Two main rematch on Saturday, when the WBO, Mikael Mayer, Sandy Ryan in Las Vegas (ESPN/ESPN+, 10.00 ET, with estimates at 19:00 ET at ESPN+), as well as the short-lived WBC title, William Zepeda, is aiming at the ESPN+), meets Tevin Farmer in Canceun, Mexico.
Mayer (20-2, 5 KO) defeated Ryan (7-2-1, 3 KO) by the decision of the majority in the main event of the boxing card at the Madison Square Garden theater in September last year. Before the fight, Ryan hit a can of red paint by an unidentified person when I leave the hotel to go to fight. Ryan was not undamaged and went to the place. She blamed Mayer and her team for the attack, something they denied.
The fighters developed a mighty contempt for themselves before fighting because of the trainer. Mayer trained with Kay Korom for most of her career, but in September 2023 “Coach Kay” also began training Ryan. Considering the conflict of interests, Mayer left Koroma for coach Kofi Yantuah, who was also in her team, after her losing with Natasha Jonas in January 2024.
Mayer defeated Ryan from the results cards 93-97, 94-96 and 95-95 in a close fight, which separated both warrior with only one blow-Mayer, he landed 186 blows to Ryan 185, and also put Ryan with power mounts (132-128). But Ryan landed three more stabs than Mayer (57 to 54) for 10 rounds.
Zepeda (32-0, 27 KO) defeated the farmer (33-7-1, 8 KO) by a decision divided in November last year in the fight for a lightweight WBC title. The fighters separated only one round on all three results cards (94-95 twice for Zepeda and 95-94 for a farmer).
While Zepeda, who was knocked down in round 4, threw more punches at 191 than a farmer, only 33.3% of his blows to 32.9% for the farmer landed. Zepeda also landed 90 blows to just 45 for a farmer.
Let’s look at both rematch by numbers. This report uses information from ESPN and Compubox research.
Mikaela Mayer vs. Sandy Ryan
-115: Ryan’s chances to win a fight according to the ESPN plant. Mayer is weaker at -105.
60: The percentage of blows landed through Ryan in rounds from 6 to 10 (111 of 185). Mayer landed 54% of his blows in the same period (101 of 186). The biggest difference in combat was Jab Mayer. She threw 317 strokes and 319 power blows, almost 50-50. Ryan threw 224 strokes and 343 power. Only 40% of her blows are stabs.
5: The number of titles is fighting for Ryan (including Saturday rematch with Mayer) in her 11 professional fights. Ryan defeated Marie-Bier Houle by a unanimous decision in April 2023 in order to gain a free WBO semi-edge title. She fought for a draw in the struggle of unification against Jessica McCaskill in September 2023, and then in March 2024 she did one successful defense against Terri Harper.
9: The number of titles is fighting for Mayer (including Saturday’s fight with Ryan) and the third in welterweight. Mayer lost to Natasha Jonas in January 2024 by dividing the decision, while requiring the IBF welterweight title. Then she beat Ryan in September 2024 to capture the WBO belt. She also had title fights at Junior Lightweight and Lightweight (short-lived title).
7: Mayer’s place in ESPN women’s rankings for pounds. It is also no.
1: The difference in blows landed in their first fight (186-185, in favor of Mayer).
32.6: The percentage of blows landed through Ryan in her first fight with Mayer (185 of 567). A higher percentage in JABS (25.4% to 17% for Mayer) has also landed.
9: The largest number of stabs landed through Mayer and Ryan in the first fight (Ryan in round 1 and Mayer in round 4). Neither Mayer nor Ryan threw stabs into double numbers in any round.
8: The number of rounds in which Ryan landed power in two -digit numbers to seven Ryan. The most effective Mayer round was 10 when 50% of her blows landed. Ryan landed 54.8% in round 4.
44: Total blows landed in the body through Mayer, up to 33 for Ryan. Of these Mayer, only five were stabs, only two landed by Ryan.
William Zepeda vs. Tevin Farmer
-750: Zepeda’s chances to win the fight according to the ESPN plant. The farmer is weaker in +475.
31.9: The average blow has landed on the round through Zepeda in the last 10 fights. This is the highest of the masters and contenders for the title at 135 pounds (15.9). He throws 96.5 blows to the round, also the highest among lightweight masters and contenders. For comparison, the farmer throws 55 stamps per round, while the average division is 56.6.
23.8: The average power blows landed on the round through Zepeda in the last 10 fights, the second highest among lightweight masters and rivals. This is exactly twice as much as the average for the division (11.9 per round) and 10 more blows than a farmer (13.8 per round).
29.2 The percentage of power blows landed to Zepedy through his opponents (11.4 per round).
34.2: Percentage of blows landed by Zepeda. The farmer lands 38.9%. The average compubox for lightweight division is 29.5%.
19: The balls for the round landed through the farmer in their first fight against Zeda, almost three more than his average 16.4. From among these blows, 13.8 per round.
79: Power hit the body through Zepeda in the first fight with a farmer, who landed only with 42 mounts.
3: The total stabs of the body landed by the farmer against Zepeda during their first fight. It is less than half of its average 6.4 landed on the round.
7: The difference in blows landed in the round in the first fight, in favor of Zepeda. Zepeda also stranded 19 blows (78-59).
1: Knocking down in the first fight. Farmer dropped Zeda on the left bank in the fourth round.
David Benavidez looks to become a three-belt cruiserweight world champion in December, but whilst many fans hope to see him face Jai Opetaia in the fight that follows, there is another world champion whom ‘The Mexican Monster’ could potentially meet in 2027.
An official announcement is expected imminently for a December 5 showdown between Benavidez and WBC cruiserweight champion Michael Cieslak – with Opetaia mandated to take on the victor of that contest.
Meanwhile, another Benavidez target, Dmitry Bivol, is poised to take on Callum Smith on December 12 and then partake in a rubber match with Artur Beterbiev in Russia in 2027.
However, speaking with Inside The RingBenavidez revealed that Beterbiev has reached out to his team for a shot at cruiserweight honours, before confirming that he will give the 41-year-old Canadian-Russian exactly ‘what he wants’.
“Beterbiev has definitely reached out to our team and he has been actively trying to make that fight. So, we are going to give him exactly what he wants.
“I respect Beterbiev, he is like 45 years old so the fact that he is calling me out is why I have a lot of respect for him!
“That is a great fight for the public.”
Beterbiev hasn’t fought since he came up short in his undisputed light heavyweight title rematch with Bivol in February 2025, and could now look to move up to 200lbs in a bid to get active once again.
As for Opetaia, his mandatory position could be negated if his lawsuit against the IBF is successful and he is reinstated as their world champion, or if the winner of Benavidez-Cieslak decides to vacate the WBC world title during the aftermath.
However, should the Aussie be reinstated as a three-time IBF cruiserweight world champion, Benavidez would presumably still pursue the fight in a bid to fulfil his dream of becoming undisputed at cruiserweight.
Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson are reportedly in negotiations ahead of a potential showdown in November, and newly-crowned WBA lightweight champion Floyd Schofield, who has sparred both men, has cast his verdict on how the fight may play out.
Last week, WBO welterweight world champion Haney and WBO super-lightweight titleholder Stevenson publicly agreed to a 145lb catchweight affair after weeks of back and forth on social media.
It is understood that, should it happen, Haney’s world title would be up for grabs and that no rehydration clause would be included in the fight contract – something which Stevenson had been keen for when they were last in talks for a clash.
Speaking with Sean ZittelSchofield – who defeated Lucas Bahdi to get his hands on the WBA 135lb world title on Saturday – admitted that he is favouring Haney to come out on top.
“We would have to wait and see on fight night. I think that there is different things that both of them do good, I feel like it would just be a real technical fight.
“I think that I would favour Devin because, even though he is not a crazy power-puncher, we have seen how he was able to put Brian Norman Jr. on the floor – that is something we haven’t seen before.
“The reach, the size, the boxing skill [makes me favour Devin].”
It is believed that the target fight date for Haney-Stevenson is Saturday, November 28in Atlanta, for what could be one of the biggest boxing events of the 2026 calendar.
Jai Opetaia’s proposed fight with Deontay Wilder looks like a mismatch between a prime cruiserweight and a 40-year-old former champion with four defeats in his last seven fights. Dana White wants to sell Wilder’s punching power, but selling his ability to survive Opetaia’s speed and combination punching is another story entirely.
White says that Opetaia looks set for the Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua undercard on December 11 in Cardiff, naming Wilder as an active target. The bout remains unconfirmed.
“Jai Opetaia is more than likely going to be on the undercard. [Wilder] is one that we’ve been talking about and working on,” White said to Sky Sports. “The guy’s willing to fight anybody.”
White labeled the pairing “a very dangerous fight for him considering where he sits in his division right now.”
That view leans heavily on Wilder’s signature right hand while glossing over his recent slide. Now 40, Wilder has dropped four of his last seven outings. His stature rests on past triumphs, whereas this assignment requires coping with Opetaia’s modern rhythm, quick feet, and fluid combinations.
Raw power guarantees Wilder a puncher’s chance, yet that alone will not keep him in the contest. He must locate openings, release his shots under fire, and withstand incoming heat. Against Opetaia, every phase of that task presents real trouble.
Opetaia creates angles rather than standing stationary to absorb incoming fire. If Wilder hesitates, the Australian will bank rounds, land heavy volume, and leave the audience waiting on a counter that never lands.
The commercial upside for Opetaia makes complete sense. Wilder brings global brand value, so defeating him on a massive stadium platform elevates the Australian’s profile while placing a former heavyweight titleholder on his ledger.
Still, any victory carries context. Overcoming a faded veteran provides little indication of how Opetaia might handle the heavyweight division’s elite.
Promoters can market the sudden threat of one clean shot, but every boxing fundamental tilts toward Opetaia.
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