Mikaela Mayer has openly criticised Sandy Ryan’s decision to train with her former team, a move that led Mayer to switch coaches ahead of their WBO welterweight world title fight. Set to take place at Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York, the bout promises to be intense, with the two fighters clashing not only in the ring but also over training ethics.
Mayer and Ryan’s rivalry has reached new heights as they prepare to compete for the WBO welterweight title. Mayer expressed her discontent with Ryan joining her former training setup, forcing Mayer to find a new coach. Mayer remarked, “You knew I was coming to 147lbs, why would you move to America and start training under my team? That doesn’t make any sense. I just don’t care for the type of person she is.”
The situation was further complicated by Mayer’s former coach, Kay Koroma, who allowed Ryan into the training circle. Mayer stated, “Coach Kay was telling me: I’m not training Sandy, Flick [Savoy, his assistant] is. But also Kay should never have allowed her to come into that circle anyway.” Mayer felt betrayed but decided to move forward, saying, “She’s doing what she had to do and I’m doing what I’ve got to do. For me that’s moving on.”
Despite Ryan’s perceived advantage of training with Mayer’s former team, Mayer remains confident. She asserted, “Everyone thinks she has the advantage, training there, but I know exactly the type of workouts she’s going to be doing, exactly what coach Kay is going to have her working on. She’s vulnerable in that sense as well.” Mayer has since brought in new trainers, including Kofi Jantuah, and believes this change has significantly enhanced her capabilities. “Ultimately it was a blessing in disguise. I feel like I’ve levelled up,” she said. “He’s taught me more in the 10 weeks than Kay’s taught me in our whole time together.”
Mayer, who has previously held unified world champion status at super-featherweight, is now settling into the welterweight division with renewed vigour. She contends, “I already feel bigger and better and stronger than I’ve ever felt. I’m 34 this year and I’ve never felt this good. I want people to see it come fight night and they will.” While acknowledging Ryan’s skills, Mayer is confident in her experience and preparation. “I’m definitely the biggest, toughest opponent she’s ever had and it’s going to be on a bigger level than she’s ever been on. I’ve had to sit and I’ve had to fight for 10 hard rounds, I’ve had to box and I’ve had to move.”
Top Rank president Todd DuBoef offered his perspective, describing the bout as a 50/50 fight. “Mayer is fighting above the weight that she’s excelled at and was a champion, so I think this is going to be a big test and Ryan is a good puncher,” he noted. “I think Mikaela is probably the better boxer but when people start going up in weight things change drastically.”
The clash between Mikaela Mayer and Sandy Ryan extends beyond the ring, involving complex dynamics of training loyalty and personal ethics. As they prepare for their highly anticipated face-off, both fighters bring their own strengths and determination. The outcome will be revealed in the early hours of Saturday morning, live from Madison Square Garden Theatre.
