Mikaela Mayer and Sandy Ryan have become the perfect dance partners in the ring. They look to continue their rivalry when Mayer defends the WBO welterweight title against Ryan in a rematch on March 29. The fight in Las Vegas airs on ESPN+ in the U.S.
Ryan (7-2-1) lost the WBO title following a Fight of the Year contender. The Derby-born fighter was accosted outside her hotel, getting red paint thrown on her before the fight. Mayer has denied being part of the attack.
The 31-year-old may have been distracted last time out, but she was still able to put on a show. With a clear mind, she’s ready to get a win back and have gold around her waist again.
“I need to just be me with no distractions. I need to be level-headed and calm. That’s how I’m approaching this whole fight week and fight night,” Ryan said.
WATCH: Mikaela Mayer vs. Sandy Ryan 2, exclusively on ESPN+
Mayer (20-2) is a former IBF and WBO super featherweight champion. After cutting ties with Kay Koroma after it was revealed he would train Ryan, the Golden Gloves champion won welterweight gold in her second attempt.
The 34-year-old has competed against a who’s who of fighters across various weight classes. Still relatively new to welterweight, Mayer looks to prove she belongs by bringing it to the former champion.
“I’m sure she feels that [she will stop me[. I’m sure she felt that way in the last fight when she was saying that I’m not truly a welterweight. But I still sent her to the hospital with a concussion,” Mayer said. “If I did that then when I was new to welterweight, then I’m going to hurt her 10 times more this time around.”
Another world title at welterweight is on the line on the Mikaela Mayer vs. Sandy Ryan 2 undercard while prospects continue to enhance their skills.
Mikaela Mayer vs. Sandy Ryan 2 undercard
Here’s a breakdown of all the action on the Mayer vs. Ryan 2 card.
Brian Norman Jr. vs. Derrieck Cuevas
- Division/Weight: Welterweight
- Norman record: 26-0
- Cuevas record: 27-1-1
- Belts at stake: WBO welterweight title
The co-feature will see Brian Norman Jr. defend the WBO welterweight title against Derrieck Cuevas.
Norman (26-0) has already surpassed his father, Brian Norman (18-11), in wins. “The Assassin II” won interim gold in May and was elevated to full-time champion after Terence Crawford vacated. With 20 wins via knockout, Norman is ready to prove he deserves to keep the title.
MORE: The case for two vs. three-minute round in women’s boxing
“I’m very excited. I feel like a champion is not a champion until that first title defense,” Norman said. “I’ve got a wonderful competitor coming against me. So, it’s time to prove that I am the real deal champion… He’s coming to knock my head off. It’s going to be a very good fight, but I don’t think it will be a long one.”
Cuevas (27-1-1) is on a four-fight win streak, winning all those bouts via knockout. The Puerto Rican has 19 wins via knockout but last fought in 2023.
Bruce Carrington vs. Enrique Vivas
- Division/Weight: Featherweight
- Carrington record: 14-0
- Vivas record: 23-3
- Belts at stake: N/A
Bruce Carrington faces Enrique Vivas.
A 2017 Golden Gloves winner and NABF featherweight champion, Carrington (14-0) went 4-0 in 2024. He impressed against Dana Coolwell when placed on the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson undercard. “Shu Shu” has eight wins via knockout.
Vivas (23-3) is 2-2 in his last four fights. Following a loss against Joet Gonzalez in 2023, he rebounded with a TKO win in his lone fight one year ago.
Emiliano Vargas vs. Giovannie Gonzalez
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Vargas record: 12-0
- Gonzalez record: 20-7-2
- Belts at stake: N/A
Further down the card will be Emiliano Vargas vs. Giovannie Gonzalez.
The next generation has arrived! Vargas (12-0) is the son of former world champion Fernando Vargas. A seven-time National Champion, “El General” won six fights in 2023 and four in 2024. The 20-year-old has ten wins via knockout.
MORE: 25 Under 25: Ranking the best boxing prospects and champions in 2024
Gonzalez (20-7-2) is as tough as they come, competing in bare-knuckle and regular boxing action. “King Gio” has 15 wins via knockout and is 2-2 in his last four fights.
Delante Johnson vs. Kendo Castaneda
- Division/Weight: Welterweight
- Johnson record: 14-0
- Castaneda record: 21-8
- Belts at stake: N/A
Delante “Tiger” Johnson takes on Kendo Castaneda.
Johnson (14-0) is a 2016 Youth World Championships gold medalist. The 26-year-old went 3-0 in 2024, beating Yomar Alamo on the same card as the first Mayer-Ryan fight.
Castaneda (21-8) is a former NABF welterweight title contender. The 31-year-old is 2-2 in his last four fights and looks to halt the momentum of “Tiger” Johnson.
Dedrick Crocklem vs. Dionne Ruvalcaba
- Division/Weight: Super Featherweight
- Crocklem record: 1-0
- Ruvalcaba record: 2-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Dedrick Crocklem faces Dionne Ruvalcaba.
A two-time Youth National Champion and a 2022 National Championships winner, Crocklem (1-0) competes just two months after an impressive pro debut. The 20-year-old, dubbed “Yung Hitta,” looks to make an impact in boxing.
WATCH: Mikaela Mayer vs. Sandy Ryan 2, exclusively on ESPN+
Ruvalcaba (2-1) looks to rebound following a loss in October.
Emmanuel Chance vs. Miguel Guzman
- Division/Weight: Bantamweight
- Chance record: N/A
- Guzman record: 1-0
- Belts at stake: N/A
Finally, Emmanuel Chance faces Miguel Guzman.
Chance is a two-time USA Boxing National Champion, making his pro debut at 18. The U19 World Boxing Championships silver medalist recently signed with Top Rank and looks to impress against Guzman (1-0), competing one month after his last fight.
Mikaela Mayer vs. Sandy Ryan 2 tune-in info
- Date: Saturday, March 29
- Time: 10 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. PT | 3 a.m. BST | 1 p.m. AEDT (Sunday)
- Main event start time (approx.): 12 a.m. ET | 9 p.m. PT | 5 a.m. BST | 3 p.m. AEDT
- Location: BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas
- Channel/live stream: ESPN+
Fight fans can watch Mikaela Mayer vs. Sandy Ryan 2 via ESPN+. You can subscribe to ESPN+ for $11.99 on a monthly subscription and $119.99 on an annual subscription.
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