Cotton’s brave stand is the real story, not the weigh-in clanger

Ebonie Cotton…showed real heart against Molly McCann on Saturday

IT says much about the media circus surrounding today’s game that Ebonie Cotton’s brave stand against Molly McCann has been eclipsed by headlines over her weigh-in wardrobe malfunction.

It’s not something I – a reporter who began covering boxing in 1975 – is comfortable with.

Cotton, a former model from Rowley Regis, possesses undeniable assets, however, and cannot be blamed for using them to her advantage.

She is not just a pretty face. On Saturday night at Birmingham’s BP Pulse Live Arena, super-bantam Cotton showed grit to ignore the blood spilling down her face and make MMA star McCann battle for her victory.

She even took two rounds from the Liverpool favourite, referee Ryan Churchill scoring 58-56 after six fast-paced rounds.

Cotton, taking part in her second pro contest, was far, far better than I expected her to be.

The fast-paced action on Saturday night should be the story. After scanning today’s social media headlines about the boxers, I’ve concluded it is not.

Instead, the focus is on the fashion faux pas at the scales. I’m not sure that’s particularly good for a sport watched by all ages.

For those who spent the weekend in a cave, I’ll sum-up the situation. Cotton, wearing orange lingerie that left little to the imagination, inadvertently exposed her nipple.

That was the “wardrobe malfunction”. Such was the skimpy nature of Ebonie’s wardrobe, a “malfunction” appeared likely.

McCann, in tracksuits bottoms, turned away and laughed in embarrassment.

But “Meatball Molly” had a point when she told iFL TV: “If a fella came out in a thong, what would you do at the weigh-in.

“I think there needs to be a bit of humility and respect for older men and older women. We spent so long knocking the door down for gender equality in sport. I just felt, ‘oh, love’, I didn’t know where to look.

She added: “Horses for courses – a woman has to make her way in this life and find her money.”

Speaking to iFL TV, Cotton appeared to have few regrets over the viral moment: “Why not weigh in like I did? I’m 100 per cent me. I wanted to weigh in like that because I look good, look great — and why wouldn’t I want to show it off? Live on DAZN my nipple was out… you’re welcome, world.”

On Saturday, Cotton showed she’s not merely boxing eye-candy. She’s tough and can fight, which McCann acknowledged: “She just ate everything and kept coming forward. I learned a lot of pro boxing today.”

That’s what I want to remember Cotton for.

She has the pride and grit. What a shame they’ve been overshadowed by the props.