Mikaela Mayer became the up-to-date WBO welterweight champion at Madison Square Garden in Novel York after winning a majority decision to dethrone Sandy Ryan in the Huge Apple.

Derby-born Ryan (7-2-1, KO3) won the vacant belt after scoring a massive points win over Marie Pier Houle in Cardiff last April, with the latter being eliminated in March, forcing Terri Harper to withdraw after four rounds in Sheffield . Mayer (20-2, KO5) entered this fight as a former unified super featherweight world champion, but was coming off a setback that unfortunately left her on the wrong side of a razor-thin split loss to IBF champion Natasha Jonas in January.

There was drama earlier when Ryan was covered in the paint by an unknown assailant, but the fight continued nonetheless and Mayer started well, rocking Ryan momentarily with a solid right hand in the opening throw. She also enjoyed a powerful second half, and although Ryan came alive in the third round with body shots, the American was generally the better of the first half thanks to her combinations and movement.

The champion began to climb into the fight in the second half, in the sixth half she knocked Mayer’s head back with a brilliant left hook, and after Mayer burned energy fending her off in round seven, Ryan took full advantage, landing massive hooks to further drain the American’s energy in the eighth round, and both men discharge at the end of the round. The final two rounds were high octane, but both refused to move, with Mayer landing a solid combination in the final round that Ryan took well as the fight went in favor.

The 95-95 card was overturned by scores of 97-93 and 96-94 in Mayer’s favor and she was declared the up-to-date champion.

Xander Zayas (20-0, KO12) dominated the defense of his NABF and WBO NABO super welterweight titles, winning every round ten on all three scorecards against Damian Sosa (25-3, KO12).

Featherweight prospect Bruce Carrington (13-0, KO8) had his fight extended by Sulaiman Segawa (17-5-1, KO6) and went home with the WBC Silver, WBO Intercontinental and NABF featherweight belts after a majority decision victory. Carrington issued two verdicts of 97-93, and the third card resulted in a draw of 95-95.

In the super lightweight division, Elvis Rodriguez (17-1-1, KO13) dominated in a ten-round victory over Kendo Castaneda (21-7, KO9). Rodriguez won all ten rounds on two scorecards, with the third giving him a 99-91 victory.

In the only fight that ended earlier, Rohan Polanco (14-0, KO9) defeated Marcelino Nicolas Lopez (37-5-1, KO22) in the sixth round of their super lightweight fight.

Super welterweight hope Vito Mielnicki Jr (20-1, KO12) was the next winner on the cards, but had to settle for a majority nod over Khalil El Harraz (16-6-1, KO2). One of the judges somehow ended the fight with a draw 95:95, while the others scored 100:90 and 98:92 in favor of Mielnicki.

In eight rounds, Delante Johnson (14-0, KO6) won the lightweight fight against Yomar Alamo (22-3-1, KO13). Johnson had two judges give it 78-74, with a third scoring it 77-75. Bantamweight hopeful Floyd Diaz (13-0, KO3) also won on the cards against Mario Hernandez (12-5-1, KO4).

With just six rounds on the card, Ali Feliz (3-0, KO2) could inflict his first defeat against Orlando Rashad Coulter (5-4, KO3) in the heavyweight division.

Former world champion David Benavidez shed airy on who he will fight next.

Benavidez has become one of the sport’s biggest stars over the past few years, with fans clamoring for a fight between him and Canelo Alvarez.

Unfortunately for the boxing world, the unified super middleweight champion, Alvarez, is reluctant to step into the ring with the “Mexican Monster,” who has decided to move up to airy heavyweight in pursuit of gigantic fights.

The most tempting fights include the fight with the talented Cuban David Morrell, who made his debut at 175 pounds in July.

There was excitement Wednesday after Benavidez announced on social media that a fight with Morrell could be next.

“I’m preparing something gigantic for you guys for my next fight. Wait for further information. If everything goes well and he agrees, I fight Morrell next.”

However, fans were disappointed today when the 27-year-old announced that talks had broken down and he would fight Jesse Hart next, not Morrell.

“I’ll fight Jesse Hart next, not Morrell. But Morrell is a future opponent.”

Although Hart is a two-time world title challenger, he has been most effective as a super middleweight, and at age 35, his best days are likely far behind him.

“Challenging Work” has five wins following a split decision loss to Joe Smith Jr in 2020, although their level is low and Benavidez represents giant improvement.

David Benavidez said reports about his potential next fight with David Morrell are not true, and he will face Jesse Hart in December.

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBenson) September 26, 2024

The Phoenix-born pressure fighter will be the clear favorite against Hart and will want to emulate him wide decision victory over former light heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk in April.

However, he will likely share fans’ frustration that he will have to wait until at least 2025 to secure the mega fight that has long eluded him.

There has been no official announcement regarding the Benavidez vs. Hart fight, but it is expected to happen in December.

On Friday night at York Hall, in a bizarre family celebration, former world champion Charlie Edwards attempts to win the European bantamweight title from champion Thomas Essomby, whose manager is Charlie’s younger brother Clear.

Wasserman promotes the Edwards vs Essomba fight as Channel 5 broadcasts it live in the UK.

Edwards’ (19-1, 7 KO) stock has been in decline in recent years, despite the Croydon fighter continuing his unbeaten streak, which has stretched to 11 fights since making a belated shot at a world title in 2016, when he was stopped by IBF flyweight champion John Riel Casimero in a thrilling display at the O2 Arena. Edwards has reset and learnt his craft, and in December 2018 he won the WBC flyweight title with a stunning points victory over Cristofer Rosales.

Edwards defended himself once, against a controversial no contest with Julio Cesar Martinez forced a change in weight.

Since then, “The Eagle” has boxed just four times in four years, all against lowly opposition, and was last seen in April when he scored a wide points victory over Georges Ory to win the vacant WBC International silver bantamweight title.

He will face a tough and experienced champion in Essomba (13-8-1, 4 KOs), a former Olympian who has never been afraid to travel and take risky opportunities. Born in Cameroon and now based in Sheffield, Essomba has an impressive list of opponents and despite eight defeats to his name, he has performed well each time, not being stopped by Lee McGregor until the 12th, final round in 2018.

He also worked with Clear Edwards, who lost on points in 2020. In May last year he travelled to Italy and won the European title by defeating Alessio Lorusso, then defended in his adopted Sheffield in February, taking a split decision against Elie Konki.

Prediction: Edwards starts out as the clear favorite in this one, and understandably so. Essomba will test him, but once Edwards gets through a tough first few rounds, he could take control and secure a wide enough victory to become the recent champion.

Wasserman’s prospects and tantalizing domestic clashes fill the bill

The undercard is only up in the eighth round as Germaine Brown (13-3, 4 KOs) takes on Grant Dennis (18-7, 3 KOs). Brown has lost twice in the English title fight, after decent performances against Zak Chellie and Mark Jeffers, while Dennis has lost four of his last five matches, including two on the schedule. Brown could do so on the break.

In six rounds, super lightweight newcomer Jesse Brandon (4-0, 1 KO) could go the distance for the first time with a unanimous decision over Miguel Angel Nunez (4-10, 1 KO). In the middleweight division, Joel Bartell (6-1, 3 KO) could rebound from his loss to Jordan Reynolds with a unanimous decision over Nikolas Dzurnak (7-7-2, 6 KO).

Lightweight prospect Brandon Olbrechts (6-0, 2 KOs) could also go the distance against Brayan Mairena (15-46-1, 9 KOs), while super lightweight Hannah Robinson (1-0, 0 KOs) should also triumph on the judge’s scorecard against Laura Reoyo (2-1, 0 KOs).

Atomic @Tomwelland04 can let go of hands 🧨

He hopes to break his professional record of 6-0 at York Hall on September 27th 👀@Ladbrokes | @SauerlandBros | #EssombaEdwards pic.twitter.com/cE6O9HEo5U

— Wasserman Boxing (@WassermanBoxing) August 15, 2024

The four-round fight will be headlined by the popular Tom Welland (5-0, 2 KOs), and the featherweight should emerge victorious on points against Darwing Martinez (8-23-2, 6 KOs), while Danny Boardman (1-0, 0 KOs) should do the same, also in the featherweight division against Yin Caicedo (10-21-4, 4 KOs).