Exclusive: Amanda Serrano’s Controversial Demands Force Ellie Scotney to Change Cutman Ahead of Taylor Trilogy

Amanda Serrano’s pre-fight demands ahead of Saturday’s trilogy bout with Katie Taylor have forced one of the UK’s finest boxers to change her own plans for a potentially life-changing contest, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

Ellie Scotney, who faces Yamilo Mercado on the undercard of the pair’s eagerly-anticipated clash at Madison Square Garden, had arranged to use Mike Bazzel as her cutsman for what promises to be a tough assignment against the WBA title holder.

But Serrano, who has a long association with the Californian, insisted that Bazzel worked “with her and only her” according to a number of well-placed sources. 

That instruction prompted Scotney’s camp to launch a worldwide search for a replacement before eventually settling on fellow Briton Kerry Kayes. 

A former bodybuilder and leading nutritionist, Kayes also boasts an enviable reputation for his cornerwork and was last seen assisting Jack Catterall during his win over Harlem Eubank in Manchester last weekend.

“Kerry got the call and he’s flying out to the States,” one boxing insider told SportsBoom.com. 

“Ellie was due to use the same person to deal with any cuts as Amanda. But that’s not happening, because she (Serrano) insisted that he only worked with her on the show. She didn’t want him doing two corners.”

'SILLY TO BE HONEST'

“It wouldn’t have made any difference to his work and it all seems a bit silly to be honest,” they continued. 

“It’s perfectly normal for people to double up at events like this and, usually, there’s only an issue if the same cutsman or woman works with two people who are up against each other."

“That’s not the case here, though, so it does seem a bit strange. It is what it is.”

“Fortunately, Ellie is chilled about it all and it won’t distract her. After all, Kerry is one of the best in the business, not only in the UK but also across the entire world.”

Scotney, aged 27, will move a step closer towards becoming undisputed super-bantamweight world champion if she defeats Mercado, having retained her IBF, WBO and Ring magazine titles by securing a points decision over Mea Motu in Nottingham earlier this year. 

Mercado, a vastly experienced Mexican, holds the WBC belt while Mayelli Flores Rosquero is in possession of the WBA crown.

EYE WOUND

Scotney sustained a bad gash above her eye during what, despite going to the scorecards, proved a dominant win over Motu. Kayes’ repair-skills could, therefore, prove crucial against Mercado. 

He first rose to prominence as an influential member of Ricky Hatton’s camp; helping his fellow Mancunian reach the pinnacle of the sport despite a sometimes chaotic lifestyle outside of the gym.

“Kerry is brilliant at what he does,” the source said. 

“He knows it inside and out. Personally, I don’t think you could get anyone better and he’s been in and around some of the very next there is.”

Taylor has been undisputed champion in two weight divisions while Serrano is a seven weight champion. Taylor, from Ireland, won their first meeting via split decision before earning a wider verdict when they rematched last November.