What you need to know about Natasha Jonas vs. Mikaela Mayer
Two of the top fighters in The Sporting News’ women’s boxing pound-for-pound rankings face off for welterweight gold on January 20. Natasha Jonas will defend the IBF welterweight title against former super featherweight champion Mikaela Mayer at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool. The fight will air on ESPN+ in the U.S. and Sky Sports in the U.K.
A 2014 European Championships silver medalist, Jonas was the first British female boxer to compete at the Olympics in 2012, losing to Katie Taylor in the quarter-finals. She turned pro in 2017 and fought Terri Harper to a draw for the WBC super featherweight title before losing to Taylor in a battle for the undisputed lightweight championship.
The Liverpool-born Jonas, 39, has since won five in a row since. In 2022, she beat Chris Namus for the WBO super welterweight title, Patricia Berghult for the WBC belt, and Marie-Eve Dicaire for IBF gold. In July, Jonas moved down in weight to beat Kandi Wyatt for the IBF welterweight title. Now armed with world titles in two weight divisions, she is ready for unification fights on all fronts.
Mayer, 33, stands ominously in her way.
“I’m so excited to be fighting back in Liverpool in my first headline show and in the biggest fight of my career so far,” Jonas said. “It’s my fifth world title fight with BOXXER, in my backyard, and I’m ready for it. It’s Mikaela Mayer, she stretches above and beyond the UK shores. ‘Miss GB’ versus ‘Miss USA’ and may the best woman win!”
WATCH: Natasha Jonas vs. Mikaela Mayer, exclusively on ESPN+
A 2012 World Championships bronze medalist, Mayer was a part of the 2016 U.S. Olympic team. The National Golden Gloves winner turned pro in 2017 with Top Rank and beat Ewa Brodnicka for the WBO super featherweight title in 2020. In a hard-hitting affair, Mayer then beat Maiva Hamadouche in 2021 to win the IBF and Ring Magazine championships.
Mayer lost the belts to rival Alyica Baumgardner in 2022 but has won two fights since at lightweight and super lightweight. She now looks to conquer the welterweight division.
“These are the types of matchups boxing needs. I am feeling better than ever at my new weight and confident that 2024 is when I take it all back,” Mayer said.
Here’s all you need to know about the fight, including time, channel, odds, card, and more.
Jonas vs. Mayer will be on January 20, 2024. The Sporting News will provide times for the event when available.
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The Jonas vs. Mayer main card will air on ESPN and ESPN+ in the U.S. The undercard will air exclusively on ESPN+.
You can pay $10.99 for a monthly subscription to ESPN+ or buy an annual subscription for $109.99.
WATCH: Natasha Jonas vs. Mikaela Mayer, exclusively on ESPN+
Jonas vs. Mayer will take place at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool. The arena can hold up to 11,000 people.
Betting odds are not yet available for this fight.
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