MIKAELA MAYER will make the first defence of her WBO welterweight title against the woman she beat to become a two-weight world champion.
The Californian-born 34-year-old meets Britain’s Sandy Ryan at Bleaulive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas on March 29. Their first encounter in September last year ended in a majority decision victory (97-93, 96-94, 95-95). Jack Hirsch, who reported on the fight for Boxing News, scored it 95-95.
For Mayer, 20-2 (5 KOs), her victory added a third world title after winning two at super-featherweight. When the two renew acquaintances in March, however, the build-up will no doubt centre around events before the fight. That night as Ryan left her hotel to make her way to the fight venue, Madison Square Garden Theatre, she had a can of red paint thrown over her.
Tensions in the build-up had already risen weeks earlier when Mayer accused Ryan, 7-2-1 (3 KOs), of stealing her trainer Kay Koroma after the Derby fighter relocated to Mayer’s gym in America.
The day after suffering her first career defeat Ryan posted on X saying, “Still trying to come to terms with what happened last night. I know I shouldn’t have fought after I was attacked leaving my hotel but I couldn’t let them win like that. I was fighting off empty and still felt I won the fight. We have obtained the CCTV and are in contact with the NYPD. Pretty obvious what happened and the truth will be set free shortly. You tried to ruin my career but trust me it’s only just begun.”
Two months later Ryan posted CCTV footage of the incident on X. Mayer denied any involvement in the incident and said she was “shocked” to hear of the attack but refuted any claims her team had anything to do with it. The rivalry between the two has carried on since then with both firing shots at each other via social media.
In today’s announcement for their rematch Mayer said: “I’ve never been one to shy away from challenges. I could have taken my belt and moved on, but it was a highly entertaining fight, and if this is what the fans want, then that’s what I’ll give them.
“I have stayed in the gym and am getting better every day. It will be worse for Sandy this time, but regardless, expect another action-packed fight.”
Mayer’s promoter Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum described the Mayer-Ryan rivalry as “one of the fiercest we’ve seen in years.” Eddie Hearn, who promotes Ryan, said he was “delighted” the 31-year-old was getting another shot at the title.
The former champion has endured a bumpy career and will be hoping it’s third time lucky on American soil after her draw against Jessica McCaskill and the loss to Mayer.
“As crazy as this sounds after what happened last time in New York, I am actually looking forward to returning to the U.S.,” Ryan said. “I’ve had some remarkable, history-making fights here already, so the opportunity to come back and showcase my talent while headlining in the fight capital of the world is amazing.
“This time, I will be fully prepared for whatever comes my way. I’m not making any excuses, but after what happened before the fight last time, I did fight in anger, and it clearly affected my performance. But it was a great fight and did great numbers for ESPN, so that’s why Mayer had to take this rematch. It’s the biggest fight for both of us, and everyone wants to see it again. On March 29, the world will see a focused, determined, and talented fighter in the shape of her life, and I will reclaim my world title.”
On the undercard Brian Norman makes the first defence of his WBO welterweight title against Derrieck Cuevas. While at featherweight Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington faces Jose Enrique Rivas in a WBC final eliminator.
