This fall, boxing will return to the Theater at Madison Square Garden. On Friday, September 27, former world champion Mikaela Mayer will challenge Sandy Ryan for the WBO Welterweight Championship.
“Mikaela Mayer always wants to fight the best, and Sandy Ryan is an elite welterweight. These are the two of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, and the winner will stake her claim as the preeminent 147-pounder,” Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum said.
“Bruce Carrington and Xander Zayas are future superstars, and I look forward to seeing how they fare against the toughest opponents of their respective careers.”
Mayer will return to the United States after a four-fight run in the United Kingdom. During her stint overseas, she lost two close title bouts against Alycia Baumgardner and Natasha Jonas, but prevailed in 10-round bouts against Silvia Bortot and Lucy Wildheart. Now, she’s looking to prevail in her second attempt at welterweight title against the seasoned champion.
“After months of negotiations in every direction, I am thrilled that my team has pulled through for me and gotten me this fight. As several dates fell through in the UK, the last thing I expected was for my manager to call with an offer that ticked every box,” Mayer said.
“My team not only secured me another title fight against the opponent I asked for, but I’m coming back to the U.S. with my Top Rank and ESPN family. I loved fighting in the UK over the past two years, but I have genuinely missed fighting in America. I’m ready to take Sandy Ryan’s WBO belt.”
Ryan is eager to dash Mayer’s hope of becoming a two-division world champion. Coming off of emphatic, stoppage victory against Terri Harper, she is as confident as ever as she makes her debut at Madison Square Garden.
“I’m excited to be returning to America and particularly fighting at MSG. It’s the Mecca of Boxing and a venue that every champion dreams of competing in. I feel privileged to have been given this opportunity, and I want to thank Matchroom and Top Rank for coming together to make the fight,” Ryan said.
“It’s the perfect moment in my career, and I’m looking forward to successfully defending my world title. I can promise that on a level playing field, nobody is taking this belt from me.”
The main event will be supported by a pair of Top Rank’s fastest-rising prospects. Super welterweight contender Xander Zayas will challenge Damian Sosa as Brooklyn’s Bruce Carrington goes to war with Sulaiman Segawa. The tripleheader will be broadcasted by ESPN and available for streaming on ESPN+.
