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Substantial weekend in women’s boxing

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Last weekend we saw three shows with women as the main characters. If you had told me a few years ago that something like this would happen, I’m not sure I would have believed you. In Recent York, Mikaela Mayer faced WBO welterweight champion Sandy Ryan in a clash that will undoubtedly be up for fight of the year.

Although the Briton showed fortitude and perseverance, Mayer’s experience and overall skills ensured she won the fight. The judges scored the fight 95-95, 97-93, 96-94 and 96-94 in favor of the American. Both fighters landed massive punches from the first to the last round, but Mayer’s game plan gave her the advantage in the fight. Mayer switched ranges, using precise and fluid footwork while taking her head off the halfway line and taking shots.

The build-up to this fight was fueled by what seemed like more than just the obligatory pre-fight trash talk. Mayer and Ryan have a history. Ryan was accused of “stealing” Mayer’s senior coach, which appears to have caused genuine animosity between the rivals. The dispute ended during the competition when Ryan was doused with red paint as she left the hotel. Ryan pointed the finger at Mayer and has since released a statement saying she should not have continued the fight and that he has been in contact with the NYPD.

Whether Mayer had anything to do with the paint mishap or not, one thing is certain: fans would love a rematch. If a rematch isn’t scheduled in the near future, both women have other options. Mayer has made it clear that she plans to unify the division, so it would make sense for her to try to defeat WBC champion Ivana Habazin.

An alternate fight that would get her fans excited would be a rematch with her senior foe, Natasha Jonas. Mayer lost to Jonas in January 2024 in a controversial split decision, so revenge and title unification will certainly appeal to the Californian. Meanwhile, Ryan will no doubt be looking to regain her world title, so why not challenge fellow British and WBA champion Lauren Price? Ryan’s action-packed style and Price’s powerful hands would make for a compelling fight.

Price (right) shoots former champion McCaskill (left). (Photo: James Chance/Getty Images)

1,370 miles away in Atlanta, Georgia, the next women’s main event took place. The Alycia Baumgardner vs. Delfine Persoon fight ended in a disappointing no-contest after clashing heads in the fourth round. Baumgardner was returning from a 14-month break after testing positive for the metabolites mesterolone and methenolone acetate in her pre-fight “A” sample taken on July 12 (although two subsequent tests showed they were clear). The undisputed featherweight champion has already been cleared of “intentionally” taking a banned substance.

On the opposite side of the champion sat the experienced Delfine Persoon. Persoon is best known for pushing Katie Taylor in two close fights, the first of which sparked controversy (many felt Persoon did enough to win). Although Persoon showed her usual dogged determination and aggression towards Baumgardner, it was clear from the beginning that she was not the same woman we saw taking Taylor into the deep end four years earlier (as evidenced by the huge knee brace worn during the fight).

In the first round, Baumgardner caught Persoon with a left hook that sent her to the canvas in an apparent lightning brisk knockdown. The American found her rhythm with fluid lateral movements and edged straight shots to the pipe, while Persoon looked frustrated as she clearly struggled with restricted mobility. A clash of heads in the fourth round caused a nasty cut to Persoon’s eye, ending the fight. If the fight had gone one more round, it would have been sent to the scorecard for a technical decision.

The champion exclaimed after the fight: “I know I really wanted to take her down, but that’s boxing. I did what I wanted; At this point, the only thing that matters is getting back into the ring.

Baumgardner’s return to the ring wasn’t as publicized as she was used to, but we can assume she’ll be back in the spotlight in future competitions.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 16: Alycia Baumgardner in action during the WBC and IBO World Super-Featherweight fight between Alycia Baumgardner and Edith Soledad Matthysse at the AO Arena on April 16, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

The third major women’s event took place on the other side of the Atlantic. Rhiannon Dixon faced Terri Harper to defend her WBO lightweight title at the Canon Medical Arena in Sheffield. Dixon won the world title in her last fight against Karen Carabajal, which at the time was a large step forward for the Warrington boxer. This time, Dixon again faced Harper, a more experienced boxer.

Despite Dixon’s efforts, she was unable to pin down Harper, who controlled the distance and counterattacked with right straight right and left hooks. Dixon continued to struggle with her jabs, but after being ordered by her trainer (former world champion Anthony Crolla) to “let go of her hands”, the Warrington fighter came out in the sixth with real urgency and hit Harper with a powerful uppercut and a right hand.

Harper, who has shared the ring with the likes of Natasha Jonas, Alycia Baumgardner and Cecilia Braekhus, used her experience to maintain her advantage on the scorecards, winning by unanimous decision with scores of 97-93, 97-93 and 96-94. It was a fight Harper had to win, and in her last outing she was brutally stopped by fellow Brit Sandy Ryan.

The victory makes Harper the first British woman to become a three-weight world champion, having been the WBA and IBO super welterweight world champion and the IBO and WBC super featherweight world champion. Immediately after the fight, we saw an emotional Harper exclaiming: “This is the best fight of my career. I have become a recent fighter mentally and physically.”

Sheffield, Great Britain: Rhiannon Dixon vs. Terri Harper, fight for the WBO lightweight world title.
September 28, 2024
Photo by Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing.

Dixon vs. Harper was originally scheduled to take place on the undercard of the Jack Catterall v. Regis Prograis event at the 23,500-capacity Co-op Live Arena in Manchester. The fight was postponed due to Catterall’s injury, but Matchroom decided to keep the women’s world title fight on. Although the fight was moved to a smaller venue, Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn told fans: “I thought it was a great fight. I’m so glad we continued this event. [Harper] is making history today.”

Last weekend was a look into the future. Full of action, great personalities and high-level boxing – and they happened to be women. The tide is turning, that’s for sure. Promoters are more willing to invest in female talent, and fans are shown time and time again that women are just as capable of delivering jaw-dropping fights as their male counterparts.

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Boxing

George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team

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George Kambosos beats Teofimo

Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.

Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.

The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.

Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.

The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.

“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.

“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.

“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”

Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.

“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].

Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.

“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.

Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.

“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.

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Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul

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Mike Tyson comeback black

One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.

WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.

Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.

“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.

“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.

“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.

He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”

Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.

Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.

Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.

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Lauren Price looks to win Jonas vs Habazin with an undercard victory

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Lauren Price

Lauren Price MBE will defend her world title for the first time on Saturday, December 14 at the Exhibition Center in Liverpool, while the Welsh champion plans to stage an all-British unification clash with welterweight rival Natasha Jonas, which will headline the Collision Course that night.

Price defends her WBA welterweight title against undefeated Colombian challenger Bexcy Mateus on the same night as Jonas attempts to unify the IBF and WBC titles with Ivana Habazin as part of BOXXER’s ‘Collision Course’ fight night, which can be seen live and exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK UK and Ireland and Peacock in the US.

Price MBE (7-0, 1 KO) made history with an excellent performance, defeating former undisputed welterweight world ruler Jessica McCaskill in front of her fans in Cardiff in May.

Price, the first Welsh boxer to win Olympic gold, once again entered the record books by becoming the country’s first world champion in just her seventh professional fight. The 30-year-old from Ystrad Mynach, who has yet to lose a round as a professional, will now defend her world titles for the first time as she focuses on dominating the welterweight division.

Mateus (7-0, 6 KO), ranked No. 5 in the WBA rankings, is undefeated in the professional ranks and has won all but one of her seven fights by knockout. The 29-year-old from Bogota, fighting outside her native Colombia for the first time, will now have her first chance at global fame, with her goal to dethrone Price and take the top spot in the welterweight division.

Lauren Price said: “I’m excited to defend my belts and complete what has been an crucial year for me. I have full respect for Mateusz. I will prove that I am the best in the division and I will not let anything or anyone stand in my way of being undisputed.”

BOXXER Founder and CEO Ben Shalom said: “It’s a massive night for the women’s welterweight division with three world champions competing. Natasha Jonas returns to her hometown for a mandatory unification fight against Ivana Habazin, and Lauren Price defends her world titles against undefeated challenger Bexcy Mateus. The fight for the undisputed continues. If Natasha and Lauren win on December 14, it will set the stage for a massive “Battle Of Britain” world title unification fight next year.

There’s reason to celebrate as BOXXER delivers a Christmas cracker to end the year. In addition to the world championship fights between Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price, fight fans can expect a gala full of drama and entertainment.

Undefeated Irishman Stephen McKenna (15-0, 14 KO) will face English champion Lee Cutler (14-1, 7 KO) in an invigorating super welterweight fight for the silver WBC International title.

McKenna impressed fans in his three-round fight against Joe Laws last August at Oakwell Stadium in Barnsley. The two struck out in the first round, then McKenna began to apply the pressure, losing Laws three more times and maintaining his undefeated record after a third-round stoppage.

English cruiserweight champion Viddal Riley (11-0, 6 KO) returns to action from a rib injury that has kept him out of the ring since a career-best victory over Mikael Lawal in March. Riley will be looking to shake off the ring rust as he takes on high-profile opponents in the recent year.

Undefeated Chorley super middleweight Mark Jeffers (18-0, 5 KO) scored an explosive fifth-round knockout victory over Darren Johnston in May and will be looking to bring more drama to Liverpool’s Exhibition Center as he goes in search of his 19th professional win.

Mason Cartwright (20-4-1, 8 KO) from Cheshire, a former two-time British title challenger from Ellesmere Port, will be counting on local support as he returns to the title track.

After signing a promotional contract with BOXXER, local star Frankie Stringer (8-0, 1 KO) can achieve his third victory in 2024, when he returns in front of his fans in Liverpool. The 23-year-old lightweight fighter is a player of the notable city team Rotunda ABC, and his manager is former world champion Liam Smith.

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