Mikaela Mayer Looking to Challenge Katie Taylor for the Lightweight Championship
It was an impressive lightweight debut for former unified women’s junior lightweight champion Mikaela Mayer (18-0, 5 KOs) as she scored an easy unanimous decision win over Lucy Wildheart. In the process, Mayer captured the vacant WBC Interim title at 135. Mayer’s next goal is a showdown against undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor (22-0, 6 KOs). Feeling that she is among the best in the world, Mayer expanded on why she wants a battle with Taylor during the post-fight interview.
“I do believe that Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano are supposed to go for their rematch. So, assuming that still happens . . . then I’ll challenge the winner of that. This is where I belong. I belong in big fights; I belong in world title fights.
I’m in my prime. I feel great. So, I want the toughest challenges possible, and right now, that’s Katie Taylor.”
MOVING ONWARD AND UPWARD
The victory over Wildheart was Mayer’s first fight since a bitter split-decision loss to Alycia Baumgardner in a junior lightweight unification showdown in October 2022. For months, Mayer openly campaigned for a rematch with Baumgardner. But it appears that will not happen anytime soon.
So, Mayer has decided to direct her attention to Taylor. The undisputed lightweight champion has an upcoming showdown at 140 pounds against undisputed junior welterweight champion Chantelle Cameron on May 20 in Dublin, Ireland. Win or lose against Cameron, the expectation is that Taylor’s next fight will be the rematch with Serrano.
Mayer will be in the cut, waiting. One of the top names in women’s boxing, the 32-year-old can afford to be patient. Look for her to make at least one defense of the Interim title while Taylor gets her business out of the way. If everything goes to plan, Mayer hopes a fight with Taylor will occur in early 2024.
