Mayer: Athletes Face Unique Challenges in Dealing with Online Criticism

Boxing is distinct in that it involves a great deal of trash talk, followed by intense physical competition in the ring. Mikaela Mayer, a three-weight world champion and recent signee to Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions, offers a pragmatic perspective on her sport. She is aware of the potential pitfalls, including the intense hate and criticism that can come when things don't go as planned in the ring. Mayer recalls her first professional loss, a split decision to Alycia Baumgardner four years ago, as a particularly difficult time. "I think for me, the toughest period was after my first loss. I was dealing with my own career pressures and goals, feeling like I'd failed myself. Then, going online and seeing the world criticizing me was really tough," Mayer shared with Sky Sports. "Because we're the ones engaging in trash talk, people feel they can do the same. It's a struggle, as you're already dealing with your own pain and trying to stay motivated, and then you're faced with online backlash, feeling like the world is against you." Mayer credits her team and support system with helping her rebuild her confidence. She returned to the ring six months later, debuting at lightweight and securing the WBC interim lightweight title. "It's not easy to handle, but over time, you learn to navigate it better. With a good team, management, and friends who keep your spirits high, you can stay on track. Even when you're feeling uncertain, you've just got to keep showing up," Mayer said. As a boxer, promoting fights is part of the routine, but Mayer has learned that even in the face of losses, it's crucial not to let criticism get the best of you. "I definitely took a step back from social media after my first loss. It took me a couple of years to get back to a good mental state. Looking back, I was really struggling, and I did take a break from social media for a bit," she reflected. "My advice would be not to let criticism hold you back and disappear from what you've built. You've got to keep the momentum going, stay strong mentally, block out the noise, and keep building your fan base. It's not easy, but time and experience help." This challenge is not unique to boxing; many female athletes face similar difficulties in promoting themselves and their sports while dealing with potential online toxicity. Georgia Evans, a Wales and Saracens rugby international, also spoke about the social media abuse she faced during the Women's World Cup. "It's tough because we're always fighting for equality with men, but we have to acknowledge that women's sport is different. Social media is huge, and we can showcase our personalities, which is a new world for us. We have to put ourselves out there to achieve equality, whereas men don't have to do as much. That's the big thing. We're fighting for equality, but we have to recognize the differences that make women's sport so incredible," Evans said. Mayer agrees that social media is a valuable tool for female boxers to promote themselves but emphasizes the importance of finding a unique selling point to stand out from the competition. "I've told girls coming into the sport that it's not enough just to be a good boxer. You have to look the part, promote yourself, and do extra things. Being talented isn't enough. There are many great boxers who haven't made it to the top because we have to choose who will be the face of the sport. It's not just about talent; you need to find something that sets you apart, something that will catch the fans' attention and make them want to see you."