Jonas Retains IBF Welterweight Title in a Close Contest with Mayer
In an electrifying bout that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Natasha Jonas successfully defended her IBF welterweight world championship against American challenger Mikaela Mayer. The contest, which took place in Liverpool, spanned ten grueling rounds and concluded with Jonas emerging victorious via a split decision—a result that has sparked considerable debate among boxing enthusiasts and pundits alike.
Controversial Judges' Scorecards
The judges' scorecards were at the heart of the controversy following the fight. While one judge scored the bout in favor of Mayer, the remaining two sided with Jonas. The champion herself felt confident in her performance, believing she had secured the win by a margin of two rounds. "I thought I was comfortably two rounds up at the end," Jonas stated, reflecting on the match's outcome.
Mayer, however, expressed disagreement with the decision, joining a chorus of dissenting voices who questioned the scoring. Despite the mixed opinions, Jonas stood firm in her belief that she did enough to retain her title, saying, "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."
Admission of In-Ring Challenges
Jonas candidly admitted that she faced difficulties during the middle rounds of the fight, acknowledging that she had made things harder for herself. Nevertheless, she took solace in the outcome, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the sport: "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."
Her trust in trainer Joe Gallagher was evident as she highlighted his role in her success. Gallagher's round-by-round judgment corroborated Jonas's own assessment of the fight, providing her with additional confidence in her victory.
Potential Rematch and Future Opponents
When discussing what lies ahead, Jonas revealed an openness to a rematch with Mayer, stating, "Of course that will be an option." However, before making any decisions, she plans to carefully consider all opportunities available to her. "We're going to sit down and see what opportunities are available and I'll choose the best one for me," she explained.
Jonas mentioned a list of potential opponents, including Lauren Price, Jessica McCaskill, and Katie Taylor, indicating that her next move will be calculated and strategic. "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 elaborated on her approach to selecting her next challenger.
Mutual Respect Between Fighters
Despite the competitive nature of their encounter, Jonas expressed respect for the professional journey both she and Mayer have undertaken. She praised their backgrounds and dedication to the sport: "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."
This acknowledgment of their shared experiences as elite athletes underscores the deep mutual respect between the two fighters, a sentiment that transcends the outcome of any single match.
Conclusion
The aftermath of the Jonas-Mayer showdown leaves the boxing world buzzing with anticipation for what's next. Will Jonas opt for a direct rematch to settle the score once and for all, or will she turn her attention to new challengers vying for her title? One thing is certain: Natasha Jonas remains the IBF welterweight world champion, and her future in the ring holds endless possibilities.