Fontainebleau in Las Vegas hosts a world title doubleheader this Saturday evening, with a grudge rematch at the head of the card. Mikaela Mayer defends her WBO welterweight title against Sandy Ryan, in a repeat of their September 2024 meeting, which was shrouded in controversy.
Top Rank promote Mayer vs Ryan 2, and Sky Sports televise live in the UK, with the card on ESPN in the USA.
Mayer (20-2, 5 KOs) was a deserved majority decision winner in their New York original meeting, but Ryan (7-2, 3 KOs) was attacked with paint while on her way to the arena, and looked startled by the incident, which she blamed on team Mayer, an accusation that was denied.
Mayer was on her way to dominance of the super featherweight division, as she picked up the IBF and WBO belts, but she was then stunned in October 2022 by Alycia Baumgardner, who took a split decision win in defence of her WBC and IBO crowns.
Mayer rebounded with two wins, but would be defeated again via split decision in a bid for Natasha Jonas’ IBF welterweight title in January 2024 in a contest that she looked like she edged.
Derby-based Ryan won the vacant WBO 147-pound belt in April 2023, but would be held to a draw by Jessica McCaskill when trying to add the WBC and IBO titles five months later.
A March 2024 win over Terri Harper (RTD4) led to the meeting with Mayer, and the American did enough to take the majority nod, with a rematch due to the bad blood a natural.
Prediction: This one has all the ingredients to be an absorbing sequel, but I lean towards Mayer retaining her title, and scoring another win over Ryan, but it will be a close-run affair. Mayer via close points win is the pick for me.
Norman defends against Cuevas
The undercard sees Brian Norman Jr (26-0, 20 KOs) defend the WBO welterweight title, as he takes on Derrieck Cuevas (27-1-1, 19 KOs) of Puerto Rico. Norman won the interim belt in May last year, knocking Giovani Santillan out in ten rounds, and was subsequently upgraded to full champion.
Cuevas was upset over six rounds by Damian Ezequiel Bonelli in December 2020, but has won four times since, all inside schedule. Three wins have come in his homeland, the last a sixth round stoppage of Marlon Aguas in December 2023.
Prediction: Cuevas has been out of the ring for over a year, and hasn’t boxed close to world level. I fancy Norman to retain his title emphatically within the first half of the contest.
Carrington and Johnson back in action
The only other ten-rounder on the card is at featherweight, where Bruce Carrington (14-0, 8 KOs) can maintain his unbeaten start to professional life by being the first to stop Mexico’s Enrique Vivas (25-3, 12 KOs).
SHU YORK CITY 😤
Bruce Carrington remains undefeated 👏 pic.twitter.com/JmUnPTNF95
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) June 9, 2024
In eight round attractions, Delante Johnson (14-0, 6 KOs) will likely be taken the distance at welterweight by Kendo Castaneda (21-8, 9 KOs), and at super lightweight, Emiliano Vargas (12-0, 10 KOs) can win early against Giovannie Gonzalez (20-7-2, 15 KOs).
Four rounders round off the card.
Emmanuel Chance makes his debut, and the bantamweight should get the job done against Miguel Guzman (1-0, 1 KO) on points, and at super featherweight, Dedrick Crocklem (1-0, 1 KO) can outscore Dionne Ruvalcaba (2-1, KO1).
