Mikaela Mayer overcomes rough start in successful title defense
At the Virgins Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, Mikaela Mayer makes the first defense of the WBO World Women’s Super Featherweight title against former two-division womens’ world champ Erica Anabella Farias.
Displaying skills and talent in the ring and personality during interviews, Mayer is the prized women’s boxer within the Top Rank roster. The 30-year-old from Woodland Hills, California won the vacant WBO title when she defeated Ewa Brodnicka on October 31, 2020. With the opportunity to display her talents live in front of an ESPN audience, she has visions of becoming a superstar in women’s boxing.
She’s fighting a Farias who is the former WBC champion at 135 and 140 pounds. Experienced and tough as nails, it would be a mistake to overlook the 36-year-old from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
STRUGGLING EARLY
This was a fight that pitted the boxing skills of Mayer (15-0, 5 KOs) versus the aggression and experience of Farias (26-5, 10 KOs). Despite being at a disadvantage in both height and reach, Farias was able to time Mayer and land with overhand right hands and left hooks.
The challenger was also giving the champ different looks early in the fight. One moment she was aggressive. Then, she took a step back looking to counter with the left hook.
CHANGING TACTICS
Forced to adjust, Mayer became the aggressor in the fifth. She picked up the intensity and her punch rate. Based on the size disparity alone, Farias is susceptible to the uppercut. Mayer began to land with that punch up the middle as well as right hands to the body.
Despite her troubles early, the one consistent punch from the Californian was the jab. In the middle rounds, she began to use that punch to walk and chop down the Argentinian. Slowly but surely, Mayer started to dominate.
The late rounds saw the defending champ continue to pile it on. Farias kept fighting hard, but she didn’t have enough on this night. In the end, the champ coasted to a comfortable unanimous decision (97-93, 98-92, 98-92) victory.
Mayer has dreams of becoming the undisputed women’s world super featherweight champion. Based on tonight’s performance, she’s ready for any woman at 130 pounds.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
