Natasha Jonas Retains Title in Split Decision Over Mayer
Jonas Defends Title in Controversial Victory Over Mayer
In a closely contested battle, Natasha Jonas successfully defended her IBF welterweight world championship against American contender Mikaela Mayer with a split decision win. The championship fight, which took place in Liverpool, spanned the full ten-round distance, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats until the final bell.
The judges' scorecards were the subject of debate as soon as they were read out. While one judge scored the bout in favor of Mayer, the remaining two sided with Jonas, sealing her victory. Despite the split in opinion among the judges, Jonas was confident in her performance, feeling she had secured the win by a margin of two rounds.
Jonas's Reflections on the Fight
Reflecting on her triumph, Jonas expressed a sense of satisfaction with the outcome, even though she acknowledged making things difficult for herself during the middle segments of the fight. "I thought I was comfortably two rounds up at the end," Jonas stated. She elaborated on the nature of the sport and how outcomes can sometimes be unpredictable. "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."
Her comments highlight the often subjective nature of scoring in boxing, where even a less-than-perfect performance can still result in a win. "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," Jonas remarked.
Trusting Her Corner
Jonas also spoke highly of her trainer, Joe Gallagher, whose round-by-round judgment corroborated her own assessment of the fight. This mutual agreement between boxer and coach underscores the importance of a strong team dynamic in the sport.
Potential Rematch and Future Opponents
When discussing what lies ahead, Jonas indicated her openness to a rematch with Mayer, stating, "Of course that will be an option." However, she intends to carefully consider all opportunities before selecting her next challenger. "We're going to sit down and see what opportunities are available and I'll choose the best one for me," she explained.
Jonas's potential roster of opponents includes notable figures such as Lauren Price, Jessica McCaskill, and Katie Taylor, each bringing their own unique challenges to the ring. With respect to her decision-making process, Jonas emphasized, "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."
Mutual Respect Between Competitors
Despite the competitive nature of their encounter, Jonas expressed respect for the professional journey both she and Mayer have undertaken. She praised their shared background, noting, "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, on her part, disagreed with the decision, adding another layer of intrigue to their rivalry and potentially setting the stage for a future rematch that would surely capture the attention of boxing fans around the world.
Conclusion
The aftermath of the Jonas-Mayer bout leaves the boxing community with much to discuss. The controversial decision, Jonas's candid reflections on her performance, and the prospect of high-caliber matchups on the horizon all contribute to an exciting time in women's boxing. As Jonas mulls over her options, the anticipation builds for what promises to be an enthralling next chapter in her career.
