Mayer Successfully Defends WBO Super Featherweight Title
By Al Applerose
LAS VEGAS-Champion Mikaela Mayer continued her trek towards world domination in defending her WBO super featherweight title with a unanimous decision over former two-time world champion Erica Farias of Argentina on Saturday.
WBO super featherweight titlist Mayer (15-0, 5 KOs) made her first defense of the title, but it wasn’t easy. Farias (26-5, 10 KOs), a former lightweight and super lightweight world champion made sure of that in front of a full-capacity crowd at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The fight was broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN+.
At the weigh in a day before, Farias, who at 128.2 lbs., had come down two weight classes since 2018. Mikaela weighed in at a sleek 129.8 lbs.
Pre-fight comments from the Mayer camp reflected anticipation that Farias would come out very aggressive, dictating that the champ must be ready.
For the first two rounds, the 30-year-old Mayer of Los Angeles, CA, did indeed encounter a very aggressive Farias, 36. The taller Mayer neutralized that aggressiveness with her long, lanky, far reaching style.
A tough, experienced Farias, however, was able to catch Mayer and knock her slightly off balance in the second round. Farias’ solid counter punching during the many tough exchanges throughout the fight, was enough to give Farias the 3rd round on two of the judge’s scorecards.
The fourth through sixth rounds showed Mayer finding her range and timing, hitting Farias body and head with an aggressive style of her own. The Argentinian was beginning to retreat during the last minute of the rounds.
The seventh round marked the last gasp from Farias. The round had many even exchanges with Mayer moving forward, then Farias answering with solid counters, not backing up. All three judges scored the round for Farias.
From that point on, Mayer started to track Farias down, landing overhand rights and body shots. Farias was game, trying to continue the toe-to-toe exchanges. Mayer, however, quelled the attacks as they came. She was definitely, a very fresh fighter and it showed.
It was a very satisfying night for Mayer all around. This was the first time since the Covid situation has taken hold over a year ago that her father, sisters and friends were able to actually attend one of her fights.
She is now scheduled to fight IBF 130-lb champ Maïva Hamadouch later this year to unify the WBO & IBF titles.
“I was just waiting to get through this fight to get to Maiva. Remind her that I’ll see her soon.”
After the 10 hard fought rounds, two judges had it 98-92 while the third scored it 97-93.
Mayer is one of four super featherweight titlists that are headed for a showdown hopefully before the end of 2021. It’s one of the best divisions in female prizefighting.
(Photo by Al Applerose)