Boxing stands out for its trash talk, followed by intense physical combat in the ring. Mikaela Mayer, a three-weight world champion and recent signee to Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions, acknowledges the pitfalls of her sport, including the hate that follows a loss. She recalls her first professional defeat to Alycia Baumgardner, where she struggled with the pressure and online criticism.
"When you're dealing with your own pain and trying to stay motivated, and then you're being bashed online, it feels like the world hates you," Mayer told Sky Sports. However, she credits her team with helping her regain confidence and notes that experience has taught her to navigate these challenges better. Mayer advises fellow athletes not to let criticism hold them back, saying, "You've got to keep the momentum going.
You've got to stay strong mentally... block out the noise, keep showing up, and keep building your fan base." This dilemma is not unique to boxing, as female athletes across various sports face online toxicity while trying to promote themselves and their sports.
Georgia Evans, a Wales and Saracens rugby international, also spoke about the social media abuse she faced during the Women's World Cup. Evans believes that while women's sports are fighting for equality with men's sports, they must also acknowledge their differences and leverage social media to showcase their unique personalities.
Mayer agrees that social media is a crucial tool for female boxers but emphasizes the need to find a distinctive 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.
You have to look the part, promote yourself, and find something that separates you from everybody else," she advises.