Mikaela Mayer Beats Mary Spencer and Picks up WBA, WBC, WBO Titles in Canada
(Photo by JP Yim)
By David A. Avila
Mikaela Mayer motored past Mary Spencer with a blizzard of punches to dethrone the WBA super welterweight titlist and capture the WBC and WBO titles in front of a Canadian audience on Thursday.
“Thank you Canada. I appreciate it” Mayer said.
For the first time in her pro career Mayer (22-2, 5 Kos) was facing a taller fighter in Canada’s Spencer (10-3, 6 Kos) a fighter known for a killer knockout punch. Adjustments had to be made in the city of Montreal.
“Usually, I am the taller fighter. I knew I had to come up with a big hook,” said Mayer.
From the first bell Mayer opened the fight behind a steady supply of accurate jabs. And once she found the range, left hooks and right hands rained over Spencer who seemed a little surprised by the output.
Mayer was on full-attack mode and was the aggressor in every round leading with a left jab. Though Spencer was getting out-punched she seemed to have confidence in landing the big blow. She tried early with the left hook and then the right uppercut. Nothing seemed to slow down Mayer.
The buzz saw was at full speed and Mayer was taking no time to pause. Though Spencer was the taller fighter and renown for power, Mayer did not seemed concerned and burrowed into the firing zone behind jabs and overhand rights.
Spencer just couldn’t seem to find her rhythm until the third round.
The match was similar to watching a race between a Formula 1 race and a super stock car. Both are fast but one was made for all the turns and stops in this fight for all the super welterweight world titles.
Spencer whacked away and had an especially good fifth round when she connected with her vaunted left hook that seemed to make Mayer take a good look at her. Then Mayer jumped right back into the fray with pistons pumping again.
Southern California’s Mayer was revving along at 8000 rpms while the opposition tried to keep up and couldn’t. Spencer continued looking for the big blow to reverse the course of the fight, but nothing seemed to work.
Mayer visibly slowed in the seventh round and for the first time in the match walked in with nary a punch. But when blows were exchanged back came the fury and combinations were unleashed by Mayer, and counter left hooks and uppercuts by Spencer who never quit but couldn’t match the output of Mayer.
During the last three rounds Mayer slowed the pace but still out-landed Spencer in the punch department. Mayer continued to show the same killer pace that allowed her to win multiple super featherweight titles and a welterweight title.
After 10 rounds all three judges saw Mayer the winner 100-90 and 98-92 twice. Mayer now holds the WBA, WBC, WBO super welterweight titles.
“I have options. I have to look back and talk to my team,” said Mayer about fighting for the welterweight titles and possibly becoming undisputed super welterweight champion.
“I think I’m a natural 147-pounder,” said Mayer adding that Spencer should be thanked too. “Mary didn’t have to take this fight so props to her. It was great experience for me. Let’s see how it goes.”