MIKAELA MAYER became a three-division world champion in the early hours of this morning, outpointing Mary Spencer for the WBC, WBO and WBA super-welterweight straps.
Mayer, 22-2 (5 KOs), seemed the far more dynamic combatant at the Montreal Casino, Canada, so light on her feet that it appeared as though she was gliding on a block of ice.
Indeed, a one-sided opener saw the 35-year-old land seamlessly on the largely static Spencer, 10-3 (6 KOs), who came back to her corner and was urged to ‘push her [Mayer’s] ass back’ and, if necessary, chuck in a few elbows.
Those tactics only really came into effect in the third round, though, as the then-WBA champion began to find crumbs of success on the inside, often capitalising on the complacency of Mayer.
An improved spell of footwork then saw Spencer evade many of her opponent’s wild swings, and even spring back with the odd counter, with Mayer being forced to trudge through two far less convincing frames.
Yet despite that, the American’s greater activity soon allowed her to claim a dominant sixth round where, now looking increasingly more comfortable in the pocket, their previously competitive encounter suddenly took a sharp turn.
With Spencer suffering from fatigue, and the visitor maintaining her defensive shape, it was not long, then, before the latter began to march her opponent down and land right hands galore.
Mayer even came remarkably close to flooring the wounded Canadian in the ninth round, but ultimately did enough to secure scorecards of 100-90 and 98-92, twice.
The verdict of judge Patrick Morley was, in truth, a little too wide, especially when considering the industrious work of Spencer in rounds four and five.
But still, Mayer was nonetheless announced as the rightful victor and, as a result, the sharp technician now holds world titles in two divisions.
Speaking in her post-fight interview, the Californian was sure to not give anything away while, at the same time, admitting that 147lbs is her more natural weight.
If that is the case, then surely an undisputed clash with unified welterweight champion Lauren Price is the most obvious next step? Once again, we shall wait and see if that matchup actually materialises.
