Mikaela Mayer Retains WBO Title with Dominant Win Over Sandy Ryan
Mikaela Mayer Secures Second Victory Over Ryan to Defend WBO Welterweight Crown
Mikaela Mayer proved once again why she is one of the top names in women’s boxing, securing a unanimous decision victory over Sandy Ryan to successfully defend her WBO welterweight title in Las Vegas.
In what was an intense and highly competitive rematch, the 34-year-old American outworked Ryan over 10 action-packed rounds, showing superior skill, punch output, and bodywork to claim victory on the scorecards.
Despite a late surge from the Briton, who landed some heavy shots down the stretch, Mayer’s dominance in the middle rounds ensured she took the win with scores of 97-93, 97-93, and 98-92.
“I thought it was close. I thought I was doing well in the beginning, but then I got into a fight,” Mayer admitted post-fight.
The result marks Mayer’s 21st win in 23 professional bouts and sets the stage for an even bigger showdown—a potential undisputed fight against Lauren Price, the WBA, WBC, and IBF champion.
A Tactical Battle That Turned into a War
Mikaela Mayer and Sandy Ryan raise their arms
The rematch between Mayer and Ryan was more than just a fight—it was a battle fueled by bad blood. Their first encounter last September ended in a Mayer victory, but was overshadowed by a bizarre incident in which Ryan was hit by a can of red paint before heading to the venue.
This time, Ryan looked relaxed and composed, making her way to the ring to Bob Marley’s “One Love”. Mayer, as always, was focused and determined, ready to put an emphatic end to the rivalry.
From the opening bell, both fighters engaged in a high-paced tactical battle. Mayer doubled up on her jab, keeping Ryan at range, while the Briton countered with well-timed hooks and crisp right hands.
As the fight progressed, Mayer found her rhythm. She upped her work rate, landing sharp combinations in the fourth round, and took full control in the fifth and sixth, using a mix of uppercuts, body shots, and fast flurries to frustrate Ryan.
At ringside, boxing stars Claressa Shields, Katie Taylor, Terence Crawford, and Shakur Stevenson watched as Mayer’s momentum grew.
Ryan’s corner, led by Mayer’s former coach Kay Koroma, urged her to step up the pace. “Come on, wake up,” Koroma shouted, knowing his fighter needed to shift gears.
Ryan’s Late Surge Not Enough to Overturn Mayer’s Lead
With Mayer firmly ahead on the scorecards, it became clear that Ryan would need something spectacular in the final rounds to turn the fight around.
To her credit, the 31-year-old Briton dug deep. She landed a huge right hand and a sharp uppercut in the eighth, causing swelling around Mayer’s eye—an injury that worsened after an accidental clash of heads.
Blood streamed down Mayer’s face, but she refused to slow down. The ninth round turned into an all-out war, with both fighters trading power punches in the center of the ring.
Despite Ryan’s late efforts, Mayer remained composed, finishing strong in the tenth round and raising her hands in victory at the final bell.
As expected, there was no sportsmanlike embrace between the two rivals—Ryan shrugged off the result while Mayer celebrated.
What’s Next? Mayer Eyes Undisputed Clash with Lauren Price
After settling her feud with Ryan, Mikaela Mayer wasted no time calling out Lauren Price.
“Now it’s time for me to move on and go for undisputed,” she said in her post-fight interview.
The Welsh champion Price recently unified the division, defeating Natasha Jonas earlier this month to claim the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles. A showdown between Mayer and Price would be the biggest fight in the women’s welterweight division.
Given Mayer’s popularity in the UK, where she fought four consecutive bouts between 2022 and 2024, a potential fight against Price could take place either in Cardiff or in the U.S..
What’s Next for Sandy Ryan?
While Ryan has now lost twice to Mayer, her standing in the division remains strong.
Over the past two years, she has:
✅ Drawn against former undisputed champion Jessica McCaskill
✅ Defeated three-weight world champion Terri Harper
✅ Gone the distance in two close fights with Mayer
At just 31, Ryan still has time to bounce back. She acknowledged her defeat but remained optimistic about her future.
“I’m going to sit down with my team and we’ll have a talk,” she said post-fight.
Mayer vs. Price: A Historic Undisputed Showdown on the Horizon?
With Mikaela Mayer proving once again why she is one of the best in the division, all signs point to a massive undisputed fight against Lauren Price.
For Mayer, it’s an opportunity to make history. For Ryan, it’s a time for reflection and a chance to regroup.
One thing is certain—the women’s welterweight division has never been more competitive, and the best is yet to come.
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