Teofimo Lopez’s Decision Paves the Way for Intriguing Women’s World Title Fight

Following Teofimo Lopez’s decision not to fight in September, it has been confirmed that WBO women’s welterweight champion Sandy Ryan (7-1-1, 3 KOs will defend her title against former unified junior lightweight champion Mikaela Mayer (19-2, 5 KOs). The title fight will be the main event of the ESPN card on Sept.27 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Sandy Ryan vs. Mikaela Mayer Set to Star in Main Event

Both Fighters Ready for Challenge

With Ryan-Mayer set as the main event, we will also see the talented featherweight contender Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington face Sulaiman Segawa and the up-and-coming Puerto Rican junior middleweight Xander Zayas will take on Damian Sosa.

Top Rank chairman Bob Arum reflected on the making of Ryan-Mayer and said: “Mikaela Mayer always wants to fight the best, and Sandy Ryan is an elite welterweight. These are the two of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, and the winner will stake her claim as the preeminent 147-pounder.”

Read More: Sandy Ryan Stops Terri Harper

Top Rank always had the September 27 date locked in whether Lopez fought or not, and according to a report by Dan Rafael in his Fight Freaks Unite substack, there were talks about him moving up to welterweight to fight Brian Norman Jr. A source close to Fight Freaks Unite revealed Lopez did not want to fight on a Friday card as he perceives a Saturday card as a bigger deal. The new main event between the Brit and American also has some added intrigue with Kay Koroma, a longtime Mayer assistant trainer now being in the corner with Ryan.

There had been rumours the 2016 U.S. Olympian would face Natasha Jonas in a rematch after losing to the Liverpudlian fighter via a disputed split decision. The talks for that rematch have seemingly stalled.

Ryan and Mayer React to Fight Confirmation

“After months of negotiations in every direction, I am thrilled that my team has pulled through for me and gotten me this fight,” Mayer said. She continued: “As several dates fell through in the U.K., the last thing I expected was for my manager to call with an offer that ticked every box. My team not only secured me another title fight against the opponent I asked for, but I’m coming back to the U.S. with my Top Rank and ESPN family. I loved fighting in the U.K. over the past two years, but I have genuinely missed fighting in America. I’m ready to take Sandy Ryan’s WBO belt.”

Read More: Alycia Baumgardner Scores Dramatic Decision Over Mayer

Ryan will be making the second defence of her WBO strap, and has expressed her excitement about the challenge of facing the American: “I’m excited to be returning to America and particularly fighting at MSG.” The champion continued: “It’s the Mecca of Boxing and a venue that every champion dreams of competing in. I feel privileged to have been given this opportunity, and I want to thank Matchroom and Top Rank for coming together to make the fight. It’s the perfect moment in my career, and I’m looking forward to successfully defending my world title. I can promise that on a level playing field,nobody is taking this belt from me.”

The Brit added some spice to the fight and said: “Mayer has had an awful lot to say about me and this fight, and I’m sure she will continue to do so, but I’m an athlete and a professional. I will let my boxing do my talking and I will shine in that ring.”