This Saturday night, Mikaela Mayer defeated Lucy Wildheart to become the new interim WBC lightweight champion and is now hoping to face the most difficult challenge the division has to offer.
In the 10 round co-main event of the Joe Joyce vs. Zhilei Zhang show at Copper Box Arena, Mayer prevailed with a unanimous decision, with scores of 98-92, 100-90 and 98-91.
I belong in big fights. I belong in world title fights: Mikaela Mayer
On Thursday Wildheart had no fight scheduled until Thursday, but was brought in as a late replacement for Christina Linardatou, and today, well prepared, she stepped into the ring to face the favorite and despite the loss, make a dignified presentation, which earned her the applaud from fans, and respect from her rival.
“She stepped in at the last minute, so that was really gutsy of her. It’s definitely a big fight for her to just jump in at 24 hours’ notice. But she was tough and durable. I see why she had the confidence to do that, so props to her,” said Mayer after the fight. “I like to fight on the inside, so once I knew that she couldn’t outbox me, I decided to take it to her a little bit and try to break her down to the body.”
Mayer has been making calls to lock horns against Katie Taylor- the current undisputed at 135, and while the Irishwoman is in the works for the highly anticipated Amanda Serrano rematch later this year, Mayer wants to face the winner of Taylor vs. Serrano 2.
“I do believe that Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano are supposed to go for their rematch, so assuming that still happens, I will challenge the winner of that. So, it’s definitely really exciting for me. This is where I belong. I belong in big fights. I belong in world title fights. I’m in my prime. I feel great, and I want the toughest challenges possible, and right now at 135, that’s Katie Taylor,” added Mayer. [H/T Boxingscene.com]
