The boxing world was gripped by a dramatic and controversial encounter on September 27, 2024, as Britain’s Sandy Ryan (then 7-1-1, 3 KOs) defended her WBO Welterweight title against American challenger Mikaela Mayer (then 19-2-0, 5 KOs) at Madison Square Garden in New York. The highly anticipated bout, which saw Mayer claim the title via a close majority decision, was overshadowed by a bizarre pre-fight incident that ignited a fierce rivalry and left many questions unanswered.
The Controversial Pre-Fight Incident
Hours before she was set to make her third defense of the WBO 147 lbs title, Sandy Ryan, who had been coming off an impressive fourth-round technical knockout win over former two-division world champion Terri Harper in March 2024, was attacked. As she left her hotel to make her way to the venue, a bucket of red paint was thrown over her. Ryan claimed the perpetrator was a member of Mayer’s team, an accusation that immediately fueled the already simmering tensions between the two camps.
Mayer, a 2016 U.S. Olympian and former unified junior lightweight world champion, had recently moved up to welterweight after a controversial split decision loss to IBF welterweight champion Natasha Jonas in January 2024. She quickly denied any involvement in the paint attack, stating, ‘I would never go that far’ and ‘I’m very sorry that happened to her’. However, Ryan remained convinced of her opponent’s team’s culpability. In an interview before the fight, when asked, ‘Do you think it’s someone from her team?’ Ryan replied, ‘It’s got to be […] Who knew what time I was coming out my hotel to get to the venue?’
The incident, which left Ryan visibly shaken and necessitated a wardrobe change, added an unprecedented layer of drama to the championship bout. Eddie Hearn, Ryan’s promoter, revealed that many advised Ryan to pull out of the fight following the incident, and that an investigation was immediately launched by the NYPD.
The Fight and Its Immediate Aftermath
Despite the unsettling pre-fight events, Ryan chose to proceed with the fight, though she later admitted the attack disrupted her focus and impacted her game plan, causing her to “fight in anger.” The fight itself was a closely contested affair, with both fighters exchanging powerful blows. Mayer, with her experience and technical skill, utilized her jab and movement to control the early rounds. Ryan, known for her aggressive style and knockout power (3 KOs in 7 wins before this fight), pressed forward, landing significant body shots and left hooks in the middle rounds.
Ultimately, Mikaela Mayer was declared the winner by majority decision, with scorecards reading 95-95, 97-93, and 96-94. This victory marked Mayer’s acquisition of the WBO welterweight title, making her a two-division world champion. Ryan, however, felt she had done enough to retain her title, a sentiment echoed by many fans who believed she was unlucky not to get the decision. This echoed her previous controversial split decision draw against Jessica McCaskill in September 2023, where many felt Ryan had been robbed of a unified world championship.
Sandy Ryan Makes a Statement and the Call for a Rematch
Following the loss and the controversial circumstances, Ryan took to social media, claiming ‘it’s pretty obvious what happened’ and that she and her team were ‘in contact with the NYPD’ regarding the paint attack. In her statement, Ryan also maintained her belief that she won the fight. Ryan concluded her statement with the defiant line, ‘You tried to ruin my career but trust me it’s only just begun’.
Eddie Hearn, recognizing the contentious nature of the first bout and the significant public interest, immediately stated his intention to pursue a rematch with Mayer for Ryan, or potentially a fight against Chantelle Cameron next.
The Rematch and Future Implications for the Welterweight Division
The highly anticipated rematch between Mikaela Mayer and Sandy Ryan for the WBO Welterweight title was officially announced and took place on March 29, 2025, at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas. The build-up to the second fight was again marked by verbal sparring, though without a repeat of the physical altercation. Ryan, with a professional record of 7-2-1 (3 KOs) going into the rematch, expressed her determination for revenge, stating she would be “fully prepared for whatever comes my way” and aiming to reclaim her world title.
In the rematch, Mayer once again emerged victorious, this time by a more decisive unanimous decision with scorecards of 98-92, 97-93, and 97-93. Mayer (now 21-2, 5 KOs) asserted her dominance, utilizing her jab and power shots to control the action, while Ryan (now 7-3-1, 3 KOs) continued to press forward. Mayer’s adjustments, including increased aggression and output, proved effective, as she outworked Ryan throughout the fight. This second victory solidified Mayer’s reign as the WBO Welterweight Champion and effectively settled the heated rivalry, at least for now.
With two wins over Ryan, Mikaela Mayer has now set her sights on unifying the welterweight division. She has expressed a strong desire for a unification bout with Lauren Price, who holds the IBF, WBA, and WBC titles, after Price’s recent victory over Natasha Jonas in March 2025. This potential clash would be a significant event for women’s boxing, as Mayer aims to add more hardware to her collection and establish herself as the undisputed champion at 147 pounds. For Sandy Ryan, the two losses to Mayer mark a setback, but her resilience and fighting spirit suggest she will continue to be a formidable presence in the welterweight division, seeking new challenges and opportunities to reclaim a world title.
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