Mikaela Mayer has voiced her strong opinions about the boxing authorities, claiming they’ve made it alarmingly easy for athletes to cheat in the sport.
This issue is particularly timely as she prepares to face Sandy Ryan on Friday night at Madison Square Garden, aiming to add a second title to her collection, with the Hayabusa Women’s Apparel.
A Showdown and a Return
While Mayer gears up for her fight, her former rival Alycia Baumgardner is also making headlines.
She’s set to return to the ring in Atlanta against Delfine Persoon, just over a year after failing a drugs test.
Baumgardner tested positive for two banned substances before her title defense against Christina Linardatou in July 2023, leading to a provisional suspension but, perplexingly, not the loss of her titles.
Mixed Messages from Authorities
The World Boxing Council (WBC) concluded that Baumgardner was “not guilty of intentional ingestion” of banned substances, allowing her to return to boxing.
However, Mayer isn’t convinced. She lost a controversial split decision to Baumgardner last October and has criticized the lack of rigorous drug testing for their fight.
“I haven’t been tested for this fight. No one’s come to test me,” she lamented, reflecting on the situation.
Mayer expressed her disappointment in the boxing organizations, emphasizing the necessity of due process when someone tests positive.
She pointed out that proving contamination is essential, and the current lack of accountability is troubling.
“It seemed like no one forced her to say anything other than ‘I don’t know’,” she remarked.
The Impact of Inconsistent Regulations
The issue of failed drug tests isn’t new in boxing.
Conor Benn had his highly anticipated fight against Chris Eubank Jr. canceled just two days prior due to multiple positive tests, and Ryan Garcia’s victory over Devin Haney was later declared a no-contest after a positive test.
With Benn still unable to fight in the UK and Garcia serving a 12-month ban, Mayer feels frustrated with the inconsistency in how these situations are handled.
“There’s got to be something put in place across the board,” she insisted.
Mayer believes the loopholes in regulations make it too easy for athletes to cheat.
She argues that when someone tests positive, the response should be clear-cut—stripping titles and enforcing suspensions without exceptions.
Looking to the Future
As Mayer sets her sights on a rematch with Baumgardner, she acknowledges the complexity of facing her rival again.
“I don’t necessarily know if she deserves the rematch,” she explained, pointing out that Baumgardner had avoided the fight initially and then faced doping allegations.
Yet, part of Mayer is eager to step into the ring with her rival again, particularly in a weight class where she feels strong.
Before she can consider a rematch with Baumgardner, however, Mayer needs to focus on her upcoming bout against Ryan.
The British fighter currently holds the WBO welterweight title and has proven herself with impressive performances, including a knockout victory over Terri Harper.
Acknowledging the Challenge
Mayer is well aware of Ryan’s capabilities, recalling their shared history in the amateur ranks.
“We both fought in the amateurs at 132lbs,” she noted.
Mayer has always aimed to challenge the top names in the welterweight division, and Ryan has been on her radar for quite some time.
Having recently experienced a controversial loss to Natasha Jonas, Mayer is eager to regain her momentum.
Should she emerge victorious against Ryan, she’s keen on pursuing rematches with both Jonas and Lauren Price to solidify her standing in the division.
The Road Ahead
“I would still really love that rematch with Jonas,” Mayer declared, highlighting her commitment to delivering exciting fights for her fans.
With her focus now firmly on the welterweight division, she’s ready to take on the best, beginning with Sandy Ryan and aiming to clean up the competition.
What’s next for Mayer could very well depend on how her fight unfolds on Friday night.
TDPel Media
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