Mikaela Mayer Back in London and More News
(Photo by Al Applerose)
By David A. Avila
Mikaela Mayer returns to action after enduring a narrow split-decision defeat and welcoming her back will be another former world champion Christina Linardatou this weekend.
But this time as lightweights.
For the second time in less than a year Mayer (17-1, 5 Kos) returns to London and will be facing a tough foe in Linardatou (14-2, 6 Kos) at Copper Box Arena this Saturday April 15. ESPN+ will stream the nontitle fight.
Mayer asked for a tough foe and got it.
“Get it against a top contender, said Mayer on social media. “I want a quality opponent.”
Few have better qualifications than Linardatou a former WBO super lightweight world titlist and the only fighter that has a win over current undisputed super featherweight world champion Alycia Baumgardner.
Linardatou’s only losses were to Katie Taylor and Delfine Persoon.
Just last October, in a top-heavy female boxing card Mayer clashed with Baumgardner in a strategic 10-round battle that ended with neither taking full charge. Each fighter had their moments and each felt they won in the end.
Baumgardner was deemed the winner.
Linardatou handed Baumgardner a split decision loss back in July 2018. It was a boxing card promoted by Evander Holyfield and gave many their first glimpse of their contrasting styles. That night Linardatou’s hard-charging style prevailed over Baumgardner’s counter-punching.
When Mayer and Linardatou face each other on Saturday, it will be Mayer’s aggressive boxer-puncher style versus Linardatou’s constant charges.
After several years of cutting down to 130 pounds, Mayer can now add a few more pounds to her tall frame. Photos of her workouts revealed a healthier and stronger looking fighter.
Will it be an advantage or weakness?
Linardatou is managed by Brian Cohen who works with numerous top female fighters such as Ebanie Bridges, Mary McGee, Melissa Odessa Parker and Kali Reis to name a few. She has plenty of sparring to prepare for the tall challenge of Mayer.
Mayer has faced a similar offensive force in the past such as when she fought Maiva Hamadouche back in November 2021 in Las Vegas. A win by either fighter ramps up their status even more than a meager defense of a world title.
“Women are going up two or three divisions to make the biggest fights possible because that’s the only way to make women’s boxing bigger,” said Mayer, echoing several other top female fighters such as Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano and a few others.
Claressa and Hanna 2
Pound for pound queen Claressa Shields (13-0, 2 Kos) will be rematching Hanna Gabriels (21-2-1, 12 Kos) in Detroit on June 3, announced Salita Promotions.
It’s been nearly five years since they first met in the prize ring. Costa Rica’s Gabriels was the first and only fighter to ever drop Shields in a match. Not even mighty Savannah Marshall could duplicate the feat. Still, Shields won the fight handily.
Since that first encounter, Shields has become undisputed middleweight and super welterweight world champion. Very few opponents have even managed to win a round.
Gabriels recently won the light heavyweight world title by knockout over Martha Lara Gaytan two years ago. She has not fought since then with numerous proposed fights evaporating for one reason or another.
Creator Clash
A number of social media influencers are participating in Creator Clash 2 boxing event this Saturday April 15, at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. It will also be shown on pay-per-view with all profits going toward charity. www.thecreatorclash.com
Among the women participating are AbelinaSabrina, Star killa, Michelle Khare, Andrea Botez, Alanah Pearce, Marisha Ray, Haley Sharpe, and Jaelaray. There are also numerous men slated to fight including a pro match.
Most of the women influencers have never put gloves on before and have been preparing since last September. It’s interesting to see how far they have improved in that time. It’s worth taking a look.
More Fight News
Argentina
Jaqueline Giuliana (5-0) defeated Morena Ludmila (0-2) by decision after four rounds on Saturday April 8. The bantamweight fight was held at La Plata.
Aldana Lopez (8-0) won by decision after six rounds versus Maria Luz Echenique (1-5) on Saturday April 9. The super flyweight bout was held at Lanus.
Laura Griffa (20-8) won by majority decision after 10 rounds against Marianela Ramirez (11-8-2) on Saturday April 8. The South American super bantamweight title fight was held at Oncativo.
Yamila Belen (16-6-1) defeated Pamela Benavidez (10-13-3) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday April 8. The Argentina super lightweight title fight was held at Cutral Co.
On Saturday April 15, super lightweights Yamila Reynoso (12-13-3) and Sofia Rodriguez (5-8) meet 10 rounds for the South American title at General Villegas.
On Saturday April 15, flyweights Romina Sosa (3-2-4) and Camila Avaca (2-3-2) meet six rounds at Mar del Plata.
Australia
On Friday April 14, super middleweights Chloe Tarczon (0-1) and Inise Kaunimara (1-2) meet four rounds at Flemington.
Austria
Maryna Malovana (5-0) defeated Aleksandra Vujovic (5-24-2) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Monday April 3. The super lightweight fight was held in Vienna.
France
Eva Debacker (4-2) beat Barbora Mayerova (1-2) by split decision after six rounds on Saturday April 8. The lightweight fight took place at Bethune.
Sofia Nabet (4-0) won by unanimous decision after six rounds against Ksenija Medic (3-26-2) on Saturday April 8. The welterweight fight was held at Aulnay sois Bois.
Germany
On Saturday April 15, super bantamweights Maja Milenkovic (10-11) and Dunja Bocan (0-2) meet four rounds at Mecklenburg.
Japan
Sana Hazuki (9-8-1) knocked out Watcharaporn Namphon (4-1) in the third round on Sunday April 9. The atomweight fight took place at Fukuoka. Also, featherweight Nodoka Furukawa (2-0) beat Yukiko Ijuin (0-1-1) by decision after four rounds.
Marina Loreto (6-0-1) defeated Sarasa Ichimura (4-12-1) by decision after six rounds on Sunday April 9. The Japanese minimumweight title fight took place at Toyonaka.
On Saturday April 15, atomweights Sumire Yamanaka (6-0) and Pimchanok Thepjanda (4-1) meet eight rounds at Osaka. Also, atomweights Kanyarat Nunoi (3-1) vs Kaori Nagai (6-5-3); bantamweights Terumi Nuki (12-5) vs Myung Eun Lee (2-3-2), Kim Actub (8-10-1) vs Aka Ringo (3-1); and super flyweights Miku Nagasaki (0-2) vs Kaho Munetoshi (1-0).
On Sunday April 16, atomweights Noa Sakamoto (3-0) and Muthita Iamsaard (2-0) meet six rounds at Osaka.
Mexico
On Friday April 14, featherweights Estefania Gonzalez (5-6) and Itzel Reyes (3-9-2) meet six rounds at Bahia de Banderas, Nayarit.
On Saturday April 15, super flyweights Paulette Valenzuela (15-2) and Kumora Badillo (7-5-1) meet eight rounds at Guadalajara.
Netherlands
Abbygail Deekman (1-0) knocked out Natasha Boyes (0-4) in the first round on Saturday April 8. The flyweight fight took place at Rotterdam.
Nicaragua
On Saturday April 15, bantamweights Luisa Vallejos (0-1) and Marcela Sanchez (0-1) meet four rounds at Managua.
South Korea
Ryu Kyung Suh (5-0-1) knocked out Huishuang Chi (0-2) in the third round on Sunday April 9. The minimumweight fight took place at Hwaseong.
Switzerland
Laura Wollenman (6-1) beat Brenda Vasquez (2-2-1) by decision after six rounds on Saturday April 8. The flyweight match was held in Berne.
On Friday April 14, lightweights Gabriela Timar (8-1) and Giorgia Scholastri (3-1) meet 10 rounds for the EBU title at Basel.
Taiwan
Pei Yi Wu (2-0) knocked out Suwanun Antanai (4-9) in the third round on Saturday April 8. The super featherweight fight took place at Taipei.
Thailand
Sarah Watt (3-3-1) knocked out Patthamaporn Chiamchanyong (0-2) in the third round on Sunday April 9. The super flyweight contest was held at Pathum Thani. Also, featherweight Skye Falzon (5-2) beat Pattarawan Thaosuwan (8-2) by decision after six.
United Kingdom
On Friday April 14, super bantamweights Lisa Whiteside (5-0) and Tysie Gallagher (5-1) meet 10 rounds for the Commonwealth title at London, England.
On Saturday April 15, lightweights Mikaela Mayer (17-1) and Christina Linardatou (14-2) meet 10 rounds at London, England.
On Saturday April 15, super featherweights Chelsey Arnell (1-1-1) and Amy Greatorex (0-1) meet six rounds at Hull, England.
USA
Gabriela Fundora (11-0) defeated Maria Santizo (11-3) by decision after eight rounds on Saturday April 8. The flyweight fight took place at Carson, Calif.
Katherine Lindenmuth (4-1) knocked out Takilla Long (0-1) in the second round on Saturday April 8. The minimumweight fight took place at Albuquerque, New Mexico.
On Friday April 14, super flyweights Gloria Munguia (2-0) and Nikkia Williams (0-0) meet four rounds at Commerce, Calif. UFC Fight Pass will stream the 360 Promotion fight card at Commerce Casino.
On Saturday April 15, featherweights Melissa Holguin (3-0) and Carmen Vargas (3-1-1) meet six rounds for a regional title at San Antonio, Texas.
On Sunday April 16, featherweights Mirari Vivar (5-0) and Jennifer Miranda (8-0) meet six rounds at Frisco, Texas.