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Natasha Jonas Defends Welterweight World Title Against
Mikaela Mayer In Liverpool Jan. 20
Two-weight world champion Natasha Jonas will defend her IBF
welterweight world title against former unified world
champion Mikaela Mayer in a landmark night for women’s
boxing as two of the sport's biggest stars meet on Saturday,
Jan. 20 at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England, live on
ESPN+ in the U.S. and Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland.
Jonas (14-2-1, 9 KOs) will be making the first defense of
the IBF crown she claimed with an emphatic stoppage win over
Canadian Kandi Wyatt earlier this year, having previously
unified the WBC, WBO and IBF junior middleweight world
titles.
Standing in the opposite corner will be U.S. star Mayer
(19-1, 5 KOs), a fellow Olympian and the former IBF, WBO,
and Ring Magazine junior lightweight world champion. The Los
Angeles native was one of the stars of BOXXER’s historic
women’s night last year, and after capturing the WBC interim
lightweight world title earlier this year, Mayer will be
moving up in weight once again.
Newly crowned British champion Jack Cullen also returns to
action in Liverpool, defending his Lonsdale strap against
former foe Zak Chelli. Cullen (22-4-1, 10 KOs) scored a
memorable third-round TKO win over Mark Heffron in September
to claim the British and Commonwealth titles. ‘Little
Leaver’s Meat Cleaver’ will now square off against former
English Champion Chelli (14-2-1, 7 KOs) in a repeat of their
all-action 2020 contest that ended in a draw.
“I’m so excited to be fighting back in Liverpool in my first
headline show and in the biggest fight of my career so far,”
Jonas said. “It’s my fifth world title fight with BOXXER, in
my backyard, and I’m ready for it. It’s Mikaela Mayer, she
stretches above and beyond the UK shores. ‘Miss GB’ versus
‘Miss USA’ and may the best woman win!”
Mayer said, “These are the types of matchups boxing needs. I
am feeling better than ever at my new weight and confident
that 2024 is when I take it all back.”
BOXXER Founder and CEO, Ben Shalom, said: "2024 promises to
be a monumental year for BOXXER and Sky Sports, and we’re
thrilled to kick things off with another massive night for
women’s boxing as Natasha Jonas defends her world title
against Mikaela Mayer in a matchup set to showcase the
pinnacle of the sport. Natasha and Mikaela are two fantastic
athletes - both former Olympians and world champions - from
either side of the Atlantic, ready to put it all on the line
to secure their legacy.”
“Mikaela Mayer is beloved in the UK, and we are thrilled
that she will get an opportunity to become a two-weight
champion against a sensational fighter in Natasha Jonas,”
said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “These are two of the best
pound-for-pound females in boxing."
This event is presented in association with official
partners Everlast, WOW HYDRATE and Integritas Property
Group.
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