Mayer vs Ryan rematch set for Mar. 29 in Las Vegas

Mikaela Mayer and Sandy Ryan will run back their entertaining September battle this coming spring with Brian Norman Jr and Bruce Carrington in the supporting cast

Top Rank announced today that welterweight rivals Mikaela Mayer and Sandy Ryan will run back last September’s split decision atop a March 29th ESPN show at Las Vegas’ Fontainebleau.

After a four-fight tour in England in which she dropped controversial split decisions to Alycia Baumgardner and Natasha Jonas, Mayer (20-2, 5 KO) welcomed Ryan (7-2-1, 3 KO) to Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater last September. A hard-fought 10-rounder saw Mayer edge Ryan out to claim the WBO title by majority decision, though the win came saddled with some controversy after a bizarre pre-fight incident where someone dumped paint on Ryan’s pants in a drive-by.

I personally think the incident and its potential effects on Ryan’s mindset are overblown, but regardless of the complaint’s substance, this is the best way to put it to rest. It also tees the winner up to fight the winner of Jonas’ March 7th fight with Lauren Price for all four belts.

“I’ve never been one to shy away from challenges. I could have taken my belt and moved on, but it was a highly entertaining fight, and if this is what the fans want, then that’s what I’ll give them,” Mayer said. “I have stayed in the gym and am getting better every day. It will be worse for Sandy this time, but regardless, expect another action-packed fight.”

“As crazy as this sounds after what happened last time in New York, I am actually looking forward to returning to the U.S.,” Ryan said. “I’ve had some remarkable, history-making fights here already, so the opportunity to come back and showcase my talent while headlining in the fight capital of the world is amazing.

“This time, I will be fully prepared for whatever comes my way. I’m not making any excuses, but after what happened before the fight last time, I did fight in anger, and it clearly affected my performance. But it was a great fight and did great numbers for ESPN, so that’s why Mayer had to take this rematch. It’s the biggest fight for both of us, and everyone wants to see it again. On March 29, the world will see a focused, determined, and talented fighter in the shape of her life, and I will reclaim my world title.

“I want to thank my promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom, my manager Brian Peters, and Bob Arum for getting the rematch done. It will be another amazing fight for women’s boxing and boxing in general, and I look forward to reclaiming my title.”

The co-feature, originally slated for November, sees WBO welterweight champ Brian Norman Jr (26-0, 20 KO) make his inaugural defense against Derrieck Cuevas (27-1-1, 19 KO). The extra aging hasn’t made it any more appealing; Cuevas is desperately short on top-level experience and hasn’t fought at all since December of 2023.

Hopefully this is just a preamble for a crack at the Jaron Ennis vs Eimantas Stanionis winner. Negotiations between Norman and “Boots” broke down over finances last year, but a three-belt unification may prove more enticing.

Norman said, “Fighting for a championship belt is every fighter’s dream, so I know Cuevas is training as hard as possible for this fight. He is a tough competitor who brings everything he has to win this fight. That said, as the WBO champion, I can guarantee a spectacular performance come March 29.”

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to fight in Las Vegas for a world title,” Cuevas said, “That’s the dream of every fighter. I respect Norman, but on March 29, a new champion will be crowned.”

Top Rank golden boy Bruce Carrington (14-0, 8 KO) rounds out the main card in a “WBC final eliminator” opposite Jose Enrique Vivas (23-3, 12 KO). As I mentioned in the Osleys Iglesias vs Luka Plantic piece, the WBC hasn’t updated its rankings in over a month, but it’s worth noting that Vivas is nowhere in the featherweight top 15 and has no business magically appearing there. He’s 2-2 in his last four and his only win in nearly two years came over a 20-18 warm body on a nine-fight losing streak.

I’m not even sure what the point of that eliminator is when Carrington is already no. 1 with the WBO, which presumably sets up an in-house title fight with Rafael Espinoza. Securing the top spot with the WBC means negotiations with the out-of-network winner of Brandon Figueroa vs Stephen Fulton 2.