Scott Fitzgerald denies raping a woman when an undefeated boxer appears in court

Former Commonwealth Games gold medalist Fitzgerald appeared in Preston County Court on Tuesday morning, speaking only to confirm his name and deny a single rape

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Undefeated British boxer Scott Fitzgerald denied raping a woman when he appeared in court on Tuesday morning.

Fitzgerald is alleged to have raped a woman in April 2020 who cannot be identified for legal reasons. The boxer was summoned to Preston County Court on Tuesday but spoke only to confirm his name and plead not guilty. Judge Richard Gioserano granted him bail on condition that he not contact the unidentified woman. Fitzgerald will stand trial for the alleged rape on March 2 next year.

Fitzgerald turned pro two years after winning gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. He began his pro career by winning nine fights in two years, seven of them by KO. In the two biggest wins of his career, Fitzgerald bested former Commonwealth gold medalist Anthony Fowler and then won the British super welterweight title by defeating Ted Cheeseman in 2019, but relinquished the title the following year.

The 30-year-old had his boxing license suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control in 2020 but was later restored. Fitzgerald has only fought once in almost three years, last May in the third round against Gregory Trenel.

“It’s an incredible feeling,” Fitzgerald said after his win. “There were times when I thought I wouldn’t come back here. Getting back in and coming out with a break is a great feeling. I put a couple of shots out of his head and he smiled at some points.

“I could see he was tough. In the end he didn’t want to throw back and I hit him with a couple of big punches. The body shots hurt him. I think it was the referee’s right decision.