Mikaela Mayer: “I have no problem going to Ireland to fight Katie Taylor. I wouldn’t make the negotiations difficult.”

Mikaela Mayer: “I have no problem going to Ireland to fight Katie Taylor. I wouldn’t make the negotiations difficult.”

Even in her darkest hour, Mikaela Mayer had thoughts of one day fighting Katie Taylor.

It was the morning after. A sombre, deserted hotel foyer in October 2022. A desolate Mayer had just suffered that gut-wrenching and highly debatable loss to her bitter rival, Alycia Baumgardner. This was a different Mikaela Mayer. As she labelled it, the period of grief was in its embryonic stages. A broken fighter trying to make sense of what had just happened only a few hours previously. A questionable points decision had taken so much away from her. The unbeaten record was no more. The unified world super-featherweight titles she once proudly owned were now in the hands of her fellow American.

But even at her lowest, Mayer still had thoughts of what might come. Katie Taylor was on her mind pre-fight. A win over Baumgardner would surely have put Mayer on a collision course with the then-undisputed world lightweight champion. But the night before had changed her entire future.

It was an awkward, clumsy conversation I had with Mayer that Sunday morning. The tears that had flowed freely in the early hours had largely gone, but Mayer was still somewhat fragile. “I won the fight. I didn’t lose that fight.” Thoughts of the night before still lingering. A hard sport often carries even harder words.

Mayer tried to push the words out once more, but perhaps they lacked the old conviction. A fighter unsure of what lay ahead. Maybe forgetting that this wasn’t an on-the-record chat, Mayer was still trying to sell a fight. “I want Katie Taylor,” she optimistically said. But I suspect, at that moment in time, even she thought that her dream fight with Katie Taylor was now probably lost forever.

It took time. And plenty of it. But Mikaela Mayer eventually found her old self again. That old brashness returned. Mayer eventually found world title success again also. But it took nearly two years to do so. A frustrating period in the wilderness. Doors slammed firmly shut. High risk, low reward. But Mayer persisted and found what she needed last September. That hard-earned victory over Sandy Ryan earned Mayer a world title at a second weight. It also earned Mayer leverage, and she could finally take back control of her career. But the move up the weights was pushing her even further away from the one fight that would truly cement her legacy. But just maybe, that fight could now be in reach for her.

Taylor closed out her trilogy with Amanda Serrano this past weekend in New York. It might have lacked the volume and the drama of their first two fights, but for any potential opponents, it could come with much reward. It was a rare fight for Taylor that was relatively easy on the body, and it could convince her that she does have another fight or two left in her. At 39, Taylor might well decide enough is enough and simply walk away and enjoy the rest of her life without boxing. But the nature of her third straight win over Serrano gives hope that she will fight again. Crucially for Mayer, with Taylor, theoretically, now only seven pounds away, she is, at the very least, in the conversation.

Chantelle Cameron is an obvious choice of opponent. Two fights and one win apiece, it does look like unfinished business. Cameron is now aligned with Jake Paul and his Most Valuable Promotions, and MVP will undoubtedly do all they can to land that third fight with Taylor; you suspect even Mayer wouldn’t begrudge Cameron her chance of redemption. But Taylor seems somewhat reluctant to entertain another showdown with the only fighter that has ever beaten her as a professional. But if Paul offers enough money, and maybe one last dance in Ireland, it might be enough to tempt Taylor. Time will tell.

But if Taylor and her inner circle want to go elsewhere for any future fight, Mikaela Mayer could finally be in the right place at the right time.

The reigning WBO welterweight champion of the world has already reignited her desire to share a ring with Taylor. Mayer has suggested either a fight at super-lightweight, where Taylor currently holds that precious undisputed status, or a fight at 147, giving Taylor the opportunity to win a world title in a third weight division. It could even be made at 140, allowing Taylor to defend her super-lightweight baubles, and maybe Mayer putting her WBO welterweight title on the line also. However, it could potentially play out, a fight between Katie Taylor and Mikaela Mayer offers much intrigue.

“I have no problem going to Ireland to fight Katie Taylor. I wouldn’t make the negotiations difficult,” Mayer told FightPost. “I’ve crossed borders before. But I also realise that at this stage in Katie’s career, she can pick her fights and call the shots.”

“But I always thought that I would fight Katie at some point,” Mayer added. “Maybe I stayed at 130 for too long, and I missed my chance of fighting her at 135. It would be disappointing to end my career without making that fight happen, but with the position women’s boxing is now in, I still have plenty of great competition.

“But if Katie decides to continue to fight on, she’s going to need some credible opposition. After the run she’s had, going backwards and fighting somebody with little or no name wouldn’t do her much service. She has a handful of names to pick from, and I get that. But I think the fans have hoped for a Taylor vs. Mayer fight as well, and I know it would get people excited.”

It is the fight that Mayer has always wanted, a fight that she always believed that she would win. The passing of time hasn’t changed anything. “I’ve had the privilege of watching Katie my entire career. She was on top when I first put on the gloves, and she still is. While only Chantelle Cameron has been able to defeat her, I believe my style not only makes for an exciting fan fan-friendly fight, but it would also be a big challenge for her. Katie has never shied away from a challenge, and neither have I.”

Mikaela Mayer was a broken fighter in October 2022. The London air carried many things that Sunday morning. A little more of an autumn chill about it. But even then, just a few hours removed from a devastating setback, thoughts of sharing a ring with Taylor were still prominent. Mayer might need a little luck to have her wish granted. Taylor has to fight on, of course, and there are plenty of willing players in the Katie Taylor sweepstake if she does decide to chase more history. But Mayer has many credentials. It’s also a fresh challenge for Taylor, with the added motivation of that world title in a third weight division.

Ireland holds no fears for the brash American. The heavy boos that would undoubtedly come her way would be embraced. Taylor deserves at least one more night on home soil. It could even be her farewell dance. Mayer has no problems accommodating her on that score, and she could, in truth, sell the fight on her own. Mayer plays a good heel, but equally, there is obvious respect for Taylor.

Mikaela Mayer understands the situation. As she says, Katie Taylor calls the shots and, in simple terms, she will fight who she wants to fight. But if the call does come her way, Mayer will answer, and it could be a relatively easy fight to get signed, sealed, and delivered.