WEEK OF FIGHT

Natasha Jonas will defend her 147-pound title against former 130-pound champion Mikaela Mayer on Saturday in Liverpool, England, Jonas’ hometown.

NATASHA JONAS (14-2-1, 9 KOs)VS. MIKAELA MAYER (19-1, 5 KOs)

Date: Saturday, January 20 Time: 2 pm ET / 11 am PT (main event later in the show) Where: Echo Arena, Liverpool, England TV/Streaming: ESPN+ Division: Welterweight (147 pounds) On Play: Title Jonas IBF Odds: Jonas 1½-1 ​​favorite (average of multiple starts) Also on the card: Jack Cullen vs. Zak Chelli, super middleweights; Mark Jeffers vs. Germaine Brown, super middleweights; Aaron McKenna vs. Linus Udofia, middleweights; Mark Jeffers vs. Germaine Brown, Super Middleweight Prediction: Jonas SD Background: Jonas is at the top of his game at 39 years old. The Liverpool native became a two-division champion when she dropped from 154 pounds to 147 and stopped Kandi Wyatt in eight rounds in July, giving her a vacant title. Jonas has won five straight fights since she lost a close decision to 135-pound champion Katie Taylor in 2021. Mayer might be her best opponent since Taylor. The skilled 33-year-old from Southern California, who is significantly taller than Jonas, is a former 130-pound champion who lost her belts to Alycia Baumgardner by a disputed decision in 2022. She moved up to 135 for her next fight and then 140 (actually 141¼) in her most recent fight, a decision shutout over Silvia Bortot last September. She is now making her debut as a 147-pounder in front of her opponent’s hometown fans, which should be a major challenge for the 2016 U.S. Olympian.

ALSO FIGHT THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY

Luis Feliciano vs. Mykquan Williams, junior welterweight, Plant City, Florida (ProBox TV)

FRIDAY

Cris Cyborg vs. Kelsey Wickstrum, junior middleweight, Temecula, California (Spectation Sports)