Could 140 & Terri Harper Be Next For Mikaela Mayer?

Could 140 & Terri Harper Be Next For Mikaela Mayer?

It’s been just over a week since Mikaela Mayer suffered the third defeat of her career to Chantelle Cameron. Mayer lost a unanimous points decision to Cameron in their much-anticipated world super-welterweight unification showdown in Birmingham. Mayer is already looking at what’s potentially next for her.

Mayer is hoping to be back out again in December or January. The American wants to make a quick turnaround, and the only question is where and who.

Cameron and Mayer had rematch clauses, and both initially indicated that a second meeting would be next. But in the days that followed, Cameron and Claressa Shields were seemingly moving towards fighting each other. Cameron described talks between the relevant teams as advanced. Time will tell if that ‘superfight’ gets over the line.

Nothing has changed for Mayer. The three-division world champion told me less than forty-eight hours after her fight with Cameron, I want to honour the rematch and fight Chantelle again,” Mayer said. “I want Chantelle next. Let’s finish what we started.”

But Mayer knows there are always moving parts in boxing, and is keeping her options open. “But if she doesn’t want to fight me and fight Claressa, I would obviously try to get that Lauren Price fight. I will leave that up to my team. But it will either be Chantelle Cameron or Lauren Price next.”

Fight news is apparently imminent for Price. The unified world welterweight champion has also been chasing a fight with Shields. But that seems unlikely, at least for her next fight. Shields and Price look to be moving in different directions, at least for now. If Price is fighting in the coming months, the timeline appears to rule out Mayer getting her long-awaited undisputed showdown with Price. If so, Mayer will likely have to look elsewhere for her next opponent.

Mayer still holds the WBO 147-pound title she won off Sandy Ryan, and there is always the chance that Mayer could defend her belt while she waits for the Cameron rematch. But without any obvious worthwhile opposition, the 36-year-old might look to test herself in new waters. And to rekindle an old rivalry.

Katie Taylor ended her incredible career on Saturday night at Croke Park. A unanimous points decision over Flora Pili allowed Taylor to leave the sport the undisputed world super-lightweight champion. But the subsequent retirement means all the 140-pound baubles are now vacant. Mayer, already a three-division world champion, might fancy trying to win a world title in a fourth weight class. A division where an old rival is currently residing.

Terri Harper and Mayer were at one time world super-featherweight champions. And big rivals. A major unification showdown was within touching distance until Alycia Baumgardner stopped Harper in Sheffield in 2021. And then everything changed.

Mayer lost on points to Baumgardner the following year and moved up the weights. Harper also moved through the weights, including a successful run at 154. But Harper eventually dropped back down to lightweight to win her third world title. After her defeat to Caroline Dubois earlier this year, Harper moved up to 140, where she is now chasing a world title in a fourth weight division. Mayer and Harper kept missing each other as they moved around the weights. Circumstances could see them finally align.

Harper and Mayer went on completely different paths. But could that now change? Harper won impressively last weekend in Birmingham, and will surely be in line to fight for one of those vacant belts at super-lightweight. Without a suitable dance partner elsewhere, Mayer might seek a fresh challenge and another world title. That could finally push the old rivals back together for a fight that would be five years in the making. Stranger things have happened. I always thought that a fight between Mayer and Harper was the one that got away.

Back in 2021, Mayer told FightPost. “When I am posting about Terri, it’s just building up the fight and the rivalry. Boxing is entertainment at the end of the day, and we need rivalries. The fans want to see rivalries, and that’s a great way to start one.”

It never happened when they were both simultaneously world champions at 130. Mayer was with Top Rank. Harper was signed to Matchroom. Being in different promotional companies complicated matters somewhat. Doesn’t it always? Now they are both with Most Valuable Promotions. If Mayer and Harper want to revisit what they once had, there are now no obvious obstacles.

Make no mistake, the preference for Mikaela Mayer is a rematch with Chantelle Cameron. Failing that, Mayer wants Lauren Price. But if those doors, at least in the short term, are slammed shut, Mayer could look at super-lightweight and Terri Harper for her next dance. For both, it should tick enough boxes.

Photo Credit: Most Valuable Promotions