Mayer: Athletes face backlash from trash talk

Boxing is distinctive due to its culture of trash talk, which can lead to intense confrontations in the ring. Mikaela Mayer, a three-weight world champion, has experienced the harsh realities of her sport firsthand. Despite her recent successes, including a multi-year contract with Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions, Mayer remains grounded and aware of the pitfalls that come with her profession. One of the most significant challenges she has faced is dealing with online hate and criticism, particularly after suffering her first professional loss to Alycia Baumgardner. Mayer notes that the experience of being bashed online can be overwhelming, especially when combined with the pressure to perform and the feeling of personal failure. However, she credits her team and support system with helping her to navigate these difficulties and regain her confidence. Mayer believes that promoting fights is a necessary part of a boxer's routine, but it can also leave them vulnerable to online toxicity. She advises young athletes to stay strong mentally, block out the noise, and maintain their online presence, even in the face of criticism. Mayer also emphasizes the importance of finding a unique selling point to stand out in the sport, as being a skilled boxer is no longer enough to guarantee success. Female athletes, in particular, face the challenge of promoting themselves and their sports while dealing with potential online abuse. As Georgia Evans, a rugby international, points out, women's sports are often subject to different expectations and scrutiny than men's sports, and female athletes must be proactive in promoting themselves and their personalities to build a fan base and achieve equality.