Ellie Hellewell faces career-defining double test
Ellie Hellewell takes on Alisha Lewis in Doncaster this weekend as she prepares for a tilt at a Commonwealth title
Ellie Hellewell has borrowed a phrase tattooed on her coach's back to describe her mindset as she gears up for a Commonwealth title fight.
"Only winners take risks," she states, proudly.
It is a code her trainer, Jason Cunningham, relied on when he was in the ring, collecting honours including British, Commonwealth and European super-bantamweight belts.
The pair share the philosophy that if you don't take a chance, you won't win silverware.
And Rotherham born Ellie is certainly stepping outside her normal comfort zone to take on Matchroom golden girl Tiah Mai Ayton on August 22.
She must go up four pounds from super bantam to featherweight to win the Commonwealth strap.
There are rumours another belt will also be on the line at Bethnal Green, York Hall however that has yet to be confirmed.
First the 26-year-old, who lives in the Conisbrough area, has to come through a tune-up fight at Doncaster Dome on Saturday, against Alisha Lewis.
It should be a useful tick-over bout on the Dave Allen card.
And hopefully will be the start of better things after recent disappointments.
Last September, she was outpointed in a Commonwealth title attempt by Tysie Gallagher.
That was followed by a bout in March which was halted on doctor's advice after an accidental head clash.
Jason said of her latest Commonwealth opportunity: "Ellie will be taking a calculated risk next month - the phrase 'Only winners take risks' is something I have always lived by. Ellie feels the same.
"When I told her about the Tiah fight, she was beaming. It is a prestigious, old-school belt.
"But first we have Alisha and we are certainly not looking over her.
"On Saturday, we want Ellie to box to instructions, get some rounds in, get a good win, and, obviously, avoid injury."
An unexpected loss for the awkward southpaw this weekend could end her chances of facing Ayton, so there is pressure to succeed above and beyond the normal challenge.
But Cunningham, who runs his own gym, at Brodsworth Miners Welfare Legacy Hub, Woodlands, feels she can navigate through to face the Matchroom asset.
"They say Tiah is the real deal and the next best thing but we think this might be a good time to fight her when she is relatively inexperienced.
"Ellie has been in bigger fights and done 10 rounders. She is a good fighter, people will be surprised."
*Doncaster heavyweight Joshua Simms had to pull out of the Allen show because of a hand injury.
SATURDAY'S CARD includes:
- David Allen (26-9-2) Conisbrough v Dan Garber (12-8-0) Bradford, heavyweight.
- Joe Hayden (23-0-0) Conisbrough v Owen Durnan (4-55-2) Sheffield, super welter.
- Billy Jarmolinski (4-0-0) Doncaster v Tracey Webber (0-2-0) Manchester, super bantam.
- Ellie Hellewell (7-1-1) Rotherham/Doncaster v Alisha Lewis (1-6-0) Grimsby, super bantam.
- Edward Hardy (7-0-0) Doncaster v Cesar Ignacio Paredes (18-38-1) Peru, light.
- Kian Hamilton (2-0-0) Doncaster v Michael Mooney (10-130-3) Worcester, super light.
- Elias Sinani (1-0-0) Sheffield v Jacob Marrer (0-19-0), Ireland light.
- Kash Ali (22-3-0) Rotherham v Dylan Courtney (2-31-2) Cornwall, heavy.
- Muheeb Fazeldin (13-1-1) Sheffield v Eliecer Quezada (24-45-4) Nicaragua, super feather.