Jonas vs. Mayer: Blood, Guts & Controversy in Liverpool

Jonas vs. Mayer: Blood, Guts & Controversy in Liverpool

Mikaela Mayer would have woken up this morning feeling again that the boxing gods are firmly against her. Mayer and Natasha Jonas left everything in that Liverpool ring on Saturday night in their fight for the IBF world welterweight title. A fight that should and will grace any list of the greatest female fights of all time.

Jonas will perhaps feel a little relieved. Mayer more than a touch aggrieved. But while both will have different opinions about the fight, they can at least agree that they shared a ring together for twenty brutal savage minutes that will not easily be forgotten. In many ways, it is sad that there had to be a loser. But boxing rarely does sentiment. Both Jonas and Mayer understand that better than most.

Those controversial scorecards of 96-94, 93-97, and 96-95 will be debated heavily, certainly by the Mayer camp. There was little doubt from their side that they had won. A clear case of daylight robbery, they firmly believe. The online comments overwhelmingly agree with them. But Mayer will know that nothing will change. She has been here before, remember. Arguably, she should still be unbeaten. Many will argue that point. The Baumgardner fight was a poor decision. On multiple viewings, I still fail to see how Mayer wasn’t given the win. Last night was a much closer fight. Certainly, a draw wouldn’t have been that much of a stretch. The Mayer camp thinks it is much worse than that.

“I thought I did enough to win. I would have given her the first round or two. But after that, I feel like I outpunched her. I landed the cleaner shots. At the end of the day, I think that this fight is worth seeing again.” Mayer said post-fight.

Jonas was as respectful as ever after a fight that will go down as the signature win on her resume to date.

“I know she is going to be absolutely devastated with the result because I’ve been there. It feels like the world is over. She is on my top two people that I’ve fought. She is very skilled. Her time will come again. She will beat a lot of the champions. Please use that as motivation to become a two-weight world champion.”

Mayer will be down. But she’s far from out. Far from it. Her team will push quite rightly for the rematch. But maybe a fight with Lauren Price is her way back in.

Boxxer is planning another all-female card in April, again at the O2 Arena in London. They are pushing for Price to fight Jonas. But the former Olympian brings nothing for the Liverpool fighter at this stage of her career. Jonas might only have two fights left. I don’t see Price being on her radar without holding any of the world welterweight baubles. Jonas wants the big fights. I don’t think Price fits that criteria. But money talks. An offer too good to turn down might just tempt Jonas.

Jessica McCaskill was mentioned at the post-fight press conference. But McCaskill will defend her unified titles in April against Ivana Habazin, so Jonas will likely need another fight prior to any planned unification fight with McCaskill. That could open the door for Mayer. But could we see a Mikaela Mayer Lauren Price fight in London? There are still options out there for Mayer. Controversy sells. There just might be more money available for Jonas to run it back with Mayer. Either way, that planned all-female card should include Mayer.

Jonas and Mayer just fight. All the online comments and what the judges saw are out of their control. But I do wonder once the euphoria of victory has died down, if those comments will hurt the classy and proud Liverpool fighter, and she will push for the rematch herself to remove all doubt. It might just be the biggest fight out there for her in the immediate future.

Photo Credit: Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer