Mikaela Mayer will likely not spend too long in the lightweight division if she makes it past Saturday’s [September 2nd] match against veteran Silvia Bortot. During an interview with Sky Sports, Mikaela Mayer revealed her plans to move up in weight after just two fights [after Saturday] at 135 lbs.
“I’m not sticking around at 140lbs, I’m going to 147lbs after this fight. I’d like to step right into a world title fight because that’s where I believe I’m at.” Mayer (18-1, 5 KO’s) told Sky Sports.
“Natasha Jonas is at the top of my list because it’s the most realistic, immediate fight for me. Hopefully we can get that fight done sometime in December or early January. That’s where I want to go immediately after this fight.“
Though Mikaela Mayer spent virtually most of her career fighting as a super featherweight and intermittently as a lightweight, her most recent move to lightweight sees her stuck with few options given the division’s undisputed champion, Katie Taylor has been unavailable to fight at 135 lbs for nearly a year.
The current landscape of the women’s division of boxing offers her more opportunities, particularly 147 lbs & 154 lbs world champion Natasha Jonas (14-2-1, 9 KO’s). Jonas, currently holds three titles — two at super welterweight [WBC & IBF] and one at welterweight [IBF] which she only recently won on the 1st of July this year.
Jonas is apparently planning to settle at 147 lbs which will force her to abandon her junior middleweight titles. As Jonas is the IBF welterweight champion, Mikaela Mayer can find herself not just challenging for a legitimate world title again, but can also earn a nice payday if her fight with Jonas takes place in the UK — as Jonas remains one of the most recognized and popular female British boxers.
American lightweight Mikaela Mayer will first seek to make her way past Italian contender Silvia Bortot (11-2-1, 3 KO’s) on the undercard of the Smith-Eubank II fight card to be held on September 2nd. Bortot, a 7-year pro who’s competed most often as a super lightweight, presents more of a risk-free challenge for Mayer as she looks to stay busy while awaiting her next opportunities, potentially in higher divisions.
If Mayer wins come Saturday, her next match might be in the UK again, but then under different circumstances where she will potentially be fighting for a world title against a legit pound-for-pound fighter in Natasha Jonas.
