Sandy Ryan Opens Up About Post-Loss Struggles
Sandy Ryan, a former WBO welterweight champion from Derby, recently opened up about her struggles in the ring following her back-to-back losses to American boxer Mikaela Mayer. The 31-year-old fighter faced a highly disputed defeat last September when she lost her title to Mayer, and things did not improve in their rematch held in March, where Ryan suffered another loss by unanimous decision. Reflecting on these challenging bouts, Ryan revealed that she toyed with the idea of stepping away from boxing entirely due to the emotional toll they took on her.
Emotional Toll and Future Thoughts
In an interview with BBC Radio Derby, Ryan expressed her feelings of devastation following her performances, specifically admitting,
“Mid-fight I fell asleep as in stopped reacting, stopped doing what I normally do.”
She recounted moments in the corner when her brother and coach Kay were concerned, noting,
“I was in my own world. I just can’t explain it. It’s not the best place to be in one of the biggest fights of your career.”
After the rematch, Ryan felt she might be at the end of her boxing journey.
“After the fight, I thought I was done. I was finished boxing,”
she explained. However, a few weeks later, after some reflection at home, her passion for the sport reignited, and she acknowledged,
“I still have so much to give.”
Challenges and Rebuilding
Ryan’s initial clash with Mayer was overshadowed by an incident where an individual reportedly threw paint on her just as she was departing her hotel on fight night. In the first bout, Ryan found certain scorecards to be “questionable,” although she accepted the verdict in the rematch as fair. She admitted that the mental challenges from their first bout lingered, stating,
“I tried to be too relaxed and not be as aggressive or have that fire.”
Ryan has recognized the need to reclaim her intensity, saying,
“I’m giving this another shot so I need to get that fight and anger back in me, balance it out.”
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Ryan is optimistic about returning to the boxing ring, targeting a comeback in August within the UK. Her management team is currently in the process of securing a match-up, with the name of Cris Cyborg being thrown into the mix. The former UFC and PFL champion has made a name for herself in professional boxing with a 5-0 record, her latest victory occurring in May. Ryan commented on the potential of facing Cyborg, noting,
“Her profile is big… It would be great – I’d be happy if they made that fight. She seems very confident, but it’s boxing, she wouldn’t beat me.”
Despite the allure of such a high-profile match, Ryan is pragmatic about her next steps, acknowledging that a tune-up fight is more likely as she rebuilds her career after recent setbacks.
“I know potentially my next fight won’t be a big fight. I am coming off a loss so I have to build myself up,”
she remarked, signaling her readiness to return stronger than before.
