Mikaela Mayer's bid to become a three-division titlist will come with some form of access for U.S. viewers.
Top Rank confirmed that the October 30 clash between Mayer and reigning WBA 154lbs titlist Mary Spencer will stream live on its Top Rank Classics FAST channel. The scheduled 10-round bout will top a five-fight telecast that will air live from Montreal Casino in Montreal, Canada.
“Top Rank’s library of content is second to none among combat sports brands,” said Brian Kelly, Top Rank’s Chief Revenue Officer. “We are proud to partner with Roku, Tubi, Vizio, and Pluto TV to create a 24/7 content home that showcases the sport’s all-time greats and future legends."
Spencer, 10-2 (6 KOs) will attempt the second defense of her title. The 40-year-old, Montreal-based boxer claimed an interim version of the belt last September. She was upgraded to full titleholder after Terri Harper vacated to commit to her current WBO lightweight title reign.
Her lone fight in between that period came in a dominant 10-round, unanimous decision victory over Ogleidis Suarez on April 10. The bout took place at the same venue that will host her challenge of Mayer, and where Spencer will appear for the fifth straight time and eighth overall.
Mayer (21-2, 5 KOs) has grown accustomed to fighting on the road - this bout marks her fifth bout beyond stateside borders, all within a seven-fight span.
However, it will mark her first outside of an ESPN platform. The 2016 U.S. Olympian has seen the entirety of her eight-year pro career carried live either on ESPN and ESPN+, given Top Rank's previous output deal with the cable giant which expired this past July.
Even all four of Mayer's fights in the U.K. were carried live on ESPN+, customarily the case whenever Top Rank had ties to another show and where U.S. TV/streaming rights were in need.
Regardless of the platform, Mayer takes aim to add a fourth major title to her arsenal. She previously unified the IBF and WBO titles at 130lbs and still holds the WBO 147lbs belt.
The inability to lure lineal and unified WBC, WBA and IBF welterweight champion Lauren Price into a full unification bout prompted the jump in weight.
Mayer plans to weigh all future options after October 30, regardless of the outcome. The dream to become undisputed champion is very much on the table and remains a Price pen stroke away. Additionally, Mayer is open to entertaining any reasonable option to fight for a 140lbs title.
The first order of business, however, is to unseat Spencer and announcer her arrival in a 154lbs division desperately need in need of a profile boost. Mayer hopes to provide that, even as she and Top Rank navigate without a long-term platform deal in place for the moment.
Top Rank continues to explore different avenues in keeping its deep roster of fighters active.
ESPN Deportes has been regularly utilized in recent months, particularly for bouts that have taken place in Latin America. Top Rank also aired Naoya Inoue's undisputed 122lbs championship defense over Murodjon Akhmadaliev on its Facebook page.
Additional bouts to air on Top Rank's feed:
Arthur Biyarslanov, 19-0, (16 KOs) vs. Sergey Lipinets, 18-4-1 (13 KOs) – 10 rds, 140lbs
Wilkens Mathieu, 14-0 (10 KOs) vs. Shakeel Phinn, 27-3-2 (17 KOs) – 10 rds, 168lbs
Mehmet Unal, 13-0 (11 KOs) vs. Ralfs Vilcans, 18-2 (7 KOs) – 10 rds, 175lbs
Christopher Guerrero, 15-0 (9 KOs) vs. Williams Andres Herrera, 17-4 (7 KOs) – 10 rds, 147lbs
