Natasha Jonas retained the IBF 140-pound title with a hard-fought 10-round break up determination over Mikaela Mayer on Saturday on the Echo Enviornment in her native Liverpool, England.
Jonas (15-2-1, 9 KOs) obtained off to a quick begin, beating Mayer to the punch and maneuvering out of hurt’s means, however the widespread 2012 Olympian needed to stand up to a tough rally from the American down the stretch of the entertaining struggle to win by scores of 96-94 and 96-95. The third decide scored the bout 97-93 for Mayer (19-2, 5 KOs), an completed 2016 Olympian who pressed the nimble southpaw all through the struggle, touchdown straight rights within the first half (sufficient to swell Jonas’ left eye by the top of the bout) and connecting with hooks and physique pictures through the late rounds.
Nevertheless, it was Jonas who landed the telling blows through the first half. She flashed the sooner fingers, the higher timing and superior footwork, repeatedly getting off first whereas making Mayer miss.
“I feel a very good begin, touchdown arduous and correct pictures, obtained me by,” Jonas stated after the bout.
Mayer stepped up her stress and her punch output in Spherical 5, however nonetheless had bother reducing off the ring or protecting Jonas on the ropes. Nevertheless, by Spherical 7, a presumably winded Jonas was extra prepared to face her floor and the 2 veterans battled it out within the heart of the ring.
“We knew it was going to be [a barnburner]. It takes two to tango,” stated Jonas.
“I knew it was going to be a battle, continuous punches,” stated Mayer, who was in a position to press Jonas to the ropes and hold her there throughout Spherical 8. The 33-year-old native of Woodland Hills, California stored the warmth on Jonas within the last two rounds. It was a hotly contested struggle and even in Liverpool, the result was unsure.
“I do know she’s going to be devastated as a result of I’ve been there,” stated Jonas, who dropped a detailed unanimous determination to undisputed light-weight champ Katie Taylor in 2021 earlier than unifying 154-pound belts and profitable the Ring Journal junior middleweight title in 2022.
“She’s within the high two that I’ve fought. I want opponents like her to deliver out my greatest. Please [Mikaela], use this as motivation and go on the market and get your world title.”
Mayer, a former unified Ring Journal junior light-weight champ who misplaced her 130-pound titles through split-decision to Alycia Baumgardner in 2022, was gracious in defeat however maintained that her hand ought to have been raised. She’s motivated for a rematch.
“I feel you could possibly see on the finish [I got the better of Natasha],” stated Mayer. “I believed I did sufficient to win. She gained the primary two rounds, however then I outpunched her and landed the cleaner pictures. The struggle is value seeing once more. I hope Tasha is a stand-up champ and provides me the rematch.”
If it’s going to occur it seems to be prefer it have to be finished this yr. Jonas says she’s not concerned with preventing into her 40s.
“That is in all probability my final yr in boxing,” Jonas instructed the adoring Liverpool crowd.
