Sandy Ryan Assaulted At the Hotel
Entrance, Demands a Rematch
By Bronx Mason
October 2, 2024
(OCT 2) British boxer
Sandy Ryan faced a disturbing incident just hours before her WBO
welterweight title fight against
Mikaela Mayer at Madison Square
Garden on September 27, 2024. On her way to defend her fight
right at the hotel entrance in New York City, Ryan was hit by a
can of red paint that stained her outfit and left her
visibly shaken. The incident prompted immediate concerns and a
wardrobe change.
In her live interview after the incident at the fight venue with
Mark Kriegel, she said that while getting into the car someone
smashed her stomach, and when she looked down, it was a tin of
paint. She saw a guy hood up, ran into the car, and drove away.
Ryan thought the attack was planned to make her unsettled for
the performance. Despite all that happened, she chose to proceed
with the fight, which she eventually lost by majority decision.
Judges scored the bout 95-95, 96-94, and 97-93. Ryan described
“shook up” and acknowledged that the attack disrupted her focus
and impacted her game plan during the match against Mikaela.
Mayer expressed relief and satisfaction at her victory over
Sandy Ryan, claiming the WBO welterweight title. She said, "I
felt like I deserved the win" and emphasized that Ryan struggled
to cope with her punch timing and speed throughout the fight.
Mikaela Mayer expressed her
shock at the incident and condemned the assault on Ryan, saying,
"I would never go that far."
Ryan accused Mikaela Mayer and her team of orchestrating the
paint attack that occurred just before the fight by saying,
"What else it would be." She acclaimed that this was
planned by her opposing fighter to make her psychologically
unsettled.
In response, Mayer's manager called the claims "baseless" and
emphasized that no one from their team had any connection to the
attack. Mayer expressed her shock at the incident and condemned
the assault on Ryan. She stated, "I would never go that far."
She also highlighted her focus on the fight rather than any
pre-fight drama, urging Ryan to do the same in spite of making
excuses for her loss.
On losing the title, Sandy Ryan admitted to pushing too hard and
expressed regret for not withdrawing from the match after the
attack, which she believes affected her ability to compete
effectively. Ryan felt she fought "off empty" but was compelled
she had done enough to win, saying," I was handling her quite
well on the jab."
In addition to the paint attack, Ryan revealed that defamatory
leaflets featuring her image were distributed around her hotel
and Madison Square Garden before and after the match. She also
reported receiving threatening, anonymous messages, which forced
her to leave for the UK instantly due to safety concerns. The
NYPD is currently investigating these incidents alongside the
paint attack on Sandy Ryan.
Ryan said, "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."
Sue TL Fox of WBAN said, "I truly
hope that the 'low life' that assaulted Sandy Ryan is
caught---who ever it was, needs to be apprehended. Can you only
imagine, coming over to the USA from another country, and having
this done to them."
"It is disheartening to see such incidents occur, especially
when someone is representing their country on an international
stage. The safety and well-being of athletes should always be a
top priority. We can only hope that the authorities take swift
action to bring the perpetrator to justice and ensure that such
incidents are not repeated in the future," added Fox.
Sandy Ryan is gearing up her
boxing glovesfor a rematch with Mikaela
Mayer following her controversial loss. She has publicly
demanded an "immediate rematch," asserting that the
circumstances surrounding the fight were unfair and detrimental
to her performance.
