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Natasha Jonas vs Mikaela Mayer betting tips: Jonas backed for KO
Find out why our boxing expert tips Natasha Jonas to knock out Mikaela Mayer in Saturday’s IBF welterweight world title fight in Liverpool
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Natasha Jonas is back in action for the first time since becoming a two-weight world champion on Saturday, when she faces a high-quality showdown against American superstar Mikaela Mayer in Liverpool.
Natasha Jonas vs Mikaela Mayer betting tips
- Natasha Jonas to win by KO, TKO or DQ @ 23/2 with BetMGM
- Natasha Jonas to win in rounds 9-10 @ 28/1 with BETMGM
Odds are correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
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Jonas looking to cement legacy
Natasha Jonas claimed the IBF welterweight title with an eighth-round stoppage of Kandi Wyatt in her last bout back in July, having previously held titles at super-welterweight. She now defends her welterweight belt for the first time with a hometown fight at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool.
Jonas could have been forgiven for lining up an easier opponent for her first defence, but instead she is facing one of the toughest tests of her career in her 18th fight.
Mikaela Mayer is one of the pound-for-pound greats of women’s boxing and boasts a 19-1 record, the solitary loss coming on a split decision against slick operator Alycia Baumgardner last year.
Jonas has two defeats on her record, a stoppage at the hands of Viviane Obenauf early on in her career and a unanimous decision defeat against Katie Taylor back in 2021.
The 39-year-old southpaw has won five fights in convincing fashion since losing to the Irish superstar, but Mayer is a level above those opponents and a win this weekend for Jonas would be the biggest of her career.
This does look like an incredibly close match-up and is essentially a 50-50 fight. Jonas is the slight favourite at 10/13 and Mayer is perhaps a backable underdog at 27/25, but the Briton has a few advantages that may swing this clash in her favour and the big price on a stoppage for Jonas looks a good value play here.
This contest has the potential to be an absolute classic due to the contrasting styles of these two fighters. Mayer likes to fight on the front foot and is constantly pushing forward, while Jonas is a southpaw counterpuncher who boasts plenty of power.
Mayer has previously held titles at super-featherweight and an interim lightweight title so she is making the step up and it remains to be seen how well she will handle the extra weight.
Jonas also has the significant advantage of being the ‘home fighter’ and she has not lost in six fights in Liverpool, winning four of those inside the distance. Mayer has never been stopped before, but she probably hasn’t faced anyone as powerful as Jonas previously either.
With nine stoppages in her 14 wins, Jonas could potentially secure another early finish here if she gets her game plan right. Mayer will push forward and that should provide Jonas with enough opportunities on the counter.
If she can reproduce the kind of aggressive display she showed against Wyatt in the later rounds, she has a chance to become the first fighter to stop Mayer – so the big price on Jonas to win by KO, TKO or DQ looks worth the risk with a small stake here.
Tip: Natasha Jonas to win by KO, TKO or DQ @ 23/2 with BetMGM
Late stoppage on cards for Jonas?
Mayer shouldn’t be underestimated and if she had won at welterweight before and this was taking place at a neutral venue, the American would probably be the favourite.
The 33-year-old has a 5-1 record in world title fights and has excellent movement, so if Jonas is to claim a stoppage win it seems more likely that it will happen in the later rounds.
Both fighters have great engines and do their best work in the ‘championship rounds,’ so we could be in for an explosive finish and the 28/1 on offer for Jonas to win in the last two rounds stands out.
Jonas has proved time and time again she can maintain her intensity into the final rounds and if Mayer feels she is behind on the scorecards going into the latter stages she is likely to take a few risks, which could open the door for Jonas to record a stoppage.
Tip: Natasha Jonas to win in rounds 9-10 @ 28/1 with BETMGM
Natasha Jonas vs Mikaela Mayer odds
Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.