In a closely contested bout that went the distance, Natasha Jonas successfully defended her IBF welterweight world championship against Mikaela Mayer with a split decision victory. The fight, which took place in Liverpool, saw Jonas and Mayer battle it out for ten grueling rounds, demonstrating the high level of skill both fighters possess.
Controversial Decision
The judges' scorecards were the subject of debate following the conclusion of the match. One judge scored the fight widely in favor of Mayer, but the other two judges saw Jonas as the winner, tipping the split decision her way. Despite the mixed opinions on the outcome, Jonas firmly believed she was the rightful victor, expressing confidence in her performance. "I thought I was comfortably two rounds up at the end," Jonas stated, reflecting on her effort in the ring.
Mayer, understandably, disagreed with the result, feeling she had done enough to secure the win. However, the official decision stood, adding another successful title defense to Jonas's record.
Jonas's Reflections on the Fight
Jonas acknowledged the difficulty of the fight and conceded that there were moments where she made it harder on herself than necessary. "All in all, I won. I grinded it out. I made it a little bit uncomfortable for myself in the middle rounds. Again I won, that's all I can say. I won," she remarked, summing up her night's work.
She also emphasized her trust in her trainer, Joe Gallagher, whose judgment during fights has been a guiding force throughout her career. Jonas highlighted this trust by mentioning past instances where Gallagher's candid feedback on her performance helped steer her to victory. On this occasion, Gallagher tallied the rounds as they progressed and had Jonas winning by two rounds in the end, aligning with her own assessment.
Reflecting on the nature of boxing decisions, Jonas mused, "Sometimes you can box brilliantly and lose or draw, whatever it is, and the decision doesn't go your way and sometimes you can scrape a win and I think I did that."
Open to a Rematch
Despite the controversy surrounding the fight's outcome, Jonas showed sportsmanship by stating she is open to a rematch with Mayer. This openness suggests that Jonas is willing to prove her victory was no fluke and that she can once again come out on top in a potential second encounter with Mayer.
"Of course that will be an option," Jonas said when asked about the possibility of facing Mayer again. Her willingness to entertain a rematch demonstrates her confidence and commitment to proving herself as the best in the division.
Future Plans
Looking ahead, Jonas is not rushing into any decisions regarding her next opponent. She plans to evaluate all available opportunities before making a choice that aligns with her career goals. "We're going to sit down and see what opportunities are available and I'll choose the best one for me," Jonas conveyed, indicating a strategic approach to her career trajectory.
With options on the table including Lauren Price, Jessica McCaskill, and Katie Taylor, Jonas is in a position to select a fight that not only makes sense competitively but also commercially. "If that's Mikaela Mayer, we'll choose Mikaela Mayer. If that's Lauren Price, we choose her. If that's Jessica McCaskill, we choose her. If that's Katie Taylor, we choose her," Jonas declared, showcasing her readiness to face any of the top contenders in her weight class.
Summarizing her thoughts on the fight with Mayer, Jonas recognized the quality of the matchup and the pedigree both fighters brought to the ring. "It was hard work, exactly what I thought. Two class operators and two top-class female fighters who have been well schooled, been in the Olympic cycle, been the hard route, been in through the amateurs and that elite level," she said, paying respect to the journey both she and Mayer have undertaken to reach this pinnacle in their professional careers.
As the dust settles on this championship clash, Jonas can take pride in her victory and the resilience she displayed under pressure. With her eyes set on future challenges, the boxing world eagerly awaits her next move, whether it be a direct rematch with Mayer or a new challenge against another worthy adversary.