Who doesn’t want to fight a big name? And if that fight comes with a big payday, even better. Mikaela Mayer just proved she belongs at the top. She didn’t just win by unanimous decision—she silenced any doubts. Last time, some people claimed she only won because Sandy Ryan wasn’t mentally ready. This time, Mayer showed the truth: she won because she was simply the better fighter. Last night, she defended her WBO welterweight title, adding another chapter to her dominance after conquering the super featherweight and lightweight divisions. Now, the big question—who’s next?
Well, Mikaela Mayer made it clear she’s got unfinished business in the welterweight division first. And the most obvious target? A unification bout with Lauren Price. Earlier this month, Price cleaned house, clinching the rest of the three belts, by handing Natasha Jonas her third career loss. So it’s a huge fight waiting to happen. But that’s not the only fight the 34-year-old has on her plate.
A potential showdown with Claressa Shields is also being talked about. However, Mayer isn’t too keen on taking on the undisputed heavyweight champion. If Mayer wants that fight, Shields would have to move down some. That’s not something you can just do overnight. It takes time. Meanwhile, a reporter from Fight Hub TV saw the perfect moment to stir the pot and asked Mayer about fighting Alycia Baumgardner, who recently signed with Jake Paul’s MVP. “Is Baumgardner something you want to get in at 147 before you move up too?” the reporter asked.
If you didn’t know, Mikaela Mayer only moved up from the super featherweight division after suffering her first career loss. Thanks to Alycia Baumgardner. Back in October 2022 at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, she wasn’t just defeated; she missed out on becoming undisputed. And that loss stung. Frustrated but determined, the 21-2 boxer didn’t just move up—she jumped up three weight classes. And now? She made it clear. “Baumgardner knows that we’re willing to make that rematch happen.”
With The Bomb now signed to MVP Promotions, Mikaela Mayer knows Jake Paul is a businessman. If he sees dollar signs in a Mayer-Baumgardner rematch, she’s all ears. “I’m available for an offer,” she said, leaving the door wide open. And if weight is an issue? The 34-year-old is flexible on that front too. She suggested a “catchweight at 140″ if that makes things fairer for Baumgardner.
But here’s the thing—Claressa Shields might have her own plans with Alycia Baumgardner first. And if that’s the case, Mayer might have to wait a little longer before she gets her shot at a rematch with her former rival.
Claressa Shields could lock in the fight before Mikaela Mayer makes a move
A fight between two undisputed champions? Sounds exciting! But there’s one big problem—the huge weight difference between Claressa Shields and Alycia Baumgardner. A few months ago, Shields completely shut down the idea, saying Baumgardner wasn’t even someone she’d “consider to fight.” But now that the 15-1 boxer has signed with MVP, Shields seems to be rethinking her stance. But with conditions!
In a recent FightHype TV interview after the Mayer-Ryan press conference, the 16-0 boxer spoke about Alycia Baumgardner’s new deal. When asked if she’d consider fighting Baumgardner as the “main event”, she didn’t shut the door completely. Her condition? She won’t go below 154 lbs. Shields has fought mostly in middleweight and super middleweight, with just two fights at light middleweight. So it makes sense—she’s not about to cut down to 147 lbs unless there’s serious money involved.
She’s even open to fighting at 160, 168, or 175 lbs. But 147? That would take a very big paycheck from Jake Paul. In her words, “If they’re not coming with like the big bag to where I got to lose my big old booty. I’m not doing that.” This means, if MVP wants Shields at 147, they better be ready to pay up, big time.
With that said, do you think Mikaela Mayer would be able to secure a fight against Alycia Bumgardner this year? And if they fight, who do you think wins this time?
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