Mayerlin Rivas Draws With Romero; Unification With Ellie Scotney Now An Option
After retaining the title against challenger Nazarena Romero (13-0-1, 7KO), WBA super bantamweight champion Mayerlin Rivas (17-4-2, 11KO) could be on the verge of unification against newly crowned IBF champion Ellie Scotney (7-0).
Rivas was making the second defense of the title against the undefeated, hard-hitting Argentinian. Romero’s power came into play early as she dropped the Venezuelan champion in the third round.
Showing the heart of a champion, Rivas got up and continued to fight hard. In round five, Romero suffered a severe laceration on the left eyelid from a headbutt, sending the fight to the judges. The fight was declared a draw. One judge had it even (47-47), one had it 50-44 Romero, and the third had 48-46 Rivas. Happy about retaining the title, Rivas took to social media to thank all the fans.
A UNIFICATION WITH ELLIE SCOTNEY COULD BE NEXT
Ever since signing with Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn, Rivas has maintained a desire to unify at super bantamweight. A unification with WBC champion Yamileth Mercado was seen as a possibility.
Now, she could target newly crowned IBF champion Ellie Scotney. On June 10, Scotney captured the title after dethroning amateur rival Cherneka Johnson. In the post-fight interview, Hearn spoke about Scotney targeting the other champions.
“It’s got to be undisputed. She has to go for the other champions . . . she must now target all the other world champions.”
The first step toward undisputed is unification, and considering both champions fight under the same umbrella, this should be an easy fight to make.
