Mikaela Mayer defeated Sandy Ryan by majority decision in New York, but the Briton was hit with can of red paint ahead of the clash.
Sandy Ryan was hit with a can of red paint just hours before losing her WBO welterweight world title to Mikaela Mayer.
The aftermath of the paint stunt! 🤯
And Still, @sandyryan93 👑 #RyanMayer pic.twitter.com/TL5QVGR2uk
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) September 28, 2024
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She revealed that the incident happened as she made her way to the venue for her title defence.
Ryan said: “Before coming to the venue, I had a hit and run [with paint outside the hotel]. And that was definitely set up. I’m not taking nothing away from the win, but it unsettled me.”
Drama in New York 🤯
Someone has thrown paint over @sandyryan93 on her way to MSG!
Victory will only be sweeter 😤 #RyanMayer pic.twitter.com/3mhnrgQroh
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) September 28, 2024
“Walking to the venue, I was shook up. And then it threw me off a bit of my game plan because I just wanted to fight. And you saw at the start of the fight, I was handling her quite well on the jab. I was boxing her and then I started to pick it up. But then, I was obviously pushing it too hard.”
Mayer has denied her team being involved.
She said: “I heard that paint had been thrown on Sandy. I had no idea. I was shocked. I thought it was horrible. I would never go that far.
“Then I heard that she thought it had something to do with me and my team, which is disappointing. Obviously Sandy is my rival and my opponent but I would never go that far.
Mayer defeated Ryan with the judges scoring the bout: 97-93 and 96-94, 95-95.