Sandy Ryan: Revenge & Redemption in Sheffield

Sandy Ryan: Revenge & Redemption in Sheffield

Sandy Ryan was a different fighter. And we got a different result.

The former two-weight world champion Erica Anabella Farias made Ryan work for her win, but the Derby fighter got revenge and her redemption last night in Sheffield.

I strongly favoured Ryan to reverse the loss she suffered in Nottingham earlier this year, but Farias yet again pushed Ryan hard, and the fight was much closer than I anticipated. This time Ryan was more focused and she looked in much better shape for the rematch. In truth, she needed to be.

Ryan (4-1) controlled most of the earlier rounds, keeping the fight at range, and she looked set for a much easier night’s work than last time out. But from ringside, I had Farias edging three rounds on the spin from round 5 onwards and was more than in the fight after 7 rounds. But Ryan, who seemed to be letting the fight drift away from her a little, switched back on and sealed her win with a good finish to the fight to edge the fight back in her favour. Both fighters lifted their arms in celebration at the final bell. Ryan did so with a little more conviction.

The judges favoured Ryan by scores of 96-94, 96-94 and a too-wide 98-92. This observer had Ryan up 7-3 in rounds, but I was seemingly in the minority giving the opening round to Ryan. But however you score it, the margin is irrelevant somewhat. Ryan won.

Ryan deserves immense credit for taking the rematch so soon, and the pressure was high for her. Farias came to repeat and pushed Ryan hard once again. But the difference in mindset and tactics enabled Ryan to have her hand raised after 10 tough, but developing rounds.

Chantelle Cameron was mentioned, to no great surprise, but at this stage in their respective careers, Cameron would appear to have a little too much for her rival. A few more fights down the road it might be different. The nature of her sport moves the fighters on quickly, but Team Ryan would be well advised to sit and wait and get a few more learning fights like this. They will serve her well in the long run. Cameron is at her peak, and Ryan is heading into hers. She has time.

The American Mary McGee would tick many boxers. McGee a more natural light-welterweight than Farias, would give Ryan what she needs in preparation for a fight down the road with Cameron.

Cameron, the WBC and IBF champion is likely to fight Jessica McCaskill for undisputed status later this year, so the immediate future for both is elsewhere.

Ryan entered the rematch with Farias with all the pressure on her shoulders, it wasn’t quite a must-win fight. But for Ryan, it probably felt like it. The win gets the show back on the road, but again we saw that for all the undoubted talent and potential, Ryan still lacks for experience. There is no need to rush her, the two fights with Farias should be a constant reminder of that.

Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing