Mikaela Mayer, left, gestures after a women's WBO welterweight title boxing bout against England's Sandy Ryan, center, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in New York. Mayer won the fight.
United States' Mikaela Mayer dethroned English boxer Sandy Ryan of her WBO welterweight title through a majority decision in New York on Saturday (September 28). In a fight week replete with tension, there were bizarre scenes hours before the bout as Ryan was hit with a can of red paint as she made her way to The Theater inside Madison Square Garden. Ryan, who was defending her title for the third time, said the incident "unsettled" her and believes it contributed to her narrow loss.
Mikaela Mayer, left, gestures after a women's WBO welterweight title boxing bout against England's Sandy Ryan, center, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in New York. Mayer won the fight.
Mikaela Mayer, left, punches England's Sandy Ryan during a women's WBO welterweight title boxing bout in New York. Mayer won the fight.
Mikaela Mayer, left, punches England's Sandy Ryan during a women's WBO welterweight title boxing bout in New York. Mayer won the fight.
England's Sandy Ryan punches Mikaela Mayer of the U.S., during a women's WBO welterweight title boxing bout in New York.
Mikaela Mayer, left, punches England's Sandy Ryan during a women's WBO welterweight title boxing bout in New York.
Mikaela Mayer, right, punches England's Sandy Ryan during a women's WBO welterweight title boxing bout in New York.
England's Sandy Ryan, left, punches Mikaela Mayer of the U.S., during a women's WBO welterweight title boxing bout in New York.