Mikaela Mayer claims the WBO welterweight title with a majority decision win over Sandy Ryan at Madison Square Garden, marking her second world title in a different weight class.
BollywoodFever: Mikaela Mayer emerged victorious on Friday, securing the WBO welterweight title in a majority decision win over Sandy Ryan at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. The judges scored the fight 95-95, 97-93, and 96-94 in favor of Mayer, who now holds a world title in a second weight class.
This was Mayer’s second attempt at winning a 147-pound title, following a split decision loss to IBF champion Natasha Jonas in January. Ryan, defending her title for the third time, almost didn’t make it to the fight after being splashed with red paint by an unidentified person on her way to the arena. Despite the disruption, Ryan remained focused and determined to defend her belt.
The Fight Breakdown
Mayer, a 2016 U.S. Olympian from Los Angeles, started the fight strong, landing a powerful right hand that rocked Ryan early on. Making the most of her slight reach advantage, Mayer controlled the pace of the first round by moving to her left and evading Ryan’s attempts to close the distance.
Ryan turned up the pressure in the third round, attacking Mayer’s body and cutting off her movement by stepping to her right. Despite Ryan’s efforts, Mayer continued to catch the judges’ attention with well-timed combinations.
In the sixth round, Ryan landed a solid left hook that sent Mayer’s head snapping back, shifting the momentum slightly. Mayer responded by attempting to land her own shots but found herself taking more damage than anticipated.
By the seventh round, Mayer seemed to tire, allowing Ryan to gain an advantage in the eighth. However, Mayer finished strong, landing uppercuts and earning enough points to secure the decision.
Mayer’s Redemption
This win boosts Mayer’s career after previous losses to Alycia Baumgardner and Natasha Jonas in title fights. Mayer, who had held the WBO and IBF titles at 130 pounds, made three successful defenses before losing her belt to Baumgardner via split decision.
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