Jonas Retains IBF Welterweight Title in Controversial Split Decision
In a closely contested battle, Natasha Jonas successfully defended her IBF welterweight world championship against Mikaela Mayer, edging out a victory by split decision. The bout, which took place in Liverpool, spanned the full ten-round distance amid a backdrop of controversy over the judges' scorecards.At the end of an intense confrontation between two elite fighters, the scoring reflected the fight's competitive nature. While one judge scored the contest in favor of Mayer, the remaining two sided with Jonas, ultimately handing her the win. Despite the mixed opinions on the outcome, Jonas maintained that she had a clear edge, believing herself to be ahead by two rounds when the final bell rang.
"I thought I was comfortably two rounds up at the end," Jonas stated, reflecting on her performance. She acknowledged the tough competition provided by Mayer, saying, "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."
Mayer Expresses Disagreement Over Decision
Mikaela Mayer, on the other hand, expressed her disagreement with the judges' decision. The verdict has sparked debate among boxing fans and analysts, adding another chapter to the storied rivalry between these two competitors. Mayer's camp might feel aggrieved by the split decision, setting the stage for a potential rematch down the line.
Jonas Acknowledges Difficult Middle Rounds
Despite emerging victorious, Jonas admitted to facing challenges during the fight, particularly in the middle rounds where she felt she made things unnecessarily difficult for herself. "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," Jonas remarked, candidly assessing her own performance.
She further elaborated on the unpredictability of the sport, stating, "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."
Gallagher's Support and Jonas's Trust in Her Trainer
The champion also expressed unwavering trust in her trainer, Joe Gallagher, whose round-by-round judgment aligned with her own assessment of the fight. This mutual agreement between fighter and coach highlights the strong bond and strategic alignment within Team Jonas.
Potential Rematch and Future Opponents
Looking forward, Jonas appears open to the idea of a rematch with Mayer, acknowledging it as a viable option. "Of course that will be an option," she confirmed when discussing her future endeavors. However, before any decisions are made, Jonas plans to evaluate all opportunities on the table alongside her team.
"We're going to sit down and see what opportunities are available and I'll choose the best one for me," Jonas said, outlining her approach to selecting her next opponent. The list of potential adversaries includes not only Mayer but also notable figures such as Lauren Price, Jessica McCaskill, and Katie Taylor. "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 explained, demonstrating her readiness to face any of these formidable challengers.
With respect for the professional journey both she and Mayer have taken, Jonas remains focused on her career trajectory, ready to take on whoever stands in her path as she continues to build her legacy in women's boxing.
In conclusion, the aftermath of Jonas vs. Mayer has left the boxing community buzzing with anticipation for what's next. Whether it leads to a direct rematch or new matchups against other top contenders, Natasha Jonas has solidified her position as a premier athlete in the welterweight division, ready to prove her mettle against the best in the sport.