Mikaela Mayer has expressed a desire to face IBF world welterweight champion Natasha Jonas in a mouthwatering rematch for all the marbles.
The 34-year-old comes off a highly contentious majority decision victory over Sandy Ryan, claiming her WBO strap under truly bizarre circumstances.
Shortly before they locked horns, Ryan had been doused with red paint by an unknown suspect, with the shocking incident leading to a New York Police Department investigation.
Yet still, the pair went toe-to-toe in a compelling dustup, while Ryan, who was left visibly shaken by the pre-fight event, has since demanded a rematch.
Natasha Jonas is likely to face Lauren Price before Mikaela Mayer
Mayer has revealed that her next outing is likely to take place in March, but is yet to confirm whether a rematch with Ryan will in fact materialize.
Meanwhile, Jonas is returning to the ring on December 14, taking on WBC titlist Ivana Habazin at the Exhibition Centre in Liverpool, England.
The 40-year-old retained her IBF strap after edging a fiercely contested split decision against Mayer earlier this year, and now enters her second consecutive hometown main-event.
Appearing on Jonas’ undercard will be Olympic gold medallist Lauren Price, who is gearing up to make the first defense of her WBA title against unbeaten contender Bexcy Mateus.
And so, with the two Brits competing on the same card, a potential unification between the pair is already being mentioned as a genuine possibility.
- Elsewhere in Women’s Boxing [Claressa Shields calls for Turki Alalshikh to deliver career-defining showdown against MMA legend]
Mikaela Mayer believes that Natasha Jonas would beat Lauren Price
Despite having amassed just seven professional victories, Price is likely to be made a strong favorite against Jonas who, at the age of 40, is now a far cry from her prime.
That said, some of Jonas’ best performances have arrived in recent years, with the former Katie Taylor opponent seemingly having more success in the higher divisions.
But still, many believe that Price’s amateur pedigree – lending itself to a more polished fighting style – would give her the edge.
Mayer, though, is convinced that she will be targeting a second encounter with Jonas for the undisputed welterweight crown later next year.
“I’m going to let them unify, let them collect and the plan would be to fight one of them for undisputed,” Mayer told Sky Sports.
“I think Jonas wins that [Price] fight. When Lauren Price and Tasha Jonas get matched up, everyone’s so hyped up on Lauren Price, I wouldn’t necessarily put my money on her.
“[Price] still has a very amateur style. So she’s going to box and she’s going to move. What Jonas is going to be is she’s going to be in and out. She has also more experience on her side.”