Natasha Jonas retained her 147-pound title in opposition to Mikaela Mayer on Saturday in Liverpool, England. Barely.
Jonas defeated her American counterpart by a cut up resolution in entrance of her hometown followers at Echo Area. One decide had Mayer profitable, 97-93, however the different two scored it for Jonas, 96-94 and 96-95.
Jonas (15-2-1, 9 KOs) has now received six consecutive fights since she misplaced an in depth resolution to 135-pound champ Katie Taylor in 2021.
“I do know Mikaela Mayer shall be gutted,” Jonas mentioned instantly after her victory. “She is within the high two individuals who I’ve fought. Please use this as motivation to get the title you deserve and change into a two-weight world champion.”
The bout was the firefight many observers anticipated, with each boxers touchdown their share of onerous punches.
Mayer was the busier fighter, throwing 181 extra punches than Jonas. Nonetheless, Jonas was extra correct. Mayer outlanded her solely 149 to 125. That made it troublesome to separate the 2 on the scorecards.
Mayer (19-2, 5 KOs) hopes that Jonas will give her a rematch.
“It’s disappointing, however what am I going to do?” she mentioned. “I simply hope that Tasha would be the stand-up champ that she is and provides me one other shot.”
Jonas, 39, evidently doesn’t plan to participate in two many extra fights. She alluded to retirement in her post-bout feedback.
“Sadly, I can’t be round eternally,” she mentioned. “… That is in all probability my final yr in boxing.”
