The Controversial Prelude to Mayer vs. Ryan

As the boxing world gears up for the highly anticipated rematch between Mikaela Mayer and Sandy Ryan, the controversy surrounding their first encounter continues to make headlines. The incident, which involved a can of red paint being thrown at Ryan before their September bout in New York, has fueled the rivalry between these two elite fighters.

Mayer, the reigning WBO welterweight champion, firmly denies any involvement in the paint attack. In her own words:

"Everyone who knows me knows that would be out of character for me - it's not my style. You can't just point a finger when there is no evidence leading back to me."

Fight Night Fallout and Suspicion

The incident created chaos before their first bout, with Ryan's team considering pulling out of the fight. Mayer recalls:

"There was a clip of her coach Kay Koroma in the locker room screaming at her to pull out of the fight which I thought was super suspicious."

Despite the drama, Mayer remained focused and went on to win by majority decision, with one judge scoring it a draw.

The Rematch: A Chance to Settle the Score

The rematch, set for Las Vegas, promises to deliver another explosive chapter in this growing rivalry. Mayer acknowledges the importance of such matchups for women's boxing:

"It's important for women's boxing to have these rivalries and this is definitely up there as one of the top ones."

While Mayer didn't have to grant Ryan a rematch, she chose to do so, stating:

"I could have just sat it out, waited for Lauren Price to unify and fought for undisputed or faced someone else. That's not the fighter I am though."

The Promotion and Moving Forward

The incident, now dubbed "Paint-gate," has even been used in promotional material for the rematch. Mayer admits she was surprised but understands the entertainment aspect of the sport:

"I was just as taken aback as anyone else, but it's kind of funny."

As fight night approaches, Mayer is confident:

"I have truth on my side."

This rematch not only offers Ryan a chance at redemption but also cements Mayer's reputation as a champion willing to face all challenges head-on.