On Saturday, January 22nd, in Liverpool, England, Natasha Jonas maintained the welterweight strap by defeating Mikaela Mayer via split decision; but the former super-featherweight champ Mayer believes her performance warrants a rematch.

Was Jonas gifted the decision?

Following Saturday's contentious split decision in which Natasha Jonas retained her welterweight world title, Mikaela Mayer implored the British fighter to challenge her in a rematch.

In a riveting bout held in Liverpool, Mayer and IBF Champion Jonas delivered an immediate classic; many on the ringside believed the challenger had done enough to secure the victory.

One judge awarded it to Mayer with a score of 97-93, but the other two scores were awarded to Jonas with scores of 96-95 and 96-95, respectively, awarding her a split decision win.

Double Standards

Although Jonas could exercise a rematch clause if Mayer had won, the challenger did not have such a provision.

"In my opinion, it was evident that I had performed sufficiently to secure a victory," Mayer said. "Although I initially conceded the first round or two to her, I believe I delivered more powerful punches and landed more precise shots.

"Ultimately, revisiting that fight is worthwhile, as it stands out as one of her most challenging battles. I don’t possess a rematch clause, but I am optimistic about the possibility of arranging a rematch for the fans because it’s what they want to see.

"Given her championship status, I hope she will grant me a rematch. I lack the legal provision, but a rematch is justified since critics and fans are eager to see it.

Jonas, who is 39 years old, expressed her willingness to engage in a rematch. However, she also said that she could explore other opportunities as her professional journey approaches its conclusion.
When asked about a potential rematch, Jonas said:

"The fights that I believed winning tonight would ensure the continuation of opportunities, particularly considering my limited number of remaining fights I have, are the ones I am seeking.

"However, if it is a request that aligns with the fans' desires, I am always willing to comply."

Many boxing critics, journalists, and fellow competitors believe Mayer has done enough to secure a victory, which makes using a Caesars Sportsbook promo code on this specific bout  in favor of the challenger even more painful for bettors. 

Jonas: She’s one of the best I’ve fought.

Before her inaugural light-middleweight world championship win in 2022, Jonas had been unjustly deprived of the title in close decisions against Katie Taylor and Terri Harper.

Finally, the judges sided with Jonas. However, the former Olympian empathized with Mayer's situation after missing out on a narrow margin and encouraged the American to use the loss to motivate future endeavors.

"I anticipate that this girl will be profoundly distressed by the outcome, as I have experienced a similar situation, and it can feel as though one's world has come to an end," Jonas added.

"She ranks among the top two individuals I have fought. She possesses exceptional skills, and her opportunity for success will come. She defeats several of the current champs.

"Therefore, I urge her to utilize this as a driving force to persevere and attain the rightful recognition of a two-weight world champion."

Jonas, for her part, thinks she was doing enough to prevail in the fight and keep her title.

"I believe I was easily up two rounds," said Jonas. "I value what other people think. Everyone has the right to one. On that day, though, the result was important, and I got it. I won in the end. I worked hard at it. In the later rounds, I made things a little tough for myself. I won, that's all I have to say. I won."

Jonas vs. Mayer II Won’t Happen Next

Jonas is contemplating her next step, which is to win additional titles, particularly the WBA belt that unified WBC and WBA champion Jessica McCaskill presently holds.

"Where do we start?" A fight at Anfield is a big deal for me. Jonas said, "There’s a great group of fighters born and raised here, like Adam Azim, a big Liverpool guy." Jonas said, regarding her next move.

"Let's hope we can land that. And the lone belt I'm missing is a WBA, which makes Jessica McCaskill the obvious choice.”

Currently, McCaskill is slated to fight a mandatory challenger in Ivana Habazin at KC Drazen Petrovic in Croatia, on April 20.