No disgrace for Ellie Hellewell against rising star

In the end, Rotherham's Ellie Hellewell couldn't stall the inexorable rise towards world status of young sharpshooter Tiah-Mai Ayton.

It had always been a long shot, if the bookies were to be believed.

And former Wickersley Comprehensive pupil did indeed come up short against one of Matchroom's rising stars.

But there is no disgrace in losing to a force of nature with so much talent, speed, patience and heavy hands.

Ellie recognised that after her Matchroom debut, which was brought to an end by her corner after six rounds.

"No excuses. This is why I box, to fight the best," she said.

She emerged from the fight, disappointed, bruised around an eye, but knowing that after a few tweaks in her style, she could once again compete for meaningful titles.

Ellie, a Conisbrough-based fighter, formerly of Bramley and Brinsworth, had lost a shot at the Commonwealth title at super bantamweight 11 months ago.

On Saturday night, she lost her chance at the multi-coloured belt again, only at featherweight, this time.

She had stayed in the race in the early rounds, and countered well on occasions against a busier, confident opponent.

But round five was gruelling and coach Jason Cunningham warned her he'd withdraw her unless she offered more and became more mobile.

That didn't happen and Cunningham rightly erred on the side of caution after round six, effectively throwing in the towel.

Southpaw Ellie (26) shook her head and looked disconsolate - months of hard training had gone into this - but Cunningham is a veteran whose first concern is the health of his fighters.

His fighter's defence had become porous. The pressure was almost overwhelming. It was time.

Later, Cunningham explained: "She had some success but I was happy with my call. There’s no need to be a brave coach...save her for another day.

"That’s boxing and she’ll definitely come again. She’s fit and healthy and that’s what counts."

Tiah, who has just turned 20 years old, said her first professional title "meant the world" to her.

She said that while Ellie had been "a game fighter" she had caught her repeatedly with clean shots.

"When she was hurt she was still throwing. But I did say I would stop her and I did."

Promoter Eddie Hearn described his fighter's win as a "stroll in the park."

The World Boxing Under-19 Championships winner in 2024 will now move towards professional global title contention, he said.

Meanwhile, Ellie, who made her debut into the pro ranks in 2022 at the Magna Centre, can rest up and plot a new course in a career which is still only 11-fights old.