Natasha Jonas edges out Mikaela Mayer on split decision to retain IBF welterweight world title in Liverpool | Boxing News

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Natasha Jonas edged out Mikaela Mayer in an amazing battle for the IBF welterweight world title on the M&S Financial institution Area in Liverpool.

A break up choice went to Jonas. One choose scored it broadly to Mayer, 97-93. However the different two had it to Jonas on a narrower margin, 96-94 and 96-95.

Mayer, preventing for a world title for the primary time since her bitter unification defeat to Alycia Baumgardner, was determined to win a serious championship as soon as once more.

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Jonas soaked up sturdy assaults from Mayer

Hometown favorite Jonas, defending the IBF welterweight crown, was already a two-weight champion, however she was trying to burnish her legacy and safe essentially the most significant victory of her profession to this point. Each knew too that victory and that championship win was a ticket to extra main fights too.

Jane Sofa, the trailblazer for girls’s boxing within the UK and now a Corridor of Fame inductee, fittingly processed Jonas’ title belt to the ring.

Welcomed to the ring by an amazing ovation, Jonas made a optimistic begin, ripping a spiteful mixture physique pictures into Mayer’s midriff. Though Mayer was stepping as much as welterweight for the primary time, she was taller and labored from vary, a left hook establishing her cross.

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Natasha Jonas acquired a break up choice win

Within the second spherical a tough left hook struck Jonas, but it surely was wide-swinging proper that compelled the Briton to again up a step and blink. These have been sturdy assaults from the American and Jonas needed to backpedal once more when Mayer drove a tough proper into her abdomen.

Utilizing her footwork, Jonas moved backward and forward, attempting to get herself away from the sudden hazard. She hammered mid vary hooks again into Mayer, simply to fend off the American earlier than the top of the spherical.

Mayer was boxing a southpaw for the primary time in a her skilled profession, however she was adapting to it and threatening all of the whereas.

BEN SHALOM BOXXER LIVERPOOL FIGHT WEEK.M&S BANK ARENA LIVERPOOL 20/01/2024 .PIC LAWRENCE LUSTIG/BOXXER.(PICS FREE FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY).IBF WORLD WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP.NATASHA JONAS v MIKAELA MAYER
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Mayer delivered an amazing struggle with a excessive work charge

A Mayer proper hook related solidly within the subsequent spherical too. However Jonas responded to that, timing her lead hook, hitting it to the pinnacle and screwing the best up into the physique.

Jonas uncorked an explosive left hook, however Mayer nonetheless got here on, establishing a agency lead left that curved around the champion’s defences.

The Briton opened up with an amazing assault to start out the fifth spherical, the group’s noise swelling behind these strikes. Mayer although was undaunted and acquired herself again on the entrance foot. Jonas although caught her once more with a brief cross. Mayer drilled in three punches to the pinnacle simply on the shut of the spherical.

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Jonas lands a tough physique shot

The American continued to work busily and the 2 traded punches out within the centre of the ring. She snagged Jonas on the top of a agency cross. Jonas although snapped in a jab as Mayer got here ahead. She sank her again hand left into Mayer’s physique, however the American managed to keep up the stress.

Mayer landed an extended one-two and, heartened, pressed on. A cracking Jonas proper hook although slammed into her challenger. Jonas hacked a left hook down off the ropes, however Mayer nonetheless managed to jolt her. She lined up proper crosses, these exhausting punches bursting by the champion’s guard.

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John Dennen and Andy Scott look again on the bout, dubbing it an early contender for struggle of the 12 months.

She appeared to harm Mayer, momentarily, within the ninth spherical. The gang sensed it as effectively and one more roar resounded by the sector. The champion nonetheless had taken punishment too. Her left eye had swollen up and Mayer’s punches may fly by.

Courageous to the end, they let their arms go, crashing punches touchdown nonetheless proper as much as the ultimate bell.

Rematch warranted?

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Mayer was annoyed with the result and instantly known as for a rematch

Mayer although felt that the choice ought to have gone her approach. “I believe you can see on the finish, I assumed I did sufficient to win. I’d have given her the primary spherical or two, however after that I really feel like I outpunched her and landed the cleaner pictures,” the American stated.

“On the finish of the day I believe that struggle is price seeing once more,” she added. “I did not have a rematch clause on my facet however I am hoping we are able to get this struggle accomplished once more for the followers, if they need it.”

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Jonas felt her opponent introduced one of the best out of her in what was a vastly entertaining foremost occasion in Liverpool.

Jonas responded: “Something is feasible. The fights that I assumed successful tonight would preserve the doorways open for, clearly for me with so many restricted fights left, they’re those that I am searching for, but when it is one thing that the followers need, I am all the time blissful to oblige.

“It takes two to tango. I do know this lady right here goes to be completely devastated with that outcome as a result of I have been there and it feels just like the world is over,” the champion continued.

“She is in my high two individuals I’ve fought, she’s a really expert operator, her time will come once more. She beats a number of the champions which are already right here.

“So please use that as motivation to go on and get the title that you simply deserve and grow to be a two-weight world champion.”

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