Two of the biggest names in women’s boxing will face off in the middle of the ring on Saturday, January 20 at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool. Natasha Jonas, the reigning two-weight world champion, will defend her IBF welterweight championship against Mikaela Mayer.
Natasha Jonas (14-2-1, 9 KOs) from England, moved down a weight class to become a two-weight champion after winning the IBF title at 147 pounds and comes into the battle having won three world titles at super-welterweight.
Mikaela Mayer (19-1, 5 KOs) from the United States, prior to the fight declared that if she wins, they will square off again in a rematch and that she is prepared to take the spotlight in Jonas’ hometown.
“This is a big fight, you definitely have that big fight feel but these are the fights that I want to be in. I want the name Natasha Jonas, I want to be in her hometown, I want to be in a huge arena like the M&S Bank Arena, I want the spotlight because I feel like that brings out the best in me,” said Mayer in media reports.
“It [opens the door] of a rematch, contractually, so there is that but one fight at a time. I have got to beat Natasha Jonas twice. That is my main focus,” she added.
Mayer, who has competed in the 130lbs class in the past, has stepped up to the 147lbs class for this fight. She says the change has had a great impact on her health, helping her to enjoy boxing again and getting rid of severe calorie deficits.
“I am a lot more natural at this weight. I think a lot of people are taken back by how big I look but what they don’t understand is it took a big toll on my body to keep cutting down to an unnatural weight at 130,” said Mayer.
“This is the best I have ever felt and we are close to the weight already. I am just excited to get in the ring and show what the new weight does to me,” she added.
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