Mikaela Mayer: The Five Fights To Make

Mikaela Mayer: The Five Fights To Make

Mikaela Mayer is seemingly a fighter reborn. The two impressive victories over Sandy Ryan have revitalised a career that was somewhat flagging not so long ago. Two years in the boxing wilderness left the former unified world super-featherweight champion trying to unlock doors that wouldn’t quite open for her.

But those wins over Ryan have changed everything for her. Mayer is now enjoying a second run as a world champion, and the WBO welterweight bauble holder believes she is getting better with age and is convinced that she has a possible three years left in the sport. A tantalising proposition that could lead Mayer to the biggest fights of her career. But who could be in the opposite corner over the next three years?

Lauren Price:

Lauren Price is the obvious next opponent for Mayer. Price holds the WBC, WBA, and IBF world welterweight titles, an undisputed clash between the pair is of interest to both. But this could be one of those fights that might have to wait. Initial talks took place, and a summer date was tentatively agreed. But that initial deal appears to have fallen by the wayside due to the usual back-and-forth boxing politics. Time passed. The date was lost.

A fight between Mayer and Price is further complicated by their respective promoters currently having no confirmed broadcasting rights for the latter part of the year. The Sky and Boxxer partnership will end in the coming weeks, and there has been no confirmation of a renewal. Couple that with Top Rank and ESPN also apparently going their separate ways, a deal to secure a fight between Mayer and Price seems remote, at least in the short term. With no definitive TV dates, both fighters are currently in limbo.

Natasha Jonas:

Natasha Jonas is now a promotional free agent. The defeat Jonas suffered at the hands of Lauren Price in March at the Royal Albert Hall was the last fight on her Boxxer deal. Retirement is still a distinct possibility, but Jonas has said a rematch with Mayer would be one of only two fights that would make her fight again.

Jonas and Mayer served up a truly memorable fight early in 2024. Jonas retained her IBF world welterweight title by a highly-controversial split decision. Many thought Mayer deserved to have her hand raised in Liverpool, and a rematch would be an easy sell. With Jonas having no promotional ties, it would also be an easy fight to make. However, until Top Rank announces a new broadcasting deal, Mayer might have to wait for a firm fight date, unless a rival promoter steps in with an offer.

Chantelle Cameron:

The former undisputed world super-lightweight champion Chantelle Cameron recently signed with Jake Paul and his Most Valuable Promotions. The hook-up with Paul and MVP could open the door for a fight with Mayer at some point in the next twelve months. With opportunities limited at super-lightweight, Cameron could try her luck at 147. Both Mayer and Cameron have expressed an interest in fighting each other previously, and the Jake Paul dollar could make it a lucrative match-up down the line.

Alycia Baumgardner:

Mayer and Alycia Baumgardner have history. Probably the understatement of any year. Baumgardner took away the unbeaten record of Mayer in 2022 in a bitterly contested split decision at the O2 Arena in London. It’s a beyond-heated rivalry that most definitely has the look of unfinished business. Money left on the table, as they say. Baumgardner, another recent MVP signing, looks certain to leave the super-featherweight ranks behind in the not-too-distant future, and surely she and her new promotional home will see the obvious value in Baumgardner and Mayer running it back.

Claressa Shields:

This could be a fight that happens later rather than sooner, but the prospect of Mayer and Claressa Shields fighting each other ticks many boxes. Both are masters of the verbals, and you sense a fight between the pair can’t fail to deliver. Shields is currently fighting at heavyweight, but the really big fights for Shields surely lie in the lower weight divisions. If Shields decides to move back to super-welterweight, then that very much brings Mayer into the equation.

Photo Credit: Top Rank & Boxxer