Mikaela Mayer

"Wasn’t Impressed” With Alycia Baumgardner

Performance vs Shin - Talks Claressa Shields!

(April 20th) After IBF/WBO World Super Featherweight Champion Alycia Baumgardner’s post fight press conference on a possible rematch with Mikaela Mayer, the WBC/WBO World Super Welter Champion Mayer isn’t sold—and she’s not staying quiet.

 

Fresh off Alycia Baumgardner’s win over Shin, Mayer gives a blunt assessment: strong start, but a drop-off that left her “not impressed,” questioning Baumgardner’s ability to handle three-minute rounds and calling out the lack of sustained work rate.

 

But the bigger story? Mayer is done waiting.

 

She puts the rematch front and center, saying Baumgardner is overlooking a “super fight” already on the table—and warns that chasing names like Katie Taylor could be a risky move with no guarantees. Mayer makes it clear: she’ll drop to 140 to make it happen.

 

And she’s not stopping there.

 

Mayer also weighs in on Claressa Shields, backing much of Shields’ recent criticism and revealing real talks are already happening for a potential clash—even if it means jumping divisions again.

 

From calling out rivals to lining up major fights, Mayer is positioning herself for the biggest names in boxing—and she’s ready to move now.

Transcript for K.O. Artist Sports - Interview

0:08

Steen Coro Kard Sports for Fight Hub TV right here with Mikella Michaela Mayor. Uh that's your LA name. [laughter]

0:16

But um man, uh just want to get off to it. You know, Lisa Bumgardner beat um beat Shin uh last night on ESPN. The

0:24

first uh you know, fight back for for boxing on ESPN. just uh just what were your thoughts on her performance?

0:30

Um I thought uh I thought she looked really good the first four rounds and then um you know it fell off. You know

0:38

it was three three-minute round fights but not I've always said it not everyone can handle three-minute rounds and I I don't personally think that she's a

0:46

three-minute round fighter. Um four rounds she was strong and that's um 1 2 3 4 you know that's like 12 minutes into a regular fight. So maybe she's an

0:55

eight-minute round fighter. I don't know. But um wasn't impressed with the with the work rate. Um and obviously I think she's a better fighter than Shin.

1:04

I don't really think Shin had anything for her. You know, not good not very good defense. Not enough um offense when it came to closing that space and

1:12

getting in on her. But uh what she did what Bombgunner did throw was good. The first four rounds, five rounds, pretty good. You know, some your name was brought up,

1:19

right? I mean, it's it's it should be.

1:21

not only are you one of the the better uh fighters in and around her division,

1:25

but now you're you're kind of part of the squad, right? Like with MVP. So, and she kind of shut it down pretty quickly.

1:31

She noticed that. Yeah, she has been shutting it down. I don't know why. I don't know why she tends to shut down.

1:36

She she talks about wanting these super fights, you know, and uh there there's not many when you when you come across a rival in in boxing, especially women's

1:44

boxing, like you got to you got to run with it. And you know, I know she wants the super fights and to her, I guess that's only Katie or Serrano, but I mean, she's got a big super fight

1:53

sitting here on the table that she's losing out on with me, the rematch with me. And I I know I've gone up and away,

1:58

but I've told her that I' or I've mentioned that I would meet her down at 140. And I think that if you want to be a part of big super fights, hello. You can't sleep on this one. So, I'm here.

2:08

I'm ready. I meet her at 140 when she's ready. I was going to say I I know she brought up Katie Taylor and Serrano, but Serrano believe is going back down to

2:15

featherweight, right? Like uh [clears throat] Taylor is clear that she's one more fight and she she's out of here. So,

2:21

listen, we all we all want the call to fight Katie Taylor, okay? But you can't base your your your moves around it right now because it's it's up in the

2:29

air and it's all really what Katie wants to do. So, we don't know what she's deciding. She has a lot of options. She can do whatever she wants. She's earned

2:36

that she's earned that right. So, I don't think sitting around and and waiting for that fight and disregarding any other potential big fight or rivalry

2:43

is the smartest business move. Um because again, we just don't know what Katie's going to do. So, you know, we'll see.

2:50

You know, Clarissa, she obviously had her words with uh with Bumgardner over the years. Clarissa was pretty vocal, you know, about about her and, you know,

2:58

just said just keep my name out of your mouth and stuff like about Shadea as well. just what what was do did you feel Clarissa kind of was uh you know maybe

3:06

correct in in what she said or at least has you know something to stand on being that she is you know the No, I I watched her video on YouTube. I thought it was funny and I I mean I

3:15

didn't disagree with a lot of it. I mean I thought it was funny and pretty on point. It was but it was very clear like straight to the point. No shit's given.

3:22

Like um you know I feel bad for Shadia and I hope she's okay. I know her from the amateurs. I care a lot about her. I think she's a great person. Um, I've always liked her a lot, but you know,

3:34

she had to get through Lonnie Daniels to get a fight with Clarissa. So, in this sense, I don't think that fight really is going to happen anymore.

3:40

[clears throat]

3:41

And I was I was definitely like disappointed in Shadeshia's performance like cuz I know I know her. I know she's a good fighter. I just don't think that she did what she had to do that fight.

3:50

You know, too much defense, sitting on the ropes. Um, you know, I know Lonnie Daniels had a totally different game plan than she did with Clarissa. she was boxing and moving with Clarissa and I

3:58

think that was smart to do for someone like Clarissa, but um she pressed Shadja and pushed her back and got her on the ropes and it's just sad, you know, that

4:06

that's the way boxing goes. I think she had a big fight lined up with Clarissa and that could have been a life-changing situation and now she got to go back to the drawing board and kind of like

4:14

re-evaluate, navigate her career, and I've been there and it's tough. So, I wish her the best.

4:18

You know, Clarissa has mentioned your name more recently, which kind of surprising I feel like just cuz you're,

4:24

you know, so much smaller than she is. I feel like and obviously she's a heavyweight and I I feel like I've seen you guys throughout the years. You guys seem real cool. I mean it seems very

4:31

friendly still even online, but I mean I don't know what's what's the Have you talked to her like through the DMs or or just phone calls like what's going on or or trying to set it up?

4:38

It's legit. Our teams have been talking.

4:40

I know that I have fought all over from 130 to you know 154 now. But I think that's just like the the blessing

4:49

I have with like my body weight and my my size and my my you know my height and my reach and all that. I can I can really fluctuate and do what I have to do for the biggest possible fight. So,

4:58

like I said, I'd go down to 140 for a rematch with Bombgardner or, you know,

5:02

if I get that call from Katie Taylor and I'd go up to 164 Clarissa Shields. So, I think that now that maybe Shadesha is out out of the picture when it comes to

5:10

that fight, um maybe maybe I bumped up a spot. So, um I'm here and ready. It's just up to her. I know she's working her way down to 160. You know, she said

5:18

she's doing that. I believe that. So, um when she's ready, I'm ready. Have you guys like talked personally just outside of the socials and stuff like that about it?

5:25

A little bit. A little bit. Not We've talked a little bit, but not really so much about that, but we've gone back and forth a little bit on Twitter and stuff saying Instagram, you know, saying, "All

5:34

right, let's see. We'll see you this year." So, I know that she's on board.

5:37

She's mentioned it. So, it's just about her getting down to wait and when when what that time frame is and um I don't really see any other obstacles because

5:45

I'm pretty easy to work with and I'm ready to go. So, I've said before, I want the biggest and best fights. I just signed the last contract of my career.

5:51

So, let's go. Like, I want one hard fight back to back. I think I got Shantel Cameron next. I'm negotiating that right now. Um, and then that's at

5:59

154, but again, I walk around at like 152, 53. So, it's not like I'm putting on a bunch of weight to get there. And then it's it's I got to hold it though

6:06

cuz it's like, okay, am I going to drop down to 140 and take on a challenge there, or am I going to bump up to 160 and take on Clarissa Shield? So, I'm

6:14

here ready for whatever's next, but again, I'm not going to sit and wait around. I think I'm really lucky in a sense where I have a lot of options. So, I'm going to keep staying busy. Like,

6:22

everyone thought I was going to fight Lauren Price next, but that's taking way too freaking long. Like, you can't get a deal done with her and her team. So, I'm going to do the next best

6:30

option, which is unifying with Shantel Cameron, which is a fight I've always wanted.

6:34

Is that going to be here or um So, MVP told me that my next fight will be August 8th in the LA area. If we get

6:42

that fight done with Shantel, I assume it will be there just because that's when they, you know, they have to they have to fight me. I was hoping to fight April, May, June, but because of the negotiations and the new deal I signed,

6:53

it's not available to August. So, it is what it is. But, um, that's the option.

6:57

So, she might just have to come here and get it done here. Man, exciting stuff. Exciting stuff.

7:02

Looking forward to seeing what uh what plays out with you. Uh, just just real quick, uh, just some boxing stuff. You know, a big fight in two weeks here in

7:09

Vegas. uh Cinco de Mayo weekend Zudo versus David Benvitas the the monster you know he's moving up in weight right

7:17

again like this this is 25 pounds this isn't 67 lbs like some of the other weight classes are from each other but you know it is David Benovitz right

7:25

I mean what are your thoughts he fights at I don't care he can go to the he can fight freaking Goliath like I would still bet on him I think he's a great fighter he's really

7:34

sound in his professional style um and when he's he smells blood right so when he sees his opponent hurt. He lets his hands go and I just wouldn't bet against

7:42

him probably especially against someone like Zordo which you know I think he's a great fighter. We were on the top ranked team together for a while but um yeah I wouldn't put put my money against Benvitas right now.

7:51

Uh we're here at the Mayweather gym just Mayweather is supposed to be fighting Pacquiao again in September. You know we'll well we'll see right I guess you

7:58

know we'll talk to him today and and see what he says but just uh if it does happen I don't know what are your thoughts? Um, you know, we saw a

8:05

Pacquiao fight recently and uh, he looked good, but I don't think um, it was anything like super spectacular. I

8:14

think that he did what he had to do and is very impressive for the, you know,

8:17

the age that he's at, still being that sharp and smart. But, um, you know, I think Floyd is is that if if not more.

8:26

So, again, just like I wouldn't kind of go against Benvdas, I don't think I'm going to go against Floyd, but I think it'll be great for the sport. I'm hope it happens. just uh you you mentioned um

8:35

just like the Olympia I guess being here with the amateurs too. It kind of reminded me of of you know your your time with the the Olympians and obviously you as an Olympian as well.

8:42

And um I just I just saw the video again of uh Richard Torres and like Shushu and then like you know like Torres like

8:51

doing like this invisible string kick and kind of hitting Shushu across the head and just it made me think about all those guys. Keshan, you know, those guys. Just of of all those guys, which

9:00

is like the the funniest guy to be around? Which is you guys? Like, oh, I I'm I'm So, Richard is hilarious. Richard is such like a good down to earth type

9:07

person. It's like so funny when you get someone like that. I can kind of relate to that, too, cuz I kind of maybe people haven't seen that about me, but I feel like I'm a pretty down to earth like silly type of person, too. And he just

9:16

like owns that. Even though we're in a sport where you're supposed to be like super tough and badass, like he just is who he is. Um, and I think that's what makes him so relatable and and fun. But

9:24

he's definitely the way you see him like on social media is the way he is in real life. Oh, he is. Yeah. Yeah. [laughter]

9:29

Uh Miguel, I appreciate your time. Tell the fans uh just I guess so we have a date LA day LA. We just don't have an opponent just we do. We have a date

9:37

August 8th is the word right now. Um in Los Angeles area, Penango Casino, I believe. And um right now we're we're working with to get that fight done with

9:46

Shantel Cameron. You know, she's always been on my hit list. Um we're we're actually friends. you know, we we just trained back to get back in the day with our team GB versus Team USA. So, we know

9:54

each other well, but we we we want the big fights and we think it'll make a good fight. I think our styles will make for a very competitive fight because we both like to come forward and bang it out and either one of us are going to be

10:02

running. Um, but I mean, I have to say like I do think I have the best inside game of any female fighter right now. Like I I know how to work on the inside.

10:11

It's gotten even better since I've started training with Kofi and turning my shots and, you know, putting my punches together. So, um, I obviously have myself coming on top there, but

10:20

regardless, it's going to be a great fight and action-packed, and that's what the fans want to see. So, I'm about giving the fight the fans the fights they want to see, not avoiding them.

10:28

It seemed like that was a message for for somebody in particular, but or whoever you want to relate it to, you know, you would [laughter] know.

10:35

I appreciate your time. Thank you so much.

10:45

[music]

 

To view Mikaela Mayer's earlier interview with Travis "The Whats Next Kid" Smith (click here).