Natasha Jonas vs Mikaela Mayer LIVE: Result tonight as Briton retains title in enthralling bout

Re-live updates after Natasha Jonas defended the IBF welterweight title in her hometown of Liverpool, against America’s Mikaela Mayer

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Natasha Jonas retained the IBF welterweight title in a thrilling clash with Mikaela Mayer on Saturday, beating her challenger via split decision in Liverpool.

Fighting in front of a hometown crowd, Jonas was forced to dig deep against Mayer, who was making her debut in the division. In the early rounds, Mayer – a former super-featherweight champion – was chasing Jonas, whose wise shot selection and naturally greater power was proving the difference.

However, the American challenger began to find her rhythm as the bout progressed, varying her offence and backing up Jonas, 39. Mayer, 33, seemed to be pulling ahead, leaving Jonas arguably needing to win the final few rounds to emerge from the fight with her championship status intact.

What followed was an enthralling series of rounds, which could have gone either way, as each boxer brutalised the other to the body. Ultimately, Jonas emerged a split-decision winner, as the scorecards read 96-94, 93-97, 96-95 in favour of the two-weight champion.

Re-live updates and results below.

Jonas vs Mayer LIVE

• Natasha Jonas retains welterweight title with split decision against Mikaela Mayer
• Jonas comes out on top with scorecards of 96-94, 93-97, 96-95 in her favour
• Liverpudlian was fighting in her hometown as she took on the American
• ‘We have to hustle harder than men’: Mayer and Jonas talk to The Independent
• Is it okay to keep saying ‘women’s boxing’? Here’s what Mayer thinks...
• Meet tonight’s ring announcer: ‘Big Mo’ Kody Mommaerts

[20 January 2024 22:36 · Alex Pattle]

Natasha Jonas vs Mikaela Mayer LIVE

Round two

Mayer with a pawing left hook and a right cross. Jonas fires back, and the crowd loves that.

Great work from Mayer now, as she doubles up on a left hook, going to the body then head.

Nice movement from Jonas, who rolls under a punch and lands a right hook to the body while stepping out of Mayer’s range.

Mayer is stalking Jonas, firing off straight rights and lefts – with mixed success.

A scrappy exchange finishes off the round.

[20 January 2024 22:33 · Alex Pattle]

Natasha Jonas vs Mikaela Mayer LIVE

Round one

Mayer stands orthodox, Jonas stands southpaw with her Union Jack gloves raised.

Mayer flicks out a few straight shots, but Jonas fires back with a combination of hooks and uppercuts, eliciting cheers from the Liverpool crowd.

Great counter cross from Jonas. Mayer wings a right hook into the body of the champion.

Jonas with her own body shot, a short left. Stinging jab by Mayer, upstairs.

Jonas with a counter jab late in the round.

[20 January 2024 22:30 · Alex Pattle]

Natasha Jonas vs Mikaela Mayer LIVE

Here we go. Ten two-minute rounds scheduled for the IBF welterweight title.

Jonas, 39, is the hometown fighter and defending champion in Liverpool.

Mayer, 33, is the challenger from the United States.

Jonas is a two-weight world champion, Mayer is looking to become a two-weight world champion.

The fighter introductions are complete. LET’S GO!

[20 January 2024 22:26 · Alex Pattle]

Natasha Jonas vs Mikaela Mayer LIVE

The home national anthem gets more boos than the US one!

[20 January 2024 22:24 · Alex Pattle]

Natasha Jonas vs Mikaela Mayer LIVE

A great reception as Jonas emerges, as you’d expect!

[20 January 2024 22:20 · Alex Pattle]

Natasha Jonas vs Mikaela Mayer LIVE

Lots of boos for Mayer, who emerges to the sound of The Beatles’ “Love Me Do”!

A bold bid to win over the home fans in Liverpool?

[20 January 2024 22:19 · Alex Pattle]

Natasha Jonas vs Mikaela Mayer LIVE

The ring walks are about to begin!

While you wait, why not check out our main-event preview?

[20 January 2024 22:12 · Alex Pattle]

Natasha Jonas vs Mikaela Mayer LIVE

One fight to go, and it’s the main event...

Natasha Jonas defends the IBF welterweight title against Mikaela Mayer.

(Getty Images)

[20 January 2024 22:04 · Alex Pattle]

Jonas vs Mayer LIVE: Jack Cullen vs Zak Chelli

Zak Chelli def. Jack Cullen via unanimous decision (116-113, 116-112, 115-114).

AND NEW! Chelli settles the feud, more than three years after his draw with Cullen!

The right decision.

[20 January 2024 22:01 · Alex Pattle]

Jonas vs Mayer LIVE: Jack Cullen vs Zak Chelli

Round 12

Cullen might just need a finish here. Chelli sticks to his gameplan.

There’s some rough boxing at close range. It’s a really scrappy round.

We’ll go the judges’ scorecards...