Natasha Jonas vs. Mikaela Mayer | Sky Sports - 20 January 2024

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

Two-weight world champion Natasha Jonas will defend her IBF welterweight world title against former unified world champion Mikaela Mayer in a landmark night for women’s boxing on Saturday, Jan. 20 at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England, live on ESPN+ in the U.S. and Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland.

Jonas (14-2-1, 9 KOs) will be making the first defense of the IBF crown she claimed with an emphatic stoppage win over Canadian Kandi Wyatt earlier this year, having previously unified the WBC, WBO and IBF junior middleweight world titles.

Standing in the opposite corner will be U.S. star Mayer (19-1, 5 KOs), a fellow Olympian and the former IBF, WBO junior lightweight world champion. The Los Angeles native was one of the stars of BOXXER’s historic women’s night last year, and after capturing the WBC interim lightweight world title earlier this year, Mayer will be moving up in weight once again.

Newly crowned British champion Jack Cullen also returns to action in Liverpool, defending his Lonsdale strap against former foe Zak Chelli. Cullen (22-4-1, 10 KOs) scored a memorable third-round TKO win over Mark Heffron in September to claim the British and Commonwealth titles. ‘Little Leaver’s Meat Cleaver’ will now square off against former English Champion Chelli (14-2-1, 7 KOs) in a repeat of their all-action 2020 contest that ended in a draw.

“I’m so excited to be fighting back in Liverpool in my first headline show and in the biggest fight of my career so far,” Jonas said. “It’s my fifth world title fight with BOXXER, in my backyard, and I’m ready for it. It’s Mikaela Mayer, she stretches above and beyond the UK shores. ‘Miss GB’ versus ‘Miss USA’ and may the best woman win!”

Mayer said, “These are the types of matchups boxing needs. I am feeling better than ever at my new weight and confident that 2024 is when I take it all back.”

BOXXER Founder and CEO, Ben Shalom, said: "2024 promises to be a monumental year for BOXXER and Sky Sports, and we’re thrilled to kick things off with another massive night for women’s boxing as Natasha Jonas defends her world title against Mikaela Mayer in a matchup set to showcase the pinnacle of the sport. Natasha and Mikaela are two fantastic athletes - both former Olympians and world champions - from either side of the Atlantic, ready to put it all on the line to secure their legacy.”

“Mikaela Mayer is beloved in the UK, and we are thrilled that she will get an opportunity to become a two-weight champion against a sensational fighter in Natasha Jonas,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “These are two of the best pound-for-pound females in boxing."

[Ruthless-RKO]

This probably be the end for Jonas.

Does she win this?

[Bigdogsnose]

Mayer fairly one dimensional but pretty effective with it. Think she'll take a comfortable points win. Jonas isnt great like. Thought Mayer had a case for winning againt Baumgarder, although her cissy fit was uncalled for. Defo take hombrage with shalom describing Mayer as 'beloved in the uk'!! We dont even love our home grown world champs, yet alone a bang average female US boxer.

[SeanBrennan]

I just can't really get too interested in the women's boxing, appreciate there's power differentials but the quality just isn't there in the main. Not a misogynistic post, it just doesn't interest me. And the really skilled one Clarissa is really not powerful. Good luck to Jonas though, definitely another Indian summer in terms of late success and she's stuck with Gallagher. She's a decent pundit too.

[jameswilson]

We will all have Mayer winning by 2 or 3 points and it will be a draw or split decision win for Jonas.

Mayer will then go from pre fight saying how she loves the UK to post fight saying we are yellow teethed limey home town decision scumbags.

[JamesPhilips]

We will all have Mayer winning by 2 or 3 points and it will be a draw or split decision win for Jonas.

Mayer will then go from pre fight saying how she loves the UK to post fight saying we are yellow teethed limey home town decision scumbags.

Lol

[Ruthless-RKO]

[SeanBrennan]

thanks going to watch this.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release | Aaron McKenna vs. Linus Udofia Clash Added

Aaron McKenna versus Linus Udofia is the latest contest confirmed for the fight card on Saturday, January 20th at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and ESPN+ in the USA.

The middleweight rivals meet in a special bet365 Wildcard contest for McKenna’s WBC International title on the undercard of Natasha Jonas’ IBF welterweight title defense against former unified world champion Mikaela Mayer.

McKenna claimed the WBC International strap with a unanimous points victory over Uisma Lima on June 16th at London’s York Hall. Now 17-0, the 24-year-old is considered one of the division’s most exciting young talents. To continue his upward career trajectory, the ‘Silencer’ must now overcome his toughest test as he takes on former English champion and British title challenger Udofia.

With victories over Tyler Denny and John Harding Jr, and a hard-fought split decision loss to Denzel Bentley for the British middleweight title, Udofia has established himself as one of the fighters at the top of a stacked domestic division. The 30-year-old from Luton returns to title action following a defeat to Kieron Conway for the WBA Intercontinental Title knowing a victory over the undefeated McKenna can reignite his career and set the stage for a successful 2024.

“A huge night of boxing in Liverpool just got even bigger,” said BOXXER founder and CEO Ben Shalom. “McKenna vs Udofia is an excellent addition to an already stacked card. It’s a fascinating contest. McKenna has answered every question asked of him so far in his undefeated career. Udofia has tasted defeat but operated at a higher level and will look to use that experience to his advantage in what promises to be a real pick ‘em fight.”

Newly crowned British and Commonwealth Champion Jack Cullen returns to action in Liverpool defending his belts against former foe Zak Chelli. Cullen scored a memorable third-round TKO win over Mark Heffron in September to claim the British and Commonwealth titles and will square off against former English champion Chelli in a repeat of their all-action 2020 contest that ended in a draw.

Karriss Artingstall is back in business following a destructive second-round KO win over Vanessa Bradford on October 21st at York Hall. The 2020 Olympic medallist takes on Lila dos Santos Furtado as she looks to continue her climb up the featherweight ranks.

Mark Jeffers defends his English and Commonwealth Silver super middleweight titles against Germaine Brown. Jeffers claimed the English and Commonwealth Silver Titles with points win over Zak Chelli after accepting a short notice fight last year. The undefeated Chorley boxer makes his first defense against Brown, who will be aiming to recapture the English Title he held in 2022.

Former IBO world cruiserweight champion Jack Massey, who took Joseph Parker the distance in a ten-round heavyweight contest in Manchester last year, returns to the ring and the 200lbs limit as he looks to start the New Year with a victory in Liverpool.

[jameswilson]

Jack Massey also added to the bill. Down on boxrec as a 6 rounder which will be disappointing if it's the case.

[jameswilson]

Just looked at the heights on boxrec as Mayer was absolutely towering over Jonas at the face off.

Unless Mayer had high heels on I think boxrec has a 1 inch height difference wrong.

[pilight]

Jonas is listed at 5'8 but she's closer to 5'6 or maybe 5'5

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight week!!

[skanksta]

Mayer seems naturally bigger AND taller. Weight divs don't matter as much in the women's game, I spose..

[Ruthless-RKO]

Jonas, Mayer Both Within Welterweight Limit For IBF Title Fight In Liverpool

Natasha Jonas and Mikaela Mayer have comfortably grown into the welterweight division.

Making weight was never going to be a concern, as both were under the limit for their Sky Sports/ESPN+ main event from M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England. Jonas was 146 pounds for the first defense of her IBF welterweight title in her hometown. Mayer was 146.3 pounds in her bid to become a two-division champ.

Jonas (14-2-1, 9KOs) made a three-division jump to win her first major title in a February 2022 second-round knockout of Chris Namus to claim the WBO junior middleweight title. The feat came after the 2012 Olympian for Great Britain came up just short in title bids versus then-unbeaten WBC junior lightweight beltholder Terri Harper and undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor.

Two more titles were collected at junior middleweight in a 2022 Fighter of the Year-worthy campaign for Jonas. All three of her fights at the weight came well below the divisional limit, which made for an easy transition to welterweight.

Jonas was 146.3 pounds in an eighth-round knockout of Kandi Wyatt to win the IBF welterweight title last July 1 in Manchester. Her weight on Friday was her lightest since moving up for her two-division title run.

Mayer (19-1, 5KOs) has now hit a career-heaviest weight for the third straight time.

All have come after she left behind the junior lightweight division, where she previously held the IBF and WBO titles. Her reign ended in a bitter ten-round, split decision defeat to Alycia Baumgardner in October 2022.

Two wins have followed, one each at lightweight and just above the junior welterweight limit. Saturday will mark the fourth division in as many fights for Mayer. All four have come in the U.K. for the Los Angeles-born boxer who represented the U.S. in the 2016 Rio Olympics and now lives and trains in Vegas.

Below are the weights for the full undercard.

Jack Cullen (22-4-1, 10KOs), Little Lever, Lancashire, 167.3 pounds vs. Zak Chelli (14-2-1, 7KOs), Fulham, London, 166.3 pounds—12 rounds, super middleweight

Karriss Artingstall (5-0, 1KO), Macclesfield, Cheshire, 124.3 pounds vs. Lila dos Santos Furtado (9-1, 1KO), Sao Paulo, Brazil, 124 pounds—8 rounds, featherweight

Aaron McKenna (17-0, 8KOs), Smithborough, Ireland, 168 pounds vs. Mickey Ellison (14-6, 5KOs), Darwen, Lancashire, 171 pounds—10 rounds, super middleweight

Mark Jeffers (16-0, 4KOs), Chorley, Lancashire, 167 pounds vs. Germaine Brown (13-2, 4KOs), Kingston, London, 167 pounds—10 rounds, super middleweight

Jack Massey (20-2, 11KOs), Cheshire, 204 pounds vs. Steve Eloundou Ntere (8-1, 3KOs), Asse, Belgium, 201 pounds—6 rounds, cruiserweight

Mikie Tallon (3-0, 0KOs), Everton, Liverpool, 111 pounds vs. Adamu Yahaya Madenge (23-11-2, 12KOs), Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania, 113 pounds—4 rounds, flyweight

Steve Clark (pro debut), Liverpool, 160 pounds vs. Vasif Mamedov, Southampton via Perm, Russia 166.3 pounds—4 rounds, super middleweight

[handsofstone]

I seen Mayer's not happy about Jonas wearing a mans protector, said it covers up her whole stomach, she's got a point, BBBC should listen to her

[Ruthless-RKO]

Mickey Ellison will fight Aaron McKenna now.

[pilight]

Mayer unimpressive again

[Ruthless-RKO]

Mayer unimpressive again

Doesn’t mean she deserved to lose

[Perseus]

Fair or not..........right or wrong...............Karen will never get the benefit of the doubt on the scorecards.
Same goes for any other boxer who earns that name.........and Mikaela has absolutely earned that name and the stigma that comes with it.
Plenty of female boxers out there..........but there is only one that consistently gets referred to as Karen.