Boxing stands apart from many other sports because it thrives on a blend of bravado and physical confrontation – a lot of trash‑talk precedes a bout, and then the fighters step into the ring to exchange blows. Mikaela Mayer, who has been riding a wave of success as a three‑division world champion since October and recently inked a multi‑year deal with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, speaks candidly about the realities of her profession.
She is well aware of the pitfalls that accompany high‑profile competition. The backlash she endured after a setback in the ring is a case in point. Four years ago, Mayer found herself in unfamiliar territory when she suffered her first professional defeat, a split‑decision loss to Alycia Baumgardner. That experience taught her how quickly the tide can turn.
"The toughest period for me was after my first loss," Mayer told Sky Sports. "I was juggling the pressures of my own career, my personal ambitions, and the feeling that I had let myself down. Then I went online and the world was tearing me apart." She explained that the nature of trash‑talk in boxing creates a two‑way street: "Because we’re the ones throwing the barbs, people think they have the right to throw them back.
It’s a real struggle – you’re dealing with your own disappointment, trying to stay motivated and hungry, and then you log onto social media and you’re being bashed. It can feel like the whole world hates you." Mayer says that adversity ultimately made her stronger. With the support of her team, she rebuilt her confidence and returned to the ring six months later, this time at lightweight, where she captured the WBC interim lightweight title.
"It’s not easy to handle," she admitted, "but over time you learn to navigate it better. A solid team – good management, friends who lift your spirits, and mentors who keep you on track – makes all the difference.
Even when you wonder how things will end up, you have to keep showing up and rely on that support network." Promoting fights has become a routine part of a boxer’s life, essential for ticket sales and staying in the headlines. Mayer has learned a harsh lesson: even after a loss – she has only been defeated twice in her career, the second time by Natasha Jonas in Liverpool in 2024 – it is crucial not to let the critics win. "I pulled back from social media for a while after my first loss.
It took me a couple of years to get back to a healthy mental state," she recalled. "I’m fine now, but looking back I was really struggling, so I stepped away from the platforms for a bit." Her advice to other athletes is clear: "Don’t disappear. Don’t let criticism silence you or make you abandon everything you’ve built.
Keep the momentum going. Stay mentally strong, block out the noise, keep showing up, and keep growing your fan base. It isn’t easy, but time and experience help you develop resilience." This dilemma is not unique to boxing; it echoes across women’s sport in general.
Female athletes often have to promote themselves and their disciplines to attract new audiences, which inevitably places them in a vulnerable position and opens the door to online toxicity. Georgia Evans, a Wales and Saracens rugby international, shared a similar experience with Sky Sports. She recounted the abuse she faced on social media last autumn during the Women’s World Cup after she chose to wear bows in her hair and used her platforms to raise the profile of the sport. "It’s tough because we’re constantly fighting for equality with the men, but we also have to recognize that women’s sport is fundamentally different," Evans explained.
"I love that the World Cup showed we have fans who follow individual players because they relate to them personally. Social media lets us showcase our personalities – it’s the new arena. Women have to be more forward, putting ourselves out there to achieve parity, whereas men don’t rely on social media as heavily.
That’s the big difference, and it makes women’s sport so incredible." Mayer also acknowledges that social media is a double‑edged sword for female boxers. While it offers a platform for self‑promotion, she urges upcoming fighters to develop a unique selling point that distinguishes them from their peers. "I tell the younger girls entering the sport: being a good boxer isn’t enough. You have to look the part, promote yourself, and do the extra work.
There are many talented boxers who haven’t reached the top because the sport often chooses a single ‘face’ to represent it. Talent alone won’t get you there." She encourages athletes to find a gimmick or a distinctive angle that captures fans’ attention.
"Find something that sets you apart, a hook that makes people want to watch you. That’s how you build a following and create opportunities beyond the ring." In summary, Mayer’s journey illustrates the delicate balance female athletes must strike between self‑promotion and protecting their mental health.
By leaning on supportive teams, learning from setbacks, and crafting a personal brand that resonates with audiences, they can navigate the hostile waters of online criticism and continue to push for equality in the sporting world.