Sandy Ryan Seeks Rematch After Controversial Loss to Mayer

Sandy Ryan has called for an immediate rematch with American Mikaela Mayer following a controversial lead-up to their fight in New York last weekend where an unsettling incident involving red paint overshadowed Ryan’s experience. Mayer took Ryan’s WBO welterweight title via majority decision on Friday but hostility surrounded the bout. As Ryan made her way from her hotel to Madison Square Garden, someone threw red paint on her.

On Monday, Ryan revealed that she had received threats and endured a “disgusting and pathetic smear campaign” on fight day. She alleged that someone circulated “defamatory” leaflets before and after the match, her team received threatening messages and authorities advised her to leave New York “for her own safety.” After her victory, Mayer expressed her shock over the paint incident, clarifying that it had nothing to do with her or her team.

Ryan took to social media to assert, “In light of everything that’s happened, I believe that an immediate rematch should be ordered.” She felt the fight was close and believed she did enough to retain her title. While two judges scored the fight 97-93 and 96-94 for Mayer, a third judge scored it a 95-95 draw. The two fighters have a history dating back to their amateur days.

However, their relationship soured over training disagreements after Ryan moved to Mayer’s gym in the U.S. Despite contemplating pulling out of the fight due to the paint incident, Ryan ultimately refused to back down. She stated, “I’ve too much pride and have worked too hard to let incidents as pathetic as these force me out of a fight.”

Sandy Ryan expressed gratitude for the opportunities boxing has provided her and emphasized her determination to leave a lasting impact on the sport.