Natasha Jonas retains IBF welterweight title after split-decision win over Mikaela Mayer after 10 rounds in Liverpool

Natasha Jonas retained her IBF welterweight world title with a split-decision win over Mikaela Mayer after a keenly contested 10 rounds in Liverpool.

This clash pitted two-weight world champion Jonas with former unified super featherweight champion Mayer, who was competing at welterweight for the first time.

Two judges scored the fight 96-94 and 96-95 in Jonas' favour, while the third called it 97-93 to Mayer, as the American finished strongly.

Jonas started the fight with some good shots to the body and really came into her own in round three, alternating between the head and body, keeping Mayer at bay.

The home favourite was given plenty to ponder though when Mayer landed a beautiful right and Jonas was suddenly on the ropes after a confident start.

Mayer's ability to dig in against a hostile crowd was admirable, and she caught Jonas again with some clinical body shots in round five.

Jonas managed to land with a hook in round six, before both fighters kicked on a gear in round seven to enthral the crowd, and the outcome was becoming increasingly hard to call.

Both fighters went hell for leather in the closing stages, with Jonas battling an injury to her left eye and Mayer looking for a knockout that did not materialise.

Speaking after the fight, Jonas told Sky Sports: "It takes two to tango. I know this girl here is going to be absolutely devastated with that result because I’ve been there and it feels like the world is over.

"She is in my top two people I’ve fought, she’s a very skilled operator, her time will come again. She beats a lot of the champions that are already here.

"So please use that as motivation to go on and get the title that you deserve and become a two-weight world champion."

Mayer believed she deserved the victory, and wanted a rematch, saying: "I think you could see at the end, I thought I did enough to win. I would have given her the first round or two, but after that I feel like I outpunched her and landed the cleaner shots," the American said.

"At the end of the day I think that fight is worth seeing again. I didn't have a rematch clause on my side but I'm hoping we can get this fight done again for the fans, if they want it."

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