Mikaela Mayer Looking for KOs in OK City on Saturday

By David A. Avila

Since signing a professional contract Mikaela Mayer has blitzed the prizefighting world like one of her speedy three-punch combinations and already has five wins in five bouts in less than 12 months.

Mayer (5-0, 3 KOs) seeks her sixth win when she faces Canada’s Sheena Kaine (5-0) at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City on Saturday June 30. The super featherweight fight is part of the Top Rank card and will be shown on ESPN app.

“I’ve never been nor have I fought in Oklahoma City so this is my first time,” said Mayer by phone from the home of NBA team Oklahoma City Thunder. “All I know is its hot as hell.”

One more thing: Mayer promises to bring more heat to Kaine.

“My last fight that went six rounds was definitely great experience. First off, I know that I can go six rounds no problem,” said Mayer, 27, whose birthday is July 4. “If Kaine has a tough chin and won’t go down, I’ll push the pace until the end. So I hope she’s in shape.”

Both fighters are very tall for the 132-pound contracted weight limit for this fight. Although Mayer could easily fight at 135-pound lightweight limit, she has other desires.

“This is a 132-pound fight. I plan on going down to 130 this year to start capturing some belts,” she said including a world title strap.

After the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, the Southern California blonde opted to stay as an amateur and strive toward capturing a medal in the next Olympic Games. But after watching her teammate Claressa Shields find success in the professional ranks and getting an offer from Top Rank, the model-looking Mayer signed a contract last August and in less than a year will have six fights on her resume.

What the boxing world quickly discovered was the eye-catching boxer has eye-catching speed and power. Three knockouts in five bouts have shown that despite years of fighting as an amateur, she did not pick up bad habits usually seen among slap-happy former amateur boxers accustomed to sacrificing power for speed.

Under the guidance of Al Mitchell and other members of her pro team Mayer has transitioned into one of the deadlier punching females in the fight game.

“I’ve been fighting back to back and I’m in great shape. I want to stop Kaine on Saturday night, but if I don’t, we’re going to be swinging hard for six rounds,” said Mayer. “Don’t miss it.”

Mayer has big plans and is eager to add to her growing highlight reel of knockouts.

“I want to prove that there is a big market for female boxing. I’m thankful to Top Rank for the way that they’re moving me and putting me on these great cards,” Mayer said to the media. “I can’t wait to be headlining a card in the future.”

She’s a woman on a mission.

(Photo by JP Yim)