British boxer Sandy Ryan faced an unexpected challenge just hours before her highly anticipated WBO welterweight world title bout against Mikaela Mayer at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theatre.
As Ryan was leaving her hotel en route to the venue on Friday evening, she was reportedly struck by a red paint can thrown by an unidentified assailant. The incident left the boxer and her team stunned, prompting them to notify the New York Police Department of the alleged vandalism.
Ryan took to social media on Saturday to share her experience, stating she was still “trying to process” what had occurred. She revealed that her team had obtained CCTV footage of the incident and was cooperating with authorities to investigate the matter further.
The build-up to the match had already been fraught with tension, stemming from Ryan’s decision to work with Mayer’s former longtime trainer, Kay Koroma. Mayer had previously expressed feelings of betrayal over this development, adding a personal edge to their professional rivalry.
Despite the unsettling incident, Ryan proceeded to the venue after changing her attire at the hotel. She managed to avoid any major injuries, but later suggested that the attack had affected her performance in the ring.
The bout itself proved to be a closely contested affair, with both fighters showcasing their skills and determination. Ultimately, Mayer emerged victorious by majority decision (95-95, 97-93, 96-94), claiming the WBO welterweight championship.
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In the aftermath of her win, Mayer, a former unified female super-featherweight champion and 2016 Olympian, expressed her desire to pursue further unification of the welterweight titles.
