An exciting showdown of the Olympians-turned-pro boxers is around the corner. Natasha Jonas will defend her IBF welterweight title against Mikaela Mayer at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool on Saturday night. The two boxers will exchange punches on January 20 in a potential fight of the year. Who holds the edge heading into their coveted contest?

The British champion welcomed the fight when Mayer called her out after brushing aside Silvia Bortot. Both Jonas and Mayer have been at the top of their game for years and have been the faces of female boxing. While Jonas marches ahead with a unification dream, Mayer stands between her and her ambitions. But how do they stack up against each other? Let us find out before they throw a punch in the squared circle.

Natasha Jonas vs. Mikaela Mayer: Age, Height, Record, Weight, Reach, KO ratio

Natasha Jonas, at 39, has fought in 17 fights, winning 14 and dropping one each to Viviane Obenauf and Katie Taylor. Meanwhile, Mikaela Mayer, younger at 33, has more fights under her belt. The American boxer has fought 20 fights, winning 19 of them, and her sole loss came against Alycia Baumgardner in a unification battle.

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Further, Mayer holds a significant advantage in reach at 169 cm, as she is the taller of the two at 5’9/175 cm. She has a KO ratio of not-so-head-turning 26.32%. Compared to that, Jonas stands tall at 5′8″ / 173cm. What the Liverpool native lacks in height and reach, she evens it out with power-loaded punches in the ring. Her formidable strength and knockout power have contributed to an impressive knockout ratio of 64.29%.

Notably, Mayer is leapfrogging 12 pounds to challenge Jonas after previously winning the WBC interim lightweight title. Mayer had been a unified super featherweight champion but after losing a fight to Baumgardner, she decided to move up to lightweight. Therefore, the Los Angeles native does pose a significant threat to the Liverpudlian, who herself has undergone a similar career route.

The contest of beefed-up resumes

Natasha Jonas will defend her first IBF welterweight belt against Mayer, which she won after knocking out Kandi Wyatt in Manchester last July. After drawing with Terri Harper for the WBC super featherweight title in 2020, Jonas moved up to 135 pounds. She then challenged a peak Katie Taylor, a rematch of their 2012 Olympic showdown, for the undisputed lightweight crown. However, she lost the split decision.

Jonas then jumped up to super welterweight and muscled her way to rack up the IBF, WBO, and WBC titles within nine months. Her skill and heavy-handed punches found no match at 154 pounds. Then last July, Jonas dropped to welterweight and stopped Kandi Wyatt.

On the other hand, Mayer had held the WBO and IBF super featherweight titles. And since the Baumgardner fight in October 2022, she has moved up to lightweight. She has fought twice, winning the WBC interim lightweight strap during the run. But is it enough to ensure her success in the welterweight division?

Natasha Jonas or Mikaela Mayer? Who goes into the fight as a favorite?

While Mikalea Mayer might have an advantage of a couple of inches in height and reach, Natasha Jonas’ strength could be the separating factor. Despite Mayer moving up to welterweight from lightweight, she might not be the physically stronger fighter of the two. Jonas has fought boxers with bigger frames before.

Markedly, Chris Namus, Patricia Berghult, and Marie–Eve Dicaire have all put pressure on Jonas. But she has excelled in every challenge. She has grown accustomed to the physical difference, and her longer stay at higher weights puts chips in her favor.

Lastly, Jonas also edges Mayer stylistically. Mayer has speed, marches forward, and has a lethal jab. But Jonas’ southpaw stance with sharp punches, along with terrific movement and a better ring IQ, spells doom for Mayer. In addition, Jonas’ counter-punching will nullify Mayer’s forward pressure, and she’ll ride high on emotions before the home crowd. It’s Jonas’ fight to lose now.

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What do you make of this upcoming fight between Natasha Jonas and Mikaela Mayer? Who do you think will come out on top and be the IBF champion? Let us know in the comments below.

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