Last night saw Britain’s Sandy Ryan (then 7-1-1) take her second-ever career defeat to Mikaela Mayer (then 19-2-0) for the WBO Welterweight title. The fight could’ve gone either way, with Mayer winning on a close majority decision. However, it is the bizarre incident before the fight that many are interested in.
As she left the hotel to make her way to the venue on fight night, Ryan – who was coming off an impressive win over Terri Harper – was attacked, with a bucket of red paint being thrown over her by what she claims was a member of Mayer’s team.
Mayer has since come out and stated ‘I would never go that far’ and ‘I’m very sorry that happened to her’.
In an interview before the fight, Ryan was asked, ‘Do you think it’s someone from her team?’ to which she replied ‘It’s got to be […] Who knew what time I was coming out my hotel to get to the venue?’
Eddie Hearn, Ryan’s promoter, stated that many advised Ryan to pull out of the fight following the incident, and that an investigation is currently underway.
Sandy Ryan Makes a Statement
Ryan has since taken to social media claiming ‘it’s pretty obvious what happened’ and that she and her team are ‘in contact with the NYPD’. In the statement Ryan also claims she believes she won the fight, with many fans agreeing Ryan was unlucky not to have got the decision, though no more unlucky than when she fought to a draw against Jessica McCaskill, which many felt was a robbery.
Ryan concludes her statement with the line, ‘You tried to ruin my career but trust me it’s only just begun’.
Eddie Hearn has stated that he is looking at a rematch with Mayer for Ryan, or possibly a fight against Chantelle Cameron next.
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