Mikaela Mayer Shows A Class Difference In Win Over Jennifer Han
Unified junior lightweight champion Mikaela Mayer (17-0, 5Ko) made the third defense of the title against former IBF featherweight champion Jennifer Han (18-5-1, 1ko). Now it’s time to look towards undisputed as she has wanted to do for quite a while.
Mayer was on the hunt for then WBC champion Terri “Belter” Harper. However, she has now placed a target on the back of the new WBC champion, Alycia Baumgardner, after her knockout of Harper back in November 2021.
Both champions have engaged in heated back-and-forth interactions on social media. Moreover, Mayer expressed being on a timetable for becoming undisputed in 2022 because she wants to move up to pursue the winner of the blockbuster fight between undisputed lightweight champion Katie “KT” Taylor and seven-divisional champion Amanda Serrano set to take place on April 30.
RELATED: Mikaela Mayer: “I Want To Challenge The Taylor vs Serrano Winner!”
ADJUSTING TO AN AWKWARD STYLE
Han immediately came out looking to fight at levels using her experience to make the fight difficult for Mayer. She was able to use her smaller stature to get low and land the overhand right. Mayer would use that long jab as a range finder before landing a right hand to the body followed by a left hook.
The champion suffered a cut above the left eye from a headbutt and tried to adjust to the awkward style of Han by cranking the jab. However, the former champ used good movement to attack in spots making it hard for the unified champion to find a groove.
In round four, Mayer found that gear as she landed a left hook that drew blood from Han’s nose. Like a shark smelling blood, the unified champion went on the attack, pinning the challenger against the ropes and unloaded back to back punishing right hands until the bell sounded.
THE LEFT HAND WAS THE KEY
Mayer took control of the fight with the best punch in boxing: the jab and used it to perfection. Everything was built off that punch as she would transition into a left hook that kept Han’s nose pouring with blood.
Towards the end of the fight, Mayer started going to the body and landed a hard right hand off the jab for most of the second half of the fight. In the last two remaining rounds, the champ landed hard right hands that briefly had Han wobbled. Regardless, but the former champion fought on bravely until the final bell.
Going to the judges’ scorecards, two scored it 100-90, and one had it 99-91 all in favor of the champion. During the post-fight interview, she made it clear that if a unification can’t happen with Baumgardner or WBA champion Hyun Mi Choi, she wants the winner of Taylor and Serrano.
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By: Garrisson Bland
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