Liverpool, Echo Arena – For the IBF welterweight title, Natasha Jonas (15-2-1, 9 KOs) had to go through fire to win a tough ten round split decision over former beltholder Mikaela Mayer (19-2, 5 KOs).
The scores were 96-94 for Jonas, 97-93 for Mayer, and 96-95 for Jonas.
Jonas a two-division world champion, did very well in the first half of the contest with her speed and movement.
Mayer, a former world champion at 130-pounds, was attempting to become a two-division champion.
It was the third weight class for Mayer, who quickly moved up by several weight divisions since suffering her first career defeat.
Jonas followed the same type of path, by moving up in weight by several divisions and becoming a unified world champion at the junior middleweight limit of 154-pounds.
She eventually dropped her three belts at 154 to make a move down to welterweight, where he captured a welterweight title last year.
Jonas, who at 39-years-old is looking at possible retirement by the end of the year, expects the younger Mayer to get another big break in near future.
“I had a good start. I landed harder and cleaner shots. I think toward the end she outworked me a little. I’ll give her a couple of the middle rounds. But I came on strong at the end,” Jonas said.
“I know she is going to be absolutely devastated with the result because I’ve been there. It feels like the world is over. She is on my top two people that I’ve fought. She is very skilled. Her time will come again. She beat a lot of the champions. Please use that as motivation to become a two-weight world champion.”