Mikaela Mayer will return to the ring this Saturday in Manchester, England, with the previous 130 lb titleholder set for what’s formally a 140 lb struggle, however along with her eyes set on going up even additional.
Particularly, Mayer (18-1, 5 KO) says she’s taking purpose at present IBF welterweight titlist Natasha Jonas.
“Natasha Jonas is on the prime of my listing proper now, prime of my hit listing. I’ve a ton of respect for her, she’s an incredible champion, she’s carried out quite a bit for the game,” Mayer mentioned at an open exercise.
“I believe we’re each on the time in our careers the place we’re in search of these large fights. I’d like to get that struggle carried out, hopefully subsequent.”
The 39-year-old Jonas (14-2-1, 9 KO) fell brief in title bids at 130 and 135 again in 2020-21, going to a controversial draw with Terri Harper after which a loss to Katie Taylor, respectively, however has discovered success after transferring up. She first gained three world titles at 154 lbs, then moved down in July to beat Kandi Wyatt for the vacant IBF belt at 147.
Mayer, 33, misplaced a detailed and debated resolution towards Alycia Baumgardner that totally unified the 130 lb division in Oct. 2022, and moved as much as 135 in April, beating Lucy Wildheart for the interim WBC title.
However 135 and even 140 don’t appear to be Mayer’s objective, and he or she’s mentioned lately that she believes 147 is about to develop into a sizzling division for ladies’s boxing, with 140 lb undisputed champion Chantelle Cameron a reputation prone to transfer up in weight after her November rematch with Katie Taylor.
Mikaela is taking the transfer in steps, with no main rush to totally struggle at 147 as she strikes up in weight. She’ll face Silvia Bortot (11-2-1, 3 KO), a 38-year-old Italian who’s, being frank, not anticipated to current a lot problem in Manchester.
“I really feel nice (on the weight). This can be a studying course of for me as a result of I’m going up. I felt I wanted to go up for a very long time,” Mayer mentioned.
“Now it’s time for me to take what I’ve been coaching within the fitness center and put it into the ring. It’s an enormous distinction. You are able to do issues within the fitness center, however doing it on struggle night time is an entire different ability. I all the time wish to present out and present some issues that I’ve been engaged on.”
