Mikaela Mayer overcomes Maiva Hamadouche in savage 10-round battle. John Dennen studies from Las Vegas
MIKAELA MAYER prevailed in an amazing battle with France’s Maiva Hamadouche on the Virgin Accommodations in Las Vegas on Friday evening (November 5).
Each are former Olympians. Mayer adopted the normal route, competing at Rio 2016 earlier than turning into the main lady of Prime Rank’s promotional secure. Hamadouche was a well-established skilled and an IBF belt-holder when she took benefit of the rule change that permits execs again into Olympic boxing. She certified for the Tokyo Video games however was not profitable in Japan. The blueprint to beat her appeared clear – use footwork to outwit the tough, bodily robust Hamadouche with motion and technical boxing, parts that Mayer has in her skillset.
However the American took a distinct method. On the opening bell Mayer rushed out to satisfy Hamadouche head on. She landed the primary punches, however having made her level she nonetheless didn’t transfer off. She planted herself on the within and traded fireplace Hamadouche proper there.
If Hamadouche was shocked at that method she didn’t present it. She welcomed it. The Frenchwoman drove herself ahead, greeting Mayer an ideal quantity of punches. Mayer was preventing Hamadouche at her personal sport and profitable rounds, nevertheless it was excessive power, excessive depth work. Mikaela held her floor and lashed hooks into Hamadouche’s head. Maiva absorbed the punishment and continued to press ahead, banging strong rights in.
Mayer did show she was robust sufficient to take these punches and fireplace again. Briefly moments, when she stepped again and let go her lead left, she confirmed how she might have made the battle simpler on herself. However largely she uncared for her jab. The place Mayer did present additional selection was attacking the physique with hooks earlier than swinging a tough, clear shot to the chin. She slammed good uppercuts by too and deservedly triumphed on a unanimous choice after a frenetic 10 two-minute rounds.
Lisa Giampa’s 100-90 card for Mayer was harsh on Hamadouche’s efforts. Boxing Information had the Frenchwoman profitable three rounds however had Mayer shading quite a lot of rounds that had been shut and furiously contested. The America profitable an in depth battle broadly on the scorecards is forgivable in that sense. Max DeLuca scored 99-91 for Mayer and Tim Cheatham was nearer to the mark with 98-92. Mike Ortega refereed.
Mayer added Hamadouche’s super-featherweight IBF belt to the WBO strap she already held.
“I might bang it out on the within. That wasn’t actually the complete sport plan,” Mayer mentioned. “The sport plan was to make use of my jab, however at the back of my head, I knew she was going to maintain it shut, preserve me on the within. Despite the fact that we skilled for that, simply with the ability to do this for 10 straight rounds taught me lots.
“That is all the things I skilled for. It actually hasn’t even sunk in, however I’m pleased with what I did. I’m pleased with my workforce. We’re going to have fun this one, for certain.”
Promoter Bob Arum mentioned, “This was a sensational battle, top-of-the-line fights of the 12 months, male or feminine. These two women are a credit score to the game, and so they left all of it within the ring. It was an in depth battle, however I felt Mikaela did greater than sufficient to have her hand raised.”
There are interesting opponents for Mayer from the UK, together with WBC super-featherweight belt-holder Terri Harper. “I actually needed to indicate everybody within the division and the naysayers that I didn’t have the facility and the grit to remain in there for 10 rounds with Hamadouche. That I’m one of the best within the division,” Mikaela mentioned. “I would like the large fights. I’m positively a risk.”
