Former super-featherweight world champion Mikaela Mayer has urged Natasha Jonas to give her a rematch and hopes the Brit "feels the pressure" to agree; "I know I'm a threat to the welterweight division," declares Mayer after Jonas' split decision victory in Liverpool
Tuesday 23 January 2024 06:15, UK
Mikaela Mayer has reiterated her calls for a rematch with Natasha Jonas and claimed the British boxer's "legacy depends on it".
IBF champion Jonas and former super-featherweight world champion Mayer delivered an instant classic in an action-packed bout in Liverpool on Saturday, with many at ringside believing the American had done enough to win.
One judge scored it 97-93 in Mayer's favour, but the other two gave it to Jonas - by margins of 96-95 and 96-95 - to give her a split decision victory.
Mayer, who unlike Jonas did not have a rematch clause in the event of a defeat, said after the fight that a "rematch is warranted" and on Monday returned to the theme on social media.
In a post to her fans on Instagram, Mayer said: "It's highly frustrating to leave empty handed when I felt I did more than enough to solidify a win on Saturday.
"I know a lot of you stand with me on this so thank you for having my back. I'm hoping Natasha feels the pressure and does what a stand up Champion would do in this situation…and that's agree to a rematch.
"I deserve it, the fans deserve it and I believe her legacy depends on it."
Mayer added: "I'll take a couple weeks to enjoy some down time and hopefully be back with some good news for you guys."
"Regardless, I know I'm a threat to the welterweight division and promise to give you more great fights in the near future."
Speaking immediately after Saturday's thrilling fight, the 39-year-old Jonas said of a potential rematch: "The fights that I thought winning tonight would keep the doors open for, obviously for me with so many limited fights left, they're the ones that I'm looking for.
"But if it's something that the fans want, I'm always happy to oblige."
Before becoming a world champion - at light-middleweight - for the first time in 2022, Jonas had been cruelly denied by close decisions in title fights against Terri Harper and Katie Taylor.
The former Olympian said she knew how Mayer would be feeling after being on the wrong end of a tight call and urged the American to use the defeat as motivation in the future.
"I know this girl here is going to be absolutely devastated with that result because I've been there and it feels like the world is over," Jonas said.
"She is in my top two people I've fought, she's a very skilled operator, her time will come again. She beats a lot of the champions that are already here.
"So please use that as motivation to go on and get the title that you deserve and become a two-weight world champion."
Sky Sports Boxing expert Johnny Nelson said the fight between Natasha Jonas and Mikaela Mayer was "a story of two halves" and he expected the bout to end in a draw.
"The fight itself was so honest, Jonas and Mayer left their heart and soul in the ring and they dug deep," said Nelson, speaking to Sky Sports News.
"I get where people are coming from [about the rematch]. Before the fight, I said Jonas needed to start fast. Unfortunately, people forget that because Mayer finished so strong towards the back end of the fight.
"From round eight, Natasha looked 39 years old and that doesn't seem old, but in the world of boxing you slow down a little bit and your pace isn't the same against someone who is younger than you.
"It was a story of two halves and I expected a draw."
In December, Mayer called for the fight to be contested over 12 three-minute rounds, the same distance as men's championship fights, instead of 10 two-minute rounds.
"The result would’ve been different if there were three-minute rounds," Nelson said.
"I think Mikaela would have had it because of her pace and stamina going through. At this stage in Natasha’s life, it wouldn’t have suited her.
"I've always advocated for three-minute rounds. The true skill, experience and class of boxing isn’t shown in a short space of two minutes because in a longer period, it's a case of testing your gut, fitness and mental strength."
Nelson added: "I would love to see a rematch but unfortunately the chances are slim to none. In the ring afterwards, Jonas said it is probably her last year as a fighter and she will go for the most lucrative option put in front of her.
"In the dressing room, I said to Mayer, I know you'll be heartbroken and gutted but I know you will be a world champion. She is very dominant, articulate and reads the game well."
