Mikaela Mayer Responds to Baseless Accusations: Manager Calls for Investigation

On Friday, September 27, Mikaela Mayer (20-2, 5 KOs) defeated Sandy Ryan (7-2-1, 3 KOs) to become the new WBO welterweight champion at Madison Square Garden’s Theater in New York City, NY. The main event of the Top Rank in association with Matchroom Boxing provided us plenty of action and a possible contender for women’s fight of the year, as both went back and forth throughout. Controversy transpired before the fight as Ryan was attacked outside her hotel as she was leaving for the fight – with an as yet unknown assailant throwing red paint over her. The British fighter has released a further statement, which Team Mayer has now responded to.

Mikaela Mayer’s Team Responds to Accusations from Sandy Ryan and Calls for Investigation

Condemnation of the Paint Assault Incident from Team Mayer

Ryan’s statement today reads: “The NYPD have confirmed that they are investigating a number of incidents (including the paint attack) that occurred throughout the day of my fight in New York last Friday. Due to the nature of these incidents and additional threatening, anonymous messages sent to members of my team I was advised to leave New York for my own safety as early as possible and I am now back in the UK.”

The rest of Ryan’s statement seemingly insinuates the perpetrator has come from team Mayer, a claim refuted in a statement released by Mayer’s manager George Ruiz, which reads: “I’m compelled to respond to your latest round of baseless accusations. Let me be clear: no one associated with Team Mayer had anything to do with the paint assault on you or the leaflets and the alleged anonymous threatening messages you say you received.”

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The statement continued: “Mikaela and Team Mayer immediately condemned the paint assault. We encourage a thorough and detailed investigation by the NYPD of the incident that includes a careful review of any hotel CCTV and street camera footage. Mikaela and Team Mayer want the perpetrator(s) found, caught and punished to the fullest extent of the law.”

“Further accusations against Mikaela and Team Mayer will only diminish your extraordinary performance in the ring that night and make you look like you’re making excuses for the loss. You’d be better served by looking at your own corner.”

Eddie Hearn Demands Rematch

Eddie Hearn as the promoter of Ryan has had his say and what he thinks should happen: “One, she should get the immediate rematch. I can’t believe she’s had to go through with that fight having had all that happen to her,” he said on The Stomping Ground.

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Hearn added: “You’ve got to protect these fighters.”