Liverpool, Echo Arena - For the IBF welterweight title, Natasha Jonas (15-2-1, 9 KOs) had to go through fire to win a tough ten round split decision over former beltholder Mikaela Mayer (19-2, 5 KOs). (photos by Lawrence Lustig)
The scores were 96-94 for Jonas, 97-93 for Mayer, and 96-95 for Jonas.
Jonas came out with a quick start, letting her hands go on Mayer. The quick hands and movement of Jonas was giving Mayer a lot of problems in the second round. Mayer rallied with punches in the second minute, but Jonas fired off with punches in the closing seconds. During the third, Jonas was connecting often with accurate punches to the head and body. Nothing was hurting Mayer, who continued to come forward.
The fourth was close, with both having moments. Mayer was doing well by pressing Jonas against the ropes and letting her hands go. They were trading at the start of the fifth, with Jonas connecting with the harder shots. Jonas was outlanding Mayer, but she was being made to work very hard.
Heavy trading during the sixth. Mayer was pressing and applying a lot of pressure. More heavy trading by both in the seventh and both boxers were connecting well. It was give and take for much of the action. In the eight, Mayer connected with solid hooks, but they were both landing and connecting with big punches. More punches were flying when the ninth round began. Both fighters had swelling on their faces. Mayer seemed top get the better of the exchanges.
In the tenth and final round, Mayer was throwing everything she could while pressing Jonas back. The shots from Mayer had Jonas holding on and her left eye was swelling badly as the final bell rang.
