Mikaela Mayer has called new claims made against her by Sandy Ryan following a paint incident that ruined their fight over the weekend “baseless”.
Ryan was hit with a can of red paint and claimed he had been “set up” before losing his WBO welterweight world title to Mikaela Mayer in New York.
She entered the ring at Madison Square Garden as scheduled, despite her trainer’s advice, but lost by majority decision, making Mayer the world champion.
Mayer denied any connection to the incident and said he was “as surprised as everyone else.”
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Highlights of the WBO welterweight title fight between Ryan and Mayer
On Monday, Ryan made new claims that there was also a “smear campaign” ahead of the fight, with flyers and “defamatory texts” posted near his hotel and Madison Square Garden. She also said she had received “threatening messages” and confirmed police were currently investigating the incident.
Mayer’s team quickly denied the new allegations, calling them “baseless” and welcomed the police investigation.
In a statement on social media, Ryan said: “The NYPD has confirmed that they are investigating several incidents (including a paint attack) that occurred throughout my day of fighting in New York last Friday. Due to the nature of these incidents and additional threatening anonymous messages being sent to team members, I I was advised to leave New York as soon as possible and have now returned to England.
“Obviously the paint attack received a lot of coverage, but I was also subjected to a disgusting and pathetic smear campaign on the day of the fight, with hundreds of leaflets containing my image and defamatory text being distributed and posted on the streets around my hotel and Madison Square Garden both before and after the fight.
“I think everyone can draw their own conclusions about who benefited from this incident. The incident was clearly planned and available CCTV footage shows that several people were involved in carrying it out.
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Ryan believed Mayer’s team was behind the paint-throwing incident as he was leaving his hotel to defend his WBO welterweight title, but Mayer disputed the accusation.
“My opponent likes to hold himself up as a role model for young boxers, so you would have thought he or her team would have made a definitive statement of their own following the fight to distance themselves from these incidents, but so far she has barely I couldn’t do anything, which is ironic considering how much she said about me in preparation for the fight.
“I will never back down from a fight. I have too much pride and have tried too hard to let these pathetic incidents make me back out of a fight, especially when that fight gave me the opportunity to achieve. Madison Square A dream to headline a card at the Garden. I felt the fight itself was close, but ESPN had me win by two rounds and so did many other respected boxing observers. I know I made him win, but considering everything that has happened, I think an immediate rematch is needed.
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Mayer has denied involvement in the incident where he threw paint at Ryan ahead of their WBO welterweight title fight.
“I have dedicated my life to this sport and I am very grateful for the opportunities it has given me. Boxing deserves so much more than this kind of violence. I know this will not break me and it will make me more determined than ever to leave. I can guarantee that I will find my mark in this sport for years to come.
“Finally, I’d like to thank all the boxing fans and the many great people I met in New York last week and everyone who showed their support after the fight. I’ve received nothing but love from them and can’t wait to get back to headlining in Madison.” Square Garden in the future.”
In response, Meyer shared a statement from coach George Ruiz, saying: “I must respond to your recent baseless accusations. Let me be clear: no one associated with Tim Mayer had anything to do with the paint attack on you or the flyers and anonymous threatening messages you claim to have received.
“Mikaela and Team Mayer immediately condemned the paint assault. We encourage a thorough and detailed investigation by the NYPD into the incident, including a careful review of hotel CCTV and street camera footage. Mikaela and Team Mayer hope that the perpetrator will be found.” I want to be caught and punished to the highest degree prescribed by law.
“Further accusations against Mikaela and Team Mayer will diminish your incredible performance in the ring that night and make it seem like you are making excuses for the loss. You would be better off watching your own corner.”
