Split Decision in Natasha Jonas-Mikaela Mayer World Title Fight
Natasha Jonas (15-2-1, 9 KOs) remains the IBF welterweight champion with a split decision victory over Mikaela Mayer (19-2, 5 KOs).
While one judge had the bout 97-93 for Mayer, the other two saw it 96-94 and 96-95 for Jonas. The fight headlined a BOXXER event at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England. Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Arena carried the fight for those in the United Kingdom. Viewers in the United States could catch the action on ESPN+.
Natasha Jonas Retains World Title Against Mikaela Mayer
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Natasha Jonas Defeats Mayer by Split Decision
Jonas got off to a quick start, being the first to land her shots on her opponent. Mayer found herself chasing the champion around the ring, having success, whenever Jonas was standing right in front of her. The added weight appeared to impact the American as she would lose her balance when getting hit. At the end of round four, a right hand from Mayer sent Jonas back to the ropes.
Many rounds were close, with both fighters doing good work. Mayer’s right hand consistently landed on her opponent, while Jonas worked the body regularly. The Brit showed visible exhaustion as the fight neared the end, something Mayer took advantage of as it allowed her to land flush on “Miss GB.” Swelling also became visible on the eye of Jonas.
At the end of the bout, both appeared confident in having their hand raised. Jonas wound up being the victor, a decision that will cause debate in the days to come. In the end, both fighters put up a great fight regardless of how the judges saw it. With the win, Jonas makes the first successful defence of her world title.
Post-Fight Interview
Natasha Jonas
“It takes two to tango, and I know this girl here, Mikaela Mayer, is going to be absolutely devastated with that result because I’ve been there. It feels like the world is over,” said Jonas in the post-fight interview.
“She is in my top two people I’ve fought. She’s very, very skilled. Her time will come again. She’d beat a lot of the champions that are already here. So please, please, use that as the motivation to go on and get the title you deserve and become a two-weight champion.”
Mikaela Mayer
“I think in the end, you could see I thought I did enough to win,” said Mayer. “I would’ve given her the first round or two, but after that, I feel like outpunched her, landed the cleaner shots. At the end of the day, I think that that fight is worth seeing again. Like she said, one of the toughest fights she had. I think the fans really enjoyed it.“
Undercard Results
Just prior to the main event, Zak Chelli (15-2-1, 7 KOs) won a unanimous decision against Jack Cullen (22-5-1, 10 KOs) in a 12-round super middleweight contest. Scores were 116-112, 116-113 and 115-114. With the win – Chelli is now the Commonwealth and BBBofC British super middleweight champion.
In an eight-round featherweight bout, Karriss Artingstall (6-0, 1 KO) won via points over Lila dos Santos Furtado (9-2, 1 KO). Referee John Latham scored the contest 77-75. Furtado went down from a straight left hand at the end of round one.
Stephen Clarke (1-0, 1 KO) won his professional debut with a TKO over Vasif Mamedov (3-47-5, 0 KOs) in a four-round super middleweight fight. Referee Mark Lyson ended the bout at the 1:53 mark of round three after Mamedov turned his back.
Aaron McKenna (18-0, 9 KOs) won via TKO over late replacement Mickey Ellison (14-7, 5 KOs) in an eight-round 171lbs catchweight clash. Referee Lyson waved off the action at the 2:21 mark of round six. McKenna was originally going to face Linus Udofia, but that clash was cancelled following an injury to Udofia.
Jack Massey (21-2, 12 KOs) needed only 1:57 of the opening round to stop Steve Ntere (8-2, 3 KOs). Referee Latham waved off the six-round cruiserweight fight after Ntere was knocked down following a huge right hand.
Mark Jeffers (17-0, 4 KOs) successfully defended his BBBofC English super middleweight title with a unanimous decision win over Germaine Brown (13-3, 4 KOs). Scores for the 10-round clash were 99-92 and 98-93 (x2).
In a four-round flyweight bout, Mikie Tallon (4-0, 0 KOs) won via points against Adam Yahaya (23-12-2, 12 KOs). Referee Lyson had the fight 40-36. Tallon is managed by Jonas herself.
