Two-weight queen Mikaela Mayer will defend her WBO welterweight world title in a rematch against former champion Sandy Ryan this Saturday in the BleauLive Theater at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas. Mayer (20-2, 5 KOs) edged Ryan (7-2-1, 3 KOs) via split decision following a chaotic pre-fight buildup last September, sparking calls for an immediate rematch.
Mikaela Mayer: “I’m sure she feels that {she will stop me}. I’m sure she felt that way in the last fight when she was saying that I’m not truly a welterweight. But I still sent her to the hospital with a concussion. If I did that then when I was new to welterweight, then I’m going to hurt her 10 times more this time around.”
Sandy Ryan: “I’ll be taking that belt back…I know that I’m a fighter. I would have never pulled out of the fight {after the paint incident}. I let people see what kind of person and fighter I am. Despite what they threw at me, I still got in there and put on a performance.”
In the co-feature, Brian Norman Jr. (26-0, 20 KOs) will make the inaugural defense of his WBO welterweight world championship against Puerto Rican challenger Derrieck Cuevas (27-1-1, 19 KOs).
Brian Norman Jr: “You’re not a real champion until you defend your title. And I’ve got a tough competitor ahead of me. I’m ready to prove myself…I hit hard. I got speed. I’m not going to get tired. I’ve got 12 rounds to beat you up if need be. You simply don’t have enough.”
Derrieck Cuevas: “He’s got the pressure. He’s got to look good because everyone knows that he didn’t get the belt by fighting a world champion. But, I’m ready. I hit hard. I’m strong…you’re a good fighter. But I’m stronger than you. I’m smarter than you. You will see Saturday night.”
Mayer-Ryan II and Norman-Cuevas will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN.
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