Mikaela Mayer defeats Sandy Ryan in the rematch for the WBO welterweight world title in Las Vegas.
Mikaela Mayer remains the undisputed queen of the welterweight division! In a highly anticipated rematch, the US-American secured a unanimous points victory over Sandy Ryan and successfully defended her WBO world title at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas. The event was promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank.
In their first duel last September in New York, Mayer (21-2, 5 knockouts) won against Ryan (7-3-1, 3 knockouts) by controversial majority decision. This time she left no doubt and dominated the Brit with clear boxing. The judges Steve Weisfeld (97-93), Benoit Roussel (97-93) and Max DeLuca (98-92) all scored in favor of the defending champion.
After four even rounds, in which ESPN saw Mayer slightly in the lead at 39-37, the former Olympian took command from the sixth round onwards. With a mixture of physical combinations and fast hands, she put Ryan under increasing pressure. While Ryan often hit with single hands, Mayer responded with series of left and right hits.
In the ninth round, Ryan landed a big right uppercut. But Mayer immediately countered with a right and left hook combination. In the final tenth round, Ryan tried everything to force a knockout, but Mayer followed up with clear combinations and put her opponent under pressure. A left-right double strike at the start of the round signaled Mayer’s dominance, and in the end a well-deserved title defence was secured.
Brian Norman Jr. impresses with knockout win over Cuevas
In the co-main event, Brian Norman Jr. provided another highlight of the evening. The unbeaten American (27-0, 21 knockouts) defended his WBO welterweight title with a spectacular knockout in round three against Derrieck Cuevas (27-2-1, 19 knockouts).
Norman Jr. had already rung the Puerto Rican with a left hook in the second round. In round three, he brought him down with a lightning-fast combination of left hooks and straight rights. Referee Thomas Taylor stopped the fight shortly before the bell and declared Norman Jr. the winner by T.K.O.