Sandy Ryan vs Mikaela Mayer – Results & Post-Fight Report

Mikaela Mayer became the new WBO welterweight champion inside Madison Square Garden in New York, as she took a close majority decision win to dethrone Sandy Ryan in the Big Apple.

Derby native Ryan (7-2-1, KO3) won the vacant belt with a wide points win against Marie Pier Houle in Cardiff last April, and was last out in March, forcing Terri Harper to retire after four rounds in Sheffield. Mayer (20-2, KO5), came into this one as a former unified world champion at super featherweight, but she was coming off a loss, where she was unfortunate to be on the wrong end of a razor-thin split loss to IBF champion, Natasha Jonas in January.

There was drama earlier on, as Ryan was covered in paint by an unknown attacker, but the fight went on regardless, where Mayer made a bright start, rocking Ryan momentarily with a solid right hand in the opener. She also enjoyed a strong second, and although Ryan came to life in round three with body shots, the American pretty much had the better of the first half with her combinations and movement.

The champion began to work her way into the contest in the second half, snapping Mayer’s head back with a superb left hook in the sixth, and after Mayer burned energy fending her off in round seven, Ryan took full advantage, landing big hooks to further sap the energy of the American in the eighth, with both unloading towards the end of the round. It was high-octane stuff for the final two rounds, but both wouldn’t budge, and Mayer landed a meaty combination in the last round that Ryan took well as the contest went to the cards.

A 95-95 card was overruled by tallies of 97-93 and 96-94 in Mayer’s favour to declare her the new champion.

Xander Zayas (20-0, KO12) was dominant in defending his NABF and WBO NABO super welterweight titles, as he won every round of ten on all three scorecards against Damian Sosa (25-3, KO12).

Featherweight prospect Bruce Carrington (13-0, KO8) was extended by Sulaiman Segawa (17-5-1, KO6), and went home with the WBC Silver, WBO Intercontinental and NABF featherweight belts with a majority decision win. Carrington took two verdicts of 97-93, with a third card ruling the contest a 95-95 draw.

At super lightweight, Elvis Rodriguez (17-1-1, KO13) was dominant in a ten round win over Kendo Castaneda (21-7, KO9). Rodriguez won all ten rounds on two scorecards, with a third ruling him a 99-91 winner.

In the only contest to end early, Rohan Polanco (14-0, KO9) halted Marcelino Nicolas Lopez (37-5-1, KO22) in the sixth round of their super lightweight contest.

Super welterweight hope Vito Mielnicki Jr (20-1, KO12) was another winner on the cards, but he had to settle for a majority nod over Khalil El Harraz (16-6-1, KO2). One judge somehow had the bout a 95-95 draw, while the remaining to judges scored 100-90 and 98-92 in Mielnicki’s favour.

In eight rounders, Delante Johnson (14-0, KO6) took a competitive win at lightweight on the cards against Yomar Alamo (22-3-1, KO13). Johnson had two judges favour him at 78-74, with a third scoring 77-75. Bantamweight hope Floyd Diaz (13-0, KO3) also won on the cards against Mario Hernandez (12-5-1, KO4).

In the only six rounder on the card, Ali Feliz (3-0, KO2) can deal the first stoppage defeat to Orlando Rashad Coulter (5-4, KO3) in their heavyweight attraction.