It proved to be repeat and not revenge at Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, as Mikaela Mayer defended her WBO welterweight title against Sandy Ryan, taking a unanimous decision win in their rematch on Saturday.
Mayer (21-2, 5 KOs) and Ryan (7-3-1, 3 KOs) met in New York last September, where bad blood was in evidence. Ryan was attacked with paint while on her way to the arena, and there was also arguments surrounding the Brit acquiring Mayer’s former trainer, but the American did enough to take a majority decision win.
Ryan scored an early success in the opening round as both tried to establish their jabs, causing a swelling under the American’s eye with a series of decent right hands.
Ryan’s right landed again in the second, but she had to take one herself and hold as the champion grew into the contest.
Mayer also landed with a sharp combination in round four, and her jab was now coming into play, with the visitor’s face showing signs of damage in the fifth, although the champion was caught by a left hand late in the round.
The 34-year-old’s sheer volume of punches were becoming increasingly difficult for Ryan to stop, and she only really stemmed the tide in round seven, working well on the counter.
A nasty clash of heads saw Mayer cut in the eighth, and Ryan’s resurgence continued as she poured the pressure on.
Mayer made no mistake in the final frame, emptying the tank to ensure that she kept hold of her title.
She did just that, with two scores of 97-93 and a third at 98-92 seeing her retain, and she called out unified WBC, WBA and IBF world champion, Lauren Price in the aftermath for an undisputed clash.
Norman destroys Cuevas
The undercard saw Brian Norman Jr (27-0, 21 KOs) defend his WBO welterweight title, as he took out Derrieck Cuevas of Puerto Rico in just three rounds.
A short, sharp combination had Cuevas (27-2-1, 19 KOs) on the deck in the third, and he looked unsteady.
With the 30-year-old refusing to walk towards the referee, the official wisely called a halt to proceedings.
Carrington halts Vivas
At featherweight, Bruce Carrington defended his WBO Intercontinental, and NABF titles, by becoming the first boxer to stop Mexico’s Enrique Vivas, achieving the feat in just three rounds.
Vivas (23-4, 12 KOs) was down in the second, and the fight was stopped a round later, with Carrington (15-0, 9 KOs) dishing out a two-fisted hammering. The clash was a an eliminator for the WBC title held by Stephen Fulton.
DOWN GOES VIVAS 😤
Shu Shu is not playing around! pic.twitter.com/UAFQ8JJFIt
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) March 30, 2025
Remaining Undercard
In eight round attractions, Delante Johnson (15-0, 7 KOs) took a fifth round stoppage win at welterweight against Kendo Castaneda (21-9, 9 KOs), and at super lightweight, Emiliano Vargas (13-0, 11 KOs) needed just two rounds to get the job done against Giovannie Gonzalez (20-8-2, 15 KOs).
EL GENERAL UNLEASHED 🤯@EmilianoFVargas took care of business in the second round! pic.twitter.com/P4dXBbDbxf
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) March 30, 2025
In four rounders, Emmanuel Chance (1-0) made his debut, and the bantamweight won all available rounds against Miguel Guzman (1-1, 1 KO).
At super featherweight, Dedrick Crocklem (2-0, 2 KOs) took out Dionne Ruvalcaba (2-2, 1 KO) inside the first round.
