Boxing stands out for its unique blend of intense trash talk and physical combat. 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 acknowledges the potential pitfalls, including the hate and criticism that can come when things don't go as planned in the ring. Mayer recalls her first professional loss to Alycia Baumgardner, which left her feeling like she'd failed herself.

The experience was further exacerbated by the harsh online criticism she faced. "It's like, because we're the ones talking trash, they feel they can talk trash too," Mayer explained.

"You're dealing with your own pain, trying to stay motivated, and then you're being bashed online, feeling like the world hates you." However, Mayer believes this challenging experience ultimately made her stronger, crediting her team with helping her regain confidence. She returned to the ring six months later, debuting at lightweight and securing the WBC interim lightweight title. Mayer emphasizes the importance of navigating online criticism and maintaining a strong support system.

"It's not easy to deal with, but over time, you learn to navigate it better with a good team around you," she said. Promoting fights is a routine part of a boxer's career, but Mayer has learned that even in the face of losses, it's crucial not to let criticism get the best of you. She advises against disappearing from social media and instead encourages athletes to keep building their fan base and staying strong mentally. This dilemma is not unique to boxing; many female athletes across various sports face the challenge of promoting themselves while being vulnerable to online toxicity.

As Georgia Evans, a Wales and Saracens rugby international, noted, women's sports are distinct from men's, and social media can be a double-edged sword. While it provides a platform for self-promotion and building a personal brand, it also leaves athletes exposed to abuse. Mayer recognizes the importance of social media for female boxers but stresses the need to find a unique selling point to stand out from the competition.

"As a female coming into the sport, it's not good enough just to be a good boxer," she said. "You have to look the part, promote yourself, and find something that separates you from everyone else."