2020 Jul 14

Mikaela Mayer vs. Helen Joseph

10 rounds, junior lightweights

Mikaela Mayer (12-0) with 5 stoppages has received an incredible oppurtunity to be the main event of Top Rank´s Tuesday night card after Herring-Oquendo was cancelled for the 2nd time. Mayer is facing perhaps her toughest test as a professional in experienced Nigerian Helen Joseph (17-4-2). In Joseph´s last fight she fought Delfine Persoon and gave her a run for her money. She made it tough for Persoon but it wasn´t enough for the victory. Persoon as we know, gave Katie Taylor a tough challenge in losing a disputed decision and Helen Joseph was able to have a few good moments with Persoon so she does have some strengths and qualities that can´t be overlooked here. Mikaela Mayer has been brought along the correct way and she has gotten the good Top Rank treatment which is to say that she has been matched carefully and favorably. She has not been in a situation in a fight where she had to overcome something. She has also been the favorite against every one she has faced. Top Rank hasn´t rushed her career to fast because they know the exact level she is at and they do have some of the best matchmakers in the world. In this fight we have a scenario where Mikaela Mayer is in her first fight since the pandemic and she is facing the biggest test of her career in Joseph which is a risk, but a calculated one on Top Ranks behalf. Helen Joseph is good and tough but the she is giving up a lot of size in this fight. Joseph is really a super bantamweight 122-pound fighter and she fought as low as 115 pounds as late as 2018. Mayer is a true 130-pounder and she sometimes has difficulties to even make that weight it seems. And you add that Mayer is the big a-side in this fight with a lot of money invested from Top Rank and it is easy to see the expected outcome of this fight. (sign in to view our prediction & pick)

Mayer will do what she is supposed to do and that is win. She will have it tough at times with Joseph who will try her best to land something big and she is not easily discouraged. Most likely this is a fight that hears the final bell and Mayer will be victorious. We have to settle for -900 (1.11 decimal odds) on Mikaela Mayer to win this fight.

The Pick: Mikaela Mayer to win fight
Odds: -900 (1.11 decimal odds)
Units: 10
Start time: 8pm ET / 5pm PT