Mikaela Mayer, a three-weight world champion, has a pragmatic view of her sport, acknowledging the pitfalls that come with it. Boxing is distinct in its blend of trash talk and physical confrontation, as Mayer noted, "We punch each other in the face after all the trash talk." She reflected on her first professional loss to Alycia Baumgardner, which led to her facing intense online criticism. Mayer told Sky Sports, "I felt like I'd failed myself, and then the whole world was bashing me online." She believes this experience made her stronger, crediting her team for helping her regain confidence. Mayer advises fellow boxers not to let criticism hold them back, saying, "Don't fall off social media, keep the momentum going, and stay strong mentally." This challenge is not unique to boxing but is faced by women in sports, who must navigate promoting themselves while avoiding online toxicity.
Georgia Evans, a rugby international, shared similar experiences, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the differences between men's and women's sports. Mayer suggests that female boxers need to find a unique selling point beyond just being skilled, saying, "Find something that separates you from everybody else, something that will catch the fans' attention and make them want to see you."