Mikaela Mayer: “I’m definitely fighting in March, so we are going to get something done. But it won’t be in the UK.”

Mikaela Mayer: “I’m definitely fighting in March, so we are going to get something done. But it won’t be in the UK.”

It was a year that started with frustration and more for Mikaela Mayer. A visit to Liverpool in January to challenge Natasha Jonas for her IBF world welterweight title ended in disappointment. An early fight-of-the-year contender that was a real privilege to be ringside for. Many in press row, felt Mayer had done enough to take away that IBF bauble from the hometown fighter. But the plaudits and the sympathy that followed, couldn’t change anything. It was another split-decision reversal on away soil for Mayer.

But Mayer didn’t leave the UK without hope. The level of performance that she served up against Jonas, and the controversy over the scoring, kept Mayer firmly in line for more big fights. Jonas and Mayer tried desperately hard to get the rematch over the line. Both fighters wanted it, but despite their best efforts, they had to move on without each other.

Mayer eventually landed another crack at a world title. Sandy Ryan accepted a Top Rank offer in September to defend her WBO welterweight title against Mayer. The Jonas/Mayer fight was some fight, Ryan and Mayer was even better. A titanic back-and-forth war in New York. Another classic to add the Mikaela Mayer collection. But this time, Mayer was the fighter who had her hand raised. A thoroughly deserved victory for the American. There might have been controversy prior, but there was nothing controversial about Mayer winning.

After an extended period of celebration, thoughts now turn to what’s next for Mayer. Offers have been made. A shortlist of quality and intrigue. “I’m definitely fighting in March, so we are going to get something done,” Mayer says of when she will make the first defence of her WBO world title. But it won’t be in the UK, and it won’t be on that all-female Boxer card.”

Mayer only wants the marquee names and the big fights.

“At this stage in my career, I don’t want to take no-name fights. I want to take risks, I don’t just want to sit here and protect the belts. It feels good to have that world title belt again, but now I have to hold onto it. This is not an easy division. Every fight I have will be a competitive fight. But that’s ok, that’s what I welcome. At this stage in my career, I wouldn’t want anything less than that. Unfortunately, the other world champions are tied up. You’ve just seen the announcement that Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price will fight in March. So, in the meantime, I think we will try and make the rematch with Sandy Ryan.”

Ryan forms part of that aforementioned shortlist. Mayer and Ryan gave us one of the greatest female fights of all time. Bitter rivals with a seemingly never-ending feud. Nobody will complain if they do indeed run it back.

“Last time I heard, Sandy wanted the fight in the UK, and she wanted a rematch clause, Mayer told FightPost. “But I am standing firm that the fight is in the US, and that I get the rematch clause, and she doesn’t. When I fought Tasha, she was the champion, and she had the rematch clause, and I didn’t. So that’s just the way it goes. Beggars can’t be choosers. If she wants the rematch, I am prepared to give it to her because that’s the kind of fighter that I am. If the fans want the rematch, then I want it. But Sandy can’t demand things to all be on her terms. If she does, we will just walk away and find someone else.”

If the Ryan rematch does get over the line, and the signs are good on that front, it will be the first rematch in the professional career of Mikaela Mayer. Both might see it as unfinished business after everything that went on in September. There is every chance it could even top what we got last time. With Jonas and Price fighting for three world titles at the Royal Albert Hall in March, and if Mayer repeats what she did three months ago, we could see the American fighting for undisputed status before 2025 ends.

Photo Credit: Top Rank