Keys to Victory: Mary Spencer vs Mikaela Mayer - Breaking down tactics of each fighter

In daring to be even greater, Mikaela Mayer has an opportunity to emerge with the lion’s share of titles in a new division. But she will have to do it on her opponent’s home soil.

The decorated American looks to become a three-division world champion tonight when she challenges WBA super welterweight world champion Mary Spencer at Montreal Casino in Montreal, Canada. In addition to the WBA championship, the vacant WBC and WBO titles will also be on the line in this fight, meaning the winner will be one strap away from reaching undisputed glory.

Mayer (22-2, 5 KOs), already a two-division world champion, last scored a unanimous decision over Sandy Ryan in their March rematch to defend the WBO welterweight world title. Meanwhile, in April, Spencer (10-2, 6 KOs) notched a points win of her own in defeating Ogleidis Suarez to retain her WBA super welterweight title.

Will Mayer’s bundle of sweet science skills pave the way for her to become a three-division ruler? Or will Spencer give her second thoughts about moving up with a big statement win over the challenger?

With the stakes high for tonight’s unified championship showdown, DAZN News analyzes the Keys to Victory for both Spencer and Mayer.

Mary Spencer’s Keys to Victory

Stand ground early

Yes, Mikaela Mayer is a decorated two-division world champion. But she is making the move up to super welterweight where Mary Spencer reigns as the WBA world champion. Plus, this title bout is taking place in Montreal of Spencer’s native Canada.

All this being said, Spencer’s best bet to unceremoniously welcome Mayer up to the division could possibly be standing her ground and punching in traffic with the American. Doing this, especially early, could provide the resistance needed to show Mayer that Spencer is not going to be budged off the front foot easily.

In addition, Spencer can fight forward off these stands and crowd Mayer’s space toward more possible success on the inside.

Detonate hooks around Mayer’s guard

In her two bouts against Sandy Ryan, Mayer showed a vulnerability to being hit with hooks whipping around her guard, especially the left hook.

That should bode well for Spencer who cranks a blunt hook around opponents’ guard, sitting on the punch well to leverage maximum impact.

Whether as an extension of her own combination or a timed counterpunch in traffic, Spencer must unload with these hooks.

Keep collected

Mayer is stepping into a pressure cooker in not only daring to be greater in a third division but also attempting to do it on foreign soil.

But there is pressure on Spencer fighting on home turf, too.

Throughout boxing history, fighters have at times succumbed to the pressure of fighting at home.

Spencer, as the champion seeking a title defense, cannot afford to feel this pressure under the brightest lights of her career against a sweet scientist like Mayer.

Therefore, the champ must remain calm and collected as best as possible over the course of this fight.

Mikaela Mayer’s Keys to Victory

Assert the jab early, relying on speed

Mikaela Mayer being quicker to the punch in asserting the jab early could instantly send a statement to Mary Spencer that the challenger is going to dictate the pace of this fight.

The two-division world champion should rely on her hand speed to locate and land the stick early toward this goal of controlling the tempo.

Make deposits to the body

Mayer does an excellent job investing to the body before escalating her attack upstairs. The strategy serves a two-pronged effect in softening opponents up, while making them account for the body to the point where Mayer can surprise them to the jaw and head.

These routine deposits could hinder the larger Spencer from fighting forward.

Piece together combinations

Over the course of her career, Mayer has shown tremendous sweet science skills and creativity in manufacturing organic combinations off the jab and body blows. This could come in the form of a raucous right hook or slicing uppercut. How ever these combos are pieced together, Mayer possesses the deep bag of punches to dip into and utilize.

She exacts the right variety and we could very well coronate Mayer as a three-division queen of the ring tonight in Montreal.

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