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Mikaela Mayer vs Sandy Ryan 2 Keys to Victory: Breaking down tactics of each fighter
Mikaela Mayer will put her WBO welterweight world title on the line in a highly-anticipated rematch against rival Sandy Ryan in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
Their first meeting had Mayer edging Ryan via majority decision to win the championship in an action-packed fight in September.
With the stakes ultra high, DAZN News lists the keys to victory, breaking down the tactics for each fighter in this rematch.
Mikaela Mayer’s keys to victory
Dictate the pace
Mayer dictated the pace and was the first to the punch, finding a home with her right hand quickly in their original clash.
It was almost like Mayer was a couple of steps ahead of Ryan to bank early rounds via a high volume of quick, clean punches en route to her majority decision victory.
With this rematch, Mayer’s ability to once again dictate the pace could power the way to an even more decisive win and title defense to close out this heated rivalry.
Get combinations going early
If Mayer is able to land that sharp right hand early, it will be up to her to piece together combinations.
She buckled Ryan’s knees with riveting shots early in their September fight and can definitely do so again by constantly letting her hands go.
The jab followed by a slicing right hand is a major key.
Pivot, do not get caught looking
Mayer found herself in trouble when she got caught looking and standing in front of Ryan.
That’s when Ryan was able to time and detonate heavy-handed counter hooks, especially the left hook, to dig her way back into the bout.
Mayer can avoid this by constantly pivoting around the ring. Using her speed to pepper Ryan with punches and changing directions will stifle the challenger’s chances of setting her feet and loading up on those hooks.
Plus, Mayer fights effectively on the back foot, anyway. The onus is on the champion to stick and move.
Sandy Ryan’s keys to victory
Get off to a quicker start
Ryan allowed Mayer to get off to a quick start in their first fight.
For this rematch, Ryan’s chances of regaining the WBO welterweight world title might be largely incumbent on a better start to the fight.
That means successfully walking Mayer down, while increasing her output.
Unleash, time the left hook
A conscious uptick in punch volume for Ryan must include her timing a left hook, especially as a counterpunch.
Ryan’s willingness to throw the punch in traffic paid off in the original bout and is a necessary weapon that the challenger must utilize often in the rematch.
Keep a steely resolve
Ryan being splashed with red paint outside of her New York City hotel hours before her loss to Mayer seemed to rattle the British fighter.
For this rematch, Ryan cannot afford to let anything break her psyche. It is going to take a clear, steady, and steely resolve for Ryan to defeat Mayer and reclaim the WBO welterweight title.
Anything less, even a sliver of a crack in her mental state, could result in Ryan not having enough to overcome Mayer.
She must stay laser-focused under the bright Las Vegas lights regardless of what Mayer might say or do to her during the buildup to these rivals running it back.
