Mikaela Mayer Defeats Sandy Ryan in Title Fight

Mikaela Mayer won the WBO welterweight title from Sandy Ryan by majority decision in New York, with scorecards reading 97-93, 96-94 for Mayer, and a 95-95 draw from a third judge. The lead-up to the fight was marred by controversy as Ryan was hit with a can of red paint in an incident she described as unsettling and potentially orchestrated, which she believes impacted her performance. Mayer expressed shock at the incident, claiming no involvement from her team, while Ryan's trainer, Kay Koroma, was furious and urged her not to fight. Ryan, now with two defeats, had previously suffered a controversial draw in September, and Mayer's victory marks her as a two-weight world champion. The incident has further fueled the animosity between the fighters, with Ryan accusing someone from Mayer's team of being behind the paint attack. This chaotic pre-fight environment has raised questions about the impact of psychological tactics in the sport.