Sandy Ryan is set to defend her WBO welterweight title in New York tonight against Mikaela Mayer over 10 rounds. This will be her third defense of the title she won in 2023. Following a draw with Jessica McCaskill in her last fight, Ryan attempted to add more belts to her collection but was unsuccessful.
A fourth-round retirement victory over Terri Harper, who is scheduled to fight in Sheffield tomorrow night, helped Ryan get back on track and secure this major opportunity. With a record of 7-1-1 and 3 KOs, Ryan will face Mayer, who holds a record of 19-2 with 5 KOs. Both fighters have been vocal in the lead-up to the bout, and their styles are expected to create an entertaining spectacle at the Garden.
Ryan is favored at odds of 4/5 to successfully defend her title, while Mayer is the underdog at 20/21. Mayer, a 24-year-old American, suffered a close defeat to Natasha Jonas in a January IBF title fight. The winner of tonight’s bout could be eyeing a unification challenge against Jonas in the future.
While Ryan has been competing in this weight class since turning professional in 2021, Mayer started her career in 2017 at super-featherweight, where she unified titles at 130 pounds before a controversial loss to Alycia Baumgardner. If Mayer gets sucked into close-range exchanges, abandoning her advantages in height, reach, and jab, Ryan’s strength at welterweight could prove decisive. This may give the fighter from Derby the edge in securing a victory by decision.
Boxing News Betting Tips
Sandy Ryan by Decision/Technical Decision @ 13/10
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