09/30/24
Top Rank on ESPN Recap, Results and Grades. Plus results from the rest of the boxing weekend: Excellent Ryan-Mayer clash overshadowed by PaintGate incident, Baumgardner returns (sort of), Harper wins, Yeleussinov ends long layoff.
We should call it “Women Crushing It (Wednesdays) Weekend.”
The boxing weekend belonged to the ladies as the boxing world was treated to three women’s title fights around the world, headlined by the WBO Women’s Welterweight Championship grudge match between bitter rivals, Sandy Ryan and Mikaela Mayer.
Elsewhere, Alycia Baumgardner returned to the ring after a yearlong absence to defend her undisputed super featherweight crown against Delfine Persoon. Over in the United Kingdom, Rhiannon Dixon made her first defense of her WBO Lightweight Championship against former two-division champion Terri Harper and a once-promising welterweight returned in Kazakhstan after a three year absence.
Brunch Boxing was there to cover every punch, knockdown, and story behind the gloves. Here’s a full breakdown of the event, from results to grades, plus results from around the world in this action-packed, drama- filled weekend of boxing.
Mikaela Mayer (20-2, 5 KOs) MD10 Sandy Ryan (7-2-1, 1 KO)
Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
A lot of drama surrounded the buildup to this matchup. Turncoat trainer, Kay Koroma helped Sandy Ryan in camp after being a longtime trainer of Mayer. Pictures of Sandy Ryan circulated around the MSG area, calling Ryan a whore.
When the bell rang, fans were treated to a thrilling, back-and-forth contest. Mikaela Mayer outpointed Sandy Ryan in what will be remembered as one of the best women’s fights of the year. The bout was nonstop action, with Mayer using her boxing skills to offset Ryan’s relentless pressure. The punch stats were almost identical, with Mayer landing 186 of 636 punches and Ryan connecting with 185 of 567. In the end, the judges scored it 95-95, 96-94, and 97-93, awarding Mayer the WBO Women’s Welterweight Championship.
Despite the excellent action in the ring, the fight was overshadowed by bizarre drama before the first bell. Ryan was attacked on her way to the arena, doused in red paint by an unknown assailant. Ryan and her team have accused Mayer’s camp of being behind the attack, though Mayer and her team vehemently denied any involvement. Ryan chose to fight despite the traumatic incident, stating afterward that the truth will come out soon as they are working with authorities to investigate.
Photo Credit: Sandy Ryan/Matchroom Boxing
After the bout, Ryan released a statement on social media: “Still trying to come to terms with what happened last night, i know I shouldn't have fought after I was attacked leaving my hotel but I couldn't let them win like that. I was fighting off empty and still felt I won the fight. We have obtained the CCTV and are in contact with the NYPD. Pretty obvious what happened and the truth will be set free shortly. You tried to ruin my career but trust me it's only just begun.”
Top Rank spokesperson, Evan Korn released a statement on behalf of Mayer, saying, “It’s a horribly unfortunate incident that happened to Sandy. Top Rank and Mikaela strongly condemn it. Hopefully, whoever did this gets caught and prosecuted.”
Mayer herself issued a strong denial, regarding the incident: "I was shocked and I thought it was horrible. I would never go that far. I know I get a little rough in the buildup, but i would never go that far. Then I heard that she thought it had something to do with me and my team, which is disappointing. Obviously Sandy is my rival and she is my opponent, but I wouldn’t never go that far. This fight means so much to me and I would never do anything to jeopardize it. I’m very sorry that happened to her."
What’s Next:
There have already been calls by Ryan’s promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing and Ryan herself for an immediate rematch. Mayer has a few interesting options, including rematches with Alycia Baumgardner, Natasha Jonas and the aforementioned Ryan.
Grade: A+
Xander Zayas (20-0, 12 KOs) UD10 Damian Sosa (25-3, 12 KOs)
Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Xander Zayas dominated Damian Sosa over ten rounds, winning a unanimous decision. Despite his clear control, the fight failed to excite the crowd, with Zayas coasting to a victory on three identical scorecards of 100-90.
What’s Next:
Zayas will tread water until Top Rank can do a bigger fight for him Puerto Rican Parade Weekend in New York, perhaps against Vito Mielnicki Jr.
Grade: F
Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (13-0, 8 KOs) MD10 Sulaiman Segawa (17-5-1, 5 KOs)
Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Bruce Carrington won a controversial majority decision over Sulaiman Segawa. Segawa outworked Carrington in six of the ten rounds, but the judges saw it differently, with scores of 95-95 and two 97-93 cards for Carrington. Segawa’s performance was enough to earn him future opportunities as a gatekeeper in the division.
What’s Next:
Carrington is positioned to challenge WBA Featherweight Champion Nick Ball, but it’s more likely he’ll take a lower-risk fight first. Segawa deserves another significant fight after this close contest.
Grade: B
Final Thoughts:
Despite some lackluster undercard action, the main event between Ryan and Mayer more than delivered. The controversial buildup, combined with an epic in-ring battle, made it a night to remember.
Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Overall Event Grade: B
Fan Grade: C+ or lower
Atlanta, Georgia
Alycia Baumgardner (15-1, 7 KOs) NC4 (Delfine Persoon (49-3, 19 KOs)
Photo Credit: Brinx TV
Alycia Baumgardner’s return ended in a no-contest after an accidental clash of heads opened a large cut on Delfine Persoon. Before the cut, Baumgardner had knocked Persoon down in the first round and seemed on her way to a stoppage victory. At 39, Persoon showed little interest in continuing, and she may be contemplating retirement. This was Baumgardner’s first bout since testing positive for PEDs in her July 2023 rematch with Christina Linardatou.
Baumgardner’s future is more intriguing as this marked her last bout with Matchroom Boxing, and she is now a free agent.
Sheffield, England
Terri “Belter” Harper (15-2-2, 6 KOs) UD10 Rhiannon Dixon (10-1, 1 KO)
Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Terri Harper captured the WBO Lightweight Championship, outboxing Rhiannon Dixon in a tactical contest. Harper’s ring generalship kept Dixon at bay for most of the fight, although Dixon rallied briefly in the sixth round. Scores were 97-93, 97-93, and 96-94 in favor of Harper, who has now won world titles in three divisions.
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Daniyar Yeleussinov (12-0, 7 KOs) RTD5 Joe Noynay (23-5-2, 11 KOs)
Photo Credit: Qaz Sport
Daniyar Yeleussinov, the former Olympic gold medalist, returned to action after a three-year layoff to defeat Joe Noynay in five rounds. Yeleussinov dominated the fight, knocking down Noynay multiple times before Noynay’s corner stopped the fight.
Yeleussinov will look to regain momentum in a thin welterweight division after his extended absence.
Other Results:
Vito Mielnicki Jr. (20-1, 12 KOs) MD10 Khalil El Harraz (16-6-1, 2 KOs)
Floyd Diaz (13-0, 3 KOs) UD8 Mario Hernandez (12-5-1, 4 KOs)
Elvis Rodriguez (17-1-1, 13 KOs) UD10 Kendo Castañeda (21-7, 9 KOs)
Tiger Johnson (14-0, 6 KOs) UD8 Yomar Alamo (22-3-1, 13 KOs)
Rohan Polanco (14-0, 9 KOs) TKO6 Marcelino Lopez (37-5-1, 22 KOs)
Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Final Thoughts:
Sports is the theater of the unexpected and boxing delivered that tenfold. The drama of the PaintGate scandal between Ryan and Mayer will continue to unfold, but the weekend belonged to women’s boxing. From Mayer’s victory to Baumgardner’s no-contest and Harper’s title win, the Women Crushing It (Wednesdays) Weekend lived up to its name.
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