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Mayer dominates Spencer to become the unified 154-pound champion

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Former two-division champion Mikaela Mayer became the unified 154-pound champion with a one-sided unanimous decision over WBA champion Mary Spencer on Thursday night, winning the vacant WBC and WBO titles in the process.

The fight headlined the Top Rank card at the Casino de Montreal in Montreal.

Mayer (22-2, 5 KO) dominated the fight from the first bell, applying constant pressure and impressive cardio. Spencer (10-3, 6 KO) had no answer despite being the naturally bigger fighter and instead relied heavily on trying to counter attacks. She couldn’t leisurely Mayer down. One judge scored the fight 100-90 for Mayer, while two other judges scored it 98-92.

Oshae Jones is the current IBF titleholder if Mayer decides to pursue undisputed junior middleweight status. Or he could return to welterweight and pursue three-belt holder Lauren Price.

“I think the most significant thing is that I have options,” Mayer said. “I’ve cleared my head after a challenging two years. I’d love to do both, get down to 147 to become undisputed, and defend at 154. I think I’m a natural at 147. … I can do both.”

Mayer moved up to junior middleweight after winning titles at super featherweight and welterweight. After starting her career 17-0 and winning the unified super featherweight title, she failed to make her long-awaited unification fight against Alycia Baumgardner in 2022. Mayer rebounded with two wins at lightweight in 2023, but lost to Natasha Jonas in her first attempt at welterweight gold. She ultimately won the world welterweight title, defeating Sandy Ryan for the WBO title in September 2024 and successfully defending in a rematch in March.

Mayer, once again increasing in weight, was expected to have some problems with the naturally larger Spencer. However, it was Mayer who quickly assumed the role of bully, working behind the jab and pushing forward in attack. Spencer was content to fight off the backfoot and look for opportunities to counterattack with her right hand.

Mayer, 35, was the busier of the two, pushing forward and attacking Spencer with her attack in the opening rounds. Spencer managed to slip in with chopping right hands, but was unable to thwart the pressure cooker Mayer had placed her in.

Spencer, 40, did her best work in round 5, deflecting Mayer with right hands and catching her with a powerful uppercut. But Mayer’s chin was impressive, and she had little trouble taking on Spencer’s power.

Mayer got back into her rhythm in the next round and peppered Spencer with her attack. In round 8, Mayer broke through and landed Spencer with a straight right hand that seemed to stun his opponent. Mayer continued to hit Spencer with combinations in round 9, with right hands disrupting her composure. The punishment continued in the final round as Mayer closed out the performance impressively by brutally throwing power shots at Spencer until the final bell.

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Mike Tyson lists who was better between Mayweather and Pacquiao in their prime

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Mike Tyson names who was better between Mayweather and Pacquiao in their primes

Mike Tyson has shared his verdict on who he ranks higher between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

Mayweather and Pacquiao are considered two of the greatest boxing legends in recent history, and their success led to a battle between them at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in May 2015.

It was Mayweather who won by unanimous decision, but now, more than a decade later, they will meet again for a second time while fighting at The Sphere in Las Vegas on September 19.

Mayweather is now 49 and Pacquiao is 47, both men are well past their prime, and there is often debate among boxing fans as to which man was better than the other during the best years of their careers.

Mayweather retired with a perfect 50-0 record, defeating the likes of Oscar De La Hoya and Canelo Alvarez, while Pacquiao is the only eight-division boxing world champion in history to boast victories over the likes of Juan Manuel Marquez and Miguel Cotto.

Heavyweight icon Tyson once expressed his own opinion on who was the better of the two, ace revealed that he thinks Pacquiao has achieved more.

“Pacquiao is better than Floyd. He overcame adversity. He got knocked out, came back and had some sensational fights against opponents that outperformed any opponent Floyd had fought.”

Before Mayweather faces Pacquiao in a rematch, he is actually scheduled to face Tyson himself, and an event between the pair will take place soon, although it appears it will not take place on the originally announced April 25 date.

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Dmitry Bivol is targeting a fight with Canelo Alvarez or David Benavidez

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Image: The New Canelo? Jose Benavidez Sr. Says Son David Will Relentlessly Pursue Dmitry Bivol's Titles After WBC Vacancy

Undisputed lithe heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol could pursue a rematch with Canelo Alvarez or a fight with David Benavidez once he finishes his current duties in the division.

Bivol’s manager, Vadim Kornilov, outlined the champion’s preferred path in comments provided by Dan Rafael, explaining that Bivol intends to first pursue a mandatory IBF defense and then return to competing with Artur Beterbiev.


He is expected to have a mandatory defense against Michael Eifert this spring. The fight was scheduled for May 23 at a gala headlined by unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

After fulfilling this obligation, Bivol’s team wants to immediately start the third fight with Beterbiev. Their rivalry produced two closely watched fights, leaving unfinished business between two fighters who have dominated the lithe heavyweight division for the past several years and built one of the most respected rivalries in the sport.

More intriguing possibilities emerge after this trilogy. Rafael reported that Bivola’s camp sees a second fight with Canelo as one of the main options still available to the champion. Bivol defeated Alvarez by unanimous decision in 2022, handing the Mexican star one of the clearest defeats of his career.

Another potential opponent in question is Benavidez, who has moved up to lithe heavyweight and has been seeking a chance to fight the top fighters in the division. The fight between Bivol and Benavidez will pit the undefeated Mexican-American challenger against a champion who currently holds four major division titles.

Kornilov also suggested that Bivol could eventually prove himself at cruiserweight, although such an idea appears to be more of a long-term possibility than an immediate plan for the undefeated champion.

For now, the plan of action remains straightforward: fulfill the IBF mandate against Eifert, complete the trilogy with Beterbiev, and then fight one of the most crucial fights that could decide the final stage of Bivol’s career.

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Categories David Benavidez, Artur Beterbiev, Canelo Alvarez, Dmitry Bivol

Last update: 2026/03/10 at 16:34

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Jai Opetai’s undisputed dream lives on as the IBF releases a fresh statement regarding the status of the title

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Jai Opetaia undisputed dream still alive as IBF release new statement on title status

A fresh twist has been revealed in the story of Jai Opetai and the IBF cruiserweight title.

Last week it was reported that Opetaia was to be stripped of his IBF belt after the opening bell of his planned fight with Brandon Glanton on Sunday at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, due to the fact that the fight was also for Zuffa’s inaugural belt.

Nevertheless, Opetaia continued his fight and declared a unanimous decision victory over Glanton extend their undefeated record to 30-0.

After the fight, Opetaia once again shared his desire to become undisputed in the cruiserweight division, and it appears he has been given the opportunity to do just that as – announced the IBF in a statement that they have not yet made a final decision to strip him of the title.

“Jai Opetaia made comments during the post-fight press conference that led the organization’s leadership to question whether his advisors fully and fully made him aware of the decisions he had to make in deciding to fight Brandon Glanton. The organization intends to take a closer look at this matter.”

The statement also included a mighty response to claims that they had decided not to sanction the fight due to feelings of “disrespect” in the run-up to the fight.

“The IBF categorically denies any suggestion or claim that it deliberately withdrew sanctions to cause harm. The IBF sanctioned the Opetaia vs. Glanton fight in good faith, expecting what was assured to happen.”

“The press conference held on March 8 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, made it clear that the inaugural Zuffa World Cruiserweight Championship would be held on March 8.

“The IBF, as previously stated on March 6, reserves the right to sanction title fights along with other sanctioning bodies that adhere to the same regulations that the IBF follows, and reserves the right to sanction title fights along with other fights that prepare the IBF cruiserweight title remains a subject of discussion.”

The final outcome as to whether Opetaia will indeed retain her title will be revealed in due course.

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