Mikaela Mayer paused for a moment, then a wry smile crept across her face as she realized who had just asked her a question. "Ohhh Alycia," she replied, not to a journalist named Alycia but to a familiar adversary – former undisputed champion Alycia Baumgardner, who had secured a front‑row seat at Thursday’s press conference in Birmingham ahead of Mayer’s highly anticipated world‑title showdown with Chantelle Cameron. Baumgardner had been on the microphone only minutes earlier, after the announcement of her own November 8 bout against Elif Nur Turhan.
Her inquiry was pointed: she wanted to know what Mayer’s mindset was, how she had grown since their last encounter, and why the upcoming Saturday fight would be different – presumably different from the fight they had shared. Mayer answered confidently: "I’m getting better and better. I’ve learned not to repeat the mistakes I made against you.
When I step into the ring I’ll start fast, I’ll take the initiative and I won’t leave anything to the judges, because you can’t always count on them." The exchange was captured on video, though the platform recommends using Chrome for the best viewing experience. Mayer’s composure in the face of an unwelcome reunion was notable.
She suffered a split‑decision loss to Baumgardner in their October 2022 unification bout at The O2, a fight Mayer has previously maintained she actually won. That controversial decision still lingers in the background, adding extra spice to any conversation between the two athletes. Looking ahead to 2026, boxing fans are already speculating about when the next marquee fights will take place.
Meanwhile, platforms like NOW are offering contract‑free streaming options for the sport, and the Toe2Toe podcast continues to deliver weekly analysis of the biggest moments in the ring. However, the current narrative is not solely about the Mayer‑Baumgardner rivalry. Baumgardner appears to be charting a course toward a possible clash with rising star Caroline Dubois, should both women win their respective upcoming bouts. On Saturday, the spotlight will instead be on the clash between Mayer and Cameron – two elite technicians at the peak of their careers, each chasing a piece of boxing history.
"I’m at a stage in my career where these are the fights I truly want," Mayer said. "Our careers have had many highs and a few lows, but we’ve always strived to fight at our best. We’ve both fought our way back to the top." Women’s boxing currently lacks many match‑ups that can match the intrigue of this one, and pundits are already predicting that the victor could secure a place among the sport’s all‑time greats.
"Let’s go get fight of the year," declared Cameron, who boasts the distinction of being the only boxer to have defeated Katie Taylor in Taylor’s professional career – a fact that adds an extra layer of narrative weight to Saturday’s contest. Cameron enters the ring as the WBO super‑welterweight champion, while Mayer holds the WBA and WBC titles. Both women have overcome setbacks to reclaim their positions at the summit of the sport.
Cameron was denied a rematch against Taylor, while Mayer feels she has been on the wrong side of unjust decisions in her fights against both Baumgardner and Natasha Jonas. "I’ve had my ups and downs, but I’m in a great place right now. I think I’m in the best shape of my life," Cameron affirmed. "Mikaela is an excellent fighter, I’m a fan of hers.
I watch her and enjoy her style, which is why I wanted this fight – I want to face the best," Cameron added. "Styles make fights, and while Mikaela’s style differs from Katie Taylor’s, I think our styles will create a spectacular bout." Mayer, for her part, insisted that Cameron’s preparation would be insufficient against the new arsenal she has been developing.
She believes her versatility will be the decisive factor on Saturday. "I can do more. Look at her style – it’s very straightforward. I have a more diverse skill set," Mayer explained.
"If I need to adjust my game plan, I have the tools in my pocket. In big fights you sometimes have to adapt, and I have what it takes to do that." Saturday’s card will also feature a headline bout for Caroline Dubois, who will defend her WBC and WBO lightweight titles against America’s Amelia Moore. Dubois, a London‑born fighter, spoke about her ambitions and the possibility of a future mega‑fight with Baumgardner, though she emphasized that she never underestimates any opponent, including Moore. "I’m 100 percent confident.
I’ve come a long way, I’ve changed my team, moved to LA, dedicated myself and I’m excited," Dubois said. "It’s an opportunity to show the world why I’m the best in the 135‑lb division. I don’t like people who say they overlook opponents.
I set big goals – becoming undisputed champion is my ultimate aim. My mind, heart, and soul are fixed on that, and nothing will stop me." "Respect means training as hard as possible.
I’ve trained like a beast and left no stone unturned. There’s no way I’ve looked past her," she added, reinforcing her commitment to thorough preparation.
Fans can catch the Mayer‑Cameron showdown live on Sky Sports, with Dubois’s lightweight title defense also on the same broadcast. For those without a Sky Sports subscription, the fight can be streamed via platforms that offer contract‑free boxing access, ensuring that the excitement reaches a global audience.