The world’s top three junior lightweights are all in action over the next week or so, but before the first bell sounds, it’s worth having a recap of the last year.
In October 2020, America’s Mikaela Mayer outpointed Poland’s Ewa Brodnicka to claim the WBO strap. The following month Terri Harper knocked out Katharina Thanderz, moving her to #2 and #1 in our ratings and The Ring’s, respectively. A few weeks later Maiva Hamadouche stopped the inexperienced 6-3-1, Nina Pavlovic, in 8 rounds. Since then, to this point in 2021, Hamadouche has not had a professional fight (her pro. career has slowed, while instead, she has been competing in amateur bouts). Harper has been recovering from a broken hand sustained in the Thanderz bout, and Mayer has fought just once – a points win over Erica Farias, who was coming in off two back-to-back losses to Jessica McCaskill and hadn’t fought at 130lbs for over a decade. Mayer’s points win kept her at #3 in our ratings, but elevated her above Harper to #1 in The Ring’s. Our panellist, Ireneusz Fryszkowski, who has specialist knowledge of Poland’s boxing scene, gave his thoughts:
“I strongly disagree with their (The Ring’s ratings). Mayer defeated the weakest champion at 130lbs, an overrated Brodincka and Farias, who had lost her last two fights.”
It can be argued that there is little separating these top three women. Lineal Boxing Champion has Hamadouche at #1, The Ring has Mayer at #1, but it is #2 ranked Harper who has been the busiest of the trio over the last three years, and last time out with her dominant KO of the rugged Thanderz, the Englishwoman seemed to have raised her skills to a new level. Fortunately, all three combatants are back in action this month. On Friday Mayer takes on Hamadouche in Las Vegas, and then, next weekend Harper is scheduled to fight Alycia Baumgardner in Sheffield, England. Incidentally, South Korean Hyun Choi may superficially at least, have a glistening 19-0-1 record, but her level of competition has not been on a par with her leading rivals - nine of Choi’s last 11 opponents entered their bouts with her on the back of at least one loss/draw. A Choi/Harper fight has so far failed to materialise, but regardless, no analysts (none from our Ratings Panel) were calling for her to be ranked above the big three anyway.
Can it really be claimed that the Mayer/Hamadouche winner is the true champion when Harper is fighting the following week? Our Ratings Panel voted against it. The Ring however, will award their belt to the victor, but not all their panellists were in favour of this decision – in June, Michael Montero had this to say:
“I don’t see it as a Ring title fight. After (Mayer) beats Hamadouche by decision, I want to see Mayer face Harper. That’s the best fight that can be made in the division.”
And Harper is not fighting a “Pavlovic-type” tune-up opponent – no, Baumgardner is a hungry prospect who can bang, and has only lost once before, on points to two-weight titlist, Christina Linardatou. It would be an upset if the American defeated “Belter,” but not a complete shock. The Mayer/Hamadouche victor will have her eyes firmly fixed on the Sheffield clash and will be fully aware that to be the genuine queen of the division she has one more fight to win.
This scenario is significantly different to the situation at 140lbs. Chantelle Cameron and Mary McGee’s recent first-rate knockout wins, alongside rival Kali Reis’ underwhelming last two performances, meant Cameron Vs McGee was a solid “#1 vs #2” match-up for the vacant Lineal Championship – there was far less to debate. It was tricky to make any case for ranking Reis above McGee, let alone placing her at #1.
Ten pounds down, things are immensely competitive. There is no definite top two, and not even a clear #1. Harper is back from injury and in against a dangerous live opponent, and Mayer is pitting her smooth boxing skills against the relentless French destroyer, Hamadouche. The winners of these fights must meet to truly fill the championship throne at 130lbs.
Adam McMeeking