Mayer: Athletes Face Harsh Criticism from the Public

Boxing stands out for its unique blend of intense verbal sparring and physical confrontation in the ring. Mikaela Mayer, a three-weight world champion since October and newly signed to Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions, takes a pragmatic view of her sport, acknowledging its challenges. She recalls the difficulties she faced after her first professional loss to Alycia Baumgardner by split decision four years ago, where she had to cope with unfamiliar territory and the harsh criticism that followed. "When you're dealing with your own pain and trying to stay motivated, and then you're bashed online, it feels like the whole world is against you," Mayer shared with Sky Sports. This experience, however, made her stronger, thanks to the support of her team, which helped rebuild her confidence. She returned to the ring six months later, debuting at lightweight and clinching the WBC interim lightweight title. Mayer emphasizes the importance of learning to navigate these challenges over time with the help of a good support team. Promoting fights is a routine part of a boxer's life, but Mayer has learned that even in the face of losses, it's crucial not to let criticism get the better of you. After her first loss, she significantly reduced her social media presence, taking a couple of years to regain her mental footing. Her advice to others is not to let criticism hold them back and to keep building their momentum and fan base. This dilemma is not unique to boxing but is faced by sportswomen across various disciplines, who must promote themselves and their sports while being vulnerable to online toxicity. As Georgia Evans, a Wales and Saracens rugby international, noted when discussing the social media abuse she faced for her choice of hairstyle during the Women's World Cup, women's sport is distinct and requires athletes to be proactive on social media to achieve equality with men. Mayer agrees that social media is a crucial tool for female boxers to promote themselves but also believes they need to find a unique aspect that sets them apart from their competitors. "For a female boxer, it's not enough just to be good at boxing. You need to look the part, promote yourself, and find something that makes you stand out from the rest," Mayer advises.