Natasha Jonas v Mikaela Mayer: Briton retains welterweight world title by split decision

In the build-up Mayer’s coach compared the match-up to the classic 1985 contest between Marvin Hagler and Tommy Hearns.

While going even remotely close to matching the all-time notorious Hagler-Hearns bout would take some doing, Jonas and Mayer certainly served up their own memorable evening of boxing.

The Arena was far from full capacity but Jonas received an ear-splitting reception from her Liverpool faithful as she made her ring walk. Former world champion Callum Smith – just a week on from a devastating loss in Canada – was among the city’s boxing stars in attendance.

Jonas began sharply, landing a left hook to the stomach and a slick counter right in the opening round. “She’s too slow, Natasha,” her trainer Joe Gallagher bellowed after just a minute of action.

Mayer came out with more urgency in the second as both women traded punches. The away fighter was dictating the pace but Jonas was landing counters.

Fighting in the United Kingdom for the fourth consecutive bout, Mayer grew in confidence and began to have more success, trapping Jonas in the corner in the final seconds of the fifth and connecting with two powerful shots to the body.

“You’re being submissive on the ropes,” a slightly concerned Gallagher, having changed his tune, told his fighter.

As Jonas crouched, Mayer landed a thudding right hand in the seventh. Jonas replied with a flush straight left.

The usually more calculated Mayer was boxing aggressively, keeping to her pre-fight promise of it being an all-out war.

A huge left from Mayer opened up a cut above Jonas’ left eye in the ninth. She valiantly fought back but sported a deflated look as she walked back to her stool.

There was little to separate the two as the fight entered the 10th. With her home fans chanting her name, Jonas gave it everything up until the final seconds.