Jamel Herring once again had to withdraw from a fight after testing positive with Coronavirus. Herring was scheduled to be in the main event Tuesday, July 14 versus Jonathan Oquendo. Herring (21-2, 10 KO) versus Oquendo (31-6, 19 KO) was initially scheduled for July 2nd and now things are looking like Herring will fight until August.
Despite the fact that Herring had to reschedule his fight a second time, he did shine a positive light on women’s boxing and cheered on Mikaela Mayer.
This was the first time a women’s fight was the main event for Top Rank on ESPN. Mikaela Mayer now (13-0, 5 KO) and Helen Joseph (17-5-2, 10 KO) did not disappoint.
It was exciting watching two skilled women headline a primetime fight. Not only was Tuesday night’s fight historical, but it was empowering. Something about seeing other women make a breakthrough and change a narrative is fulfilling.
Mayer’s current trainer, Al Mitchell, at one time did not have faith in women boxers.
“They are the weak ones,” said Mitchell. “ Who wants to train a girl?”
It was not long that Mitchell had a change of heart.
When Mitchell first started training Mayer he had asked her what she would do in the evenings. To which Mayer responded that she was bartending at night.
“She was in the gym, doing weights, doing the ropes at five in the morning, I asked Mayer when she had time to sleep,” said coach Mitchell. “ I know none of the guys I was training would go through all of that.”
Mayer has since then become an Olympian boxer and the first woman to sign with Top Rank.
After testing positive for Covid-19, coach Mitchell unfortunately was not able to be ringside at Mayers main card event Tuesday night. Following this headline fight, Mayer proved she has what it takes to be able to have a title fight and go against big names.
Mayer did land 195 punches of the 538 thrown. Whereas, Joseph landed 86 punches of the 377 thrown. Mayer showed major strength and stamina throughout the fight. She kept control of the fight and kept her undefeated record.
Could this historic fight be the start of a new era in women’s boxing? Will there be more women headlining a prime time fight?
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