British boxer Sandy Ryan is demanding an immediate rematch with American fighter Mikaela Mayer after a tumultuous lead-up to their bout in New York City last weekend, which was marred by a shocking incident involving a can of red paint.
Mayer claimed the WBO welterweight title from Ryan with a closely contested majority decision in their match held at Madison Square Garden.
In an unsettling pre-fight event, the 31-year-old Ryan was doused in red paint while walking from her hotel to the venue.
On Monday, Ryan revealed she had faced not just the paint attack, but also a series of threats and a “disgraceful smear campaign” on the day of the fight. She alleged that “defamatory” flyers were circulated before and after the bout and that her team received menacing messages, prompting her to consider leaving New York for her personal safety.
After claiming victory, the 34-year-old Mayer expressed her surprise regarding the paint incident, firmly stating it had no connection to her or her entourage.
In a statement shared on her social media, Ryan insisted, “Given the circumstances, I believe that an immediate rematch should be scheduled. I felt the fight was competitive, and I truly believe I did enough to keep my title. ESPN had me winning by two rounds, and several credible boxing analysts agreed with my performance.”
The judges scored the match with two in favor of Mayer at 97-93 and 96-94, while a third judge submitted a 95-95 draw.
Ryan and Mayer, who have known each other since their amateur boxing days, have been drawn into a heated rivalry, fueled by tensions over training arrangements after Ryan began training at Mayer’s gym in the U.S.
The atmosphere turned contentious during their pre-fight press conference, with both fighters exchanging barbs.
In reflection after Saturday’s fight, Ryan admitted she “shouldn’t have fought” after the unsettling paint incident but clarified that withdrawing from the match was never an option for her.
She mentioned that the New York Police Department (NYPD) is looking into the incidents, although the police had not publicly confirmed this to BBC Sport.
“I’ve worked too hard to let such petty behavior deter me from a fight, especially one that allowed me to fulfill the dream of headlining at Madison Square Garden live on ESPN,” Ryan asserted. “My dedication to boxing is unwavering, and this sport deserves far better than such thuggery.”
Ryan concluded with a defiant note, stating, “I promise that these incidents will not break me; instead, they’ve fueled my determination to make a lasting impact in the world of boxing.”
Credit: BBC Sport
