LAS VEGAS — The paint isn’t dry, and the rivalry isn’t over.
Two-weight queen Mikaela Mayer will defend her WBO welterweight world title in a rematch in opposition to former champion Sandy Ryan on Saturday, March 29, at Bleaulive Theater, the fully-customizable, 90,000-square-foot theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
The strain between the 2 intensified earlier than their first encounter final September. Mayer claimed Ryan had stolen her coach, whereas Ryan accused Workforce Mayer of orchestrating a pre-fight stunt that noticed Ryan doused with paint exterior of the New York Metropolis struggle lodge. Mayer dethroned Ryan by way of majority choice, however the brushwork on this feud is much from completed.
Within the co-feature, Brian Norman Jr. will make the inaugural protection of his WBO welterweight world championship in opposition to Puerto Rican challenger Derrieck Cuevas.
Rising featherweight phenom Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington will sq. off in opposition to Jose Enrique Vivas in a 10-round WBC remaining eliminator because the featured bout on the ESPN+-streamed undercard.
Mayer-Ryan II and Norman-Cuevas might be broadcast reside on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
Promoted by High Rank, in affiliation with Matchroom Boxing, tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 7, at 10 a.m. PT by way of https://www.fontainebleaulasvegas.com/leisure/top-rank-boxing/.
“The rivalry between Mikaela Mayer and Sandy Ryan is without doubt one of the fiercest we’ve seen lately, and each are decided to place it to relaxation as soon as and for all,” says High Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “Brian Norman Jr. faces a tricky first protection, however I’m assured he’ll rise to the event and show he belongs on the prime. Bruce Carrington is near a world title shot, and this struggle is his likelihood to cement his place in line.”
“I’m delighted that Sandy has a second likelihood in Las Vegas,” says Matchroom Chairman Eddie Hearn. “The rivalry between the pair spilled over in New York, and there’s actually no love misplaced between them. However after they received within the ring at Madison Sq. Backyard, they delivered one of many fights of the yr for 2024.
“Though Mikaela received the nod final time, it was a decide’em struggle with solely a coat of paint to separate them. I’m assured that it is going to be revenge, not repeat, on March 29, and Sandy might be topped a two-time world champion.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome again High Rank for what is about to be one of the crucial anticipated matches of 2025,” says Fontainebleau Las Vegas Senior Vice President of Leisure, Fedor Banuchi. “The Mayer-Ryan title rematch brings a stage of pleasure and anticipation to the resort and additional highlights the resort’s dedication to delivering can’t-miss experiences.”
Mayer (20-2, 5 KOs), a 2016 Olympian, debuted in 2017 and tore by way of the junior light-weight ranks earlier than capturing the IBF and WBO world titles. She got here up brief in a disputed October 2022 break up choice in opposition to WBC champion Alycia Baumgardner however moved as much as light-weight the next April to say the WBC interim crown with a win over Lucy Wildheart. After outpointing Silvia Bortot that September, Mayer returned 4 months later to problem Natasha Jonas for the IBF strap, shedding a detailed break up choice in a toe-to-toe basic. Undeterred, Mayer set her sights on Ryan for the WBO belt and have become a two-division ruler.
“I’ve by no means been one to draw back from challenges. I may have taken my belt and moved on, nevertheless it was a extremely entertaining struggle, and if that is what the followers need, then that’s what I’ll give them,” Mayer mentioned. “I’ve stayed within the fitness center and am getting higher every single day. Will probably be worse for Sandy this time, however regardless, anticipate one other action-packed struggle.”
Ryan (7-2-1, 3 KOs), the preventing delight of Derby, England, turned professional in 2021 after capturing gold on the 2018 Commonwealth Video games and silver on the 2014 World Championships. She avenged her first professional loss to Erica Farias with a decisive unanimous verdict and claimed the vacant WBO welterweight title in April 2023 by outpointing Marie-Pier Houle. A contentious draw with former undisputed champion Jessica McCaskill stalled her hopes at unifying the division, however Ryan rebounded final March with a career-best knockout of Terri Harper. Her championship reign got here to a halt final September in opposition to Mayer in a Struggle of The 12 months candidate.
“As loopy as this sounds after what occurred final time in New York, I’m truly wanting ahead to returning to the U.S.,” Ryan mentioned. “I’ve had some outstanding, history-making fights right here already, so the chance to come back again and showcase my expertise whereas headlining within the struggle capital of the world is superb.
“This time, I might be absolutely ready for no matter comes my approach. I’m not making any excuses, however after what occurred earlier than the struggle final time, I did struggle in anger, and it clearly affected my efficiency. But it surely was a fantastic struggle and did nice numbers for ESPN, in order that’s why Mayer needed to take this rematch. It’s the largest struggle for each of us, and everybody desires to see it once more. On March 29, the world will see a centered, decided, and proficient fighter within the form of her life, and I’ll reclaim my world title.
“I wish to thank my promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom, my supervisor Brian Peters, and Bob Arum for getting the rematch accomplished. Will probably be one other superb struggle for ladies’s boxing and boxing normally, and I sit up for reclaiming my title.”
Norman (26-0, 20 KOs) turned professional in January 2018 and went 11-0 in his first yr. He garnered nationwide consideration in 2020 with a gritty technical choice over Flavio Rodriguez. He adopted it up with a dominant 2021 marketing campaign that noticed him register 4 brutal stoppages. After a year-long layoff, Norman signed a promotional contract with High Rank and went 3-0 in 2023 with choices over Rodrigo Coria, Jesus Perez, and Quinton Randall. He secured the WBO interim welterweight title with a Tenth-round knockout of beforehand undefeated Giovani Santillan final Might. Norman grew to become the group’s full champion after Terence Crawford vacated the belt later that yr.
Norman mentioned, “Combating for a championship belt is each fighter’s dream, so I do know Cuevas is coaching as exhausting as potential for this struggle. He’s a tricky competitor who brings all the pieces he has to win this struggle. That mentioned, because the WBO champion, I can assure a spectacular efficiency come March 29.”
Cuevas (27-1-1, 19 KOs) enters his first world title alternative driving a four-fight knockout streak that started in December 2022 with a second-round demolition of Esneiker Correa. In 2023, he fought thrice in Panama, closing out the yr with a sixth-round TKO in opposition to once-beaten Marlon Aguas in December. The 30-year-old standout will make his eighth look on U.S. soil.
“I’m grateful for the chance to struggle in Las Vegas for a world title,” Cuevas mentioned, “That’s the dream of each fighter. I respect Norman, however on March 29, a brand new champion might be topped.”
Carrington (14-0, 8 KOs), a 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials champion, rose swiftly to say the WBO’s primary contender spot after turning professional in October 2021. The 27-year-old native of Brownsville, Brooklyn, secured 4 victories in 2024, beginning with a highlight-reel fourth-round knockout of Bernard Torres in February, a end that went viral and was featured on SportsCenter’s High 10. In Might, he stopped Brayan De Gracia within the eighth spherical and returned in September to beat a stern problem from Sulaiman Segawa and a majority choice. He capped the yr in November with a one-sided unanimous choice over Dana Coolwell on the undercard of the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson occasion in Arlington, Texas.
Vivas (23-3, 12 KOs), a rugged 30-year-old from Mexico, started his profession with a sensational 17-0 run earlier than struggling his first defeat to Ruben Villa in September 2019. He rebounded with 4 straight wins, highlighted by a 10-round choice over unbeaten Carlos Jackson in July 2020 and an eight-round victory in opposition to Louie Coria in Might 2021. Though he dropped a detailed choice to eventual world title challenger Eduardo Baez the next March and misplaced a unanimous choice to Joet Gonzalez in April 2023, Vivas regained his momentum final February with a first-round TKO over Jonathan Aguilar.
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Government Author, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a ardour for Fight Sports activities and in addition a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s additionally a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.
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