went through in the past. It has given her a strength that goes beyond anything gained in a gym.

Saturday’s bout features the highest stakes of Motu’s boxing career, but she has already won more important victories outside the sport. Come fight night, Motu will step into the ring on her terms, confident in who she is and the skills she carries with her; she will also step in with the support of an entire nation.

” I love who I am, and I love walking into that arena. I will respect everybody; no matter what, I’m a lover, not a fighter. I’m a fighter when I hit the ring, but outside the ring, I’m a lover, and I ain’t going to change that; I am going to remain Mea Motu.”