The elite of women’s boxing will collide when Natasha Jonas defends her IBF welterweight title against decorated ex-champ Mikaela Mayer at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool on January 20. The 10-round bout, plus undercard action, will be broadcast by ESPN+ in the U.S.
Jonas (14-2-1, 9 KOs) currently holds championships at two weights, having also unified titles at 154 pounds. The former Olympian is in the middle of an Indian summer thanks to world championship victories over Chris Namus, Patricia Berghult, Marie-Eve Dicaire, and Kandi Wyatt. At 39 years old, Jonas is in the form of her life and remains as ambitious as ever.
Mayer (19-1, 5 KOs) is a former unified champion at super featherweight. The Los Angeles-born technician claimed the WBO belt at the expense of Ewa Brodnicka, then picked up the IBF and Ring Magazine championships by defeating Maiva Hamadouche. The 33-year-old lost her unbeaten record to arch-rival Alycia Baumgardner in 2022 and moved up in weight.
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The Sporting News now takes a deep dive into the odds for this battle of pound-for-pound entrants and makes a final prediction on the outcome.
Natasha Jonas vs. Mikaela Mayer betting odds
Per BetMGM, Jonas is the -143 favorite, while Mayer is the + 118 underdog.
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Natasha Jonas vs. Mikaela Mayer trends
- Jonas via KO/TKO/Tech. Dec/DQ: +1100
- Jonas via decision: -111
- Mayer via KO/TKO/Tech. Dec/ DQ: +750
- Mayer via decision: +170
- Draw: +1200
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Natasha Jonas vs. Mikaela Mayer prediction, best bets
This is a terrific fight that should produce plenty of fireworks from the first bell to the last.
Mayer has excellent fundamentals and she’s accustomed to setting a frenetic pace. The American’s jab is one of the best in the women’s game and her engine is more than reliable across the 10-round distance.
Jonas is a sharp punching southpaw with terrific movement and ring IQ, plus she’s the harder hitter of the two. She’s also an excellent counterpuncher and, like her opponent, pipping fit when a fight goes long.
Stylistically, this looks like Jonas’ fight to lose. Her counterpunching ability should neutralise Mayer’s forward march and she’ll have passionate home support rooting her on. The Liverpool star has also been at the higher weights for a longer period.
Mayer has never been stopped, so a distance fight looks likely. However, don’t be surprised if a power shot puts the challenger over before the bout ends.