ao link
Max Boxing
YouTube
Facebook
Twitter
Snapchat
Insta
Search

Crystina Poncher and Mikaela Mayer will pack a punch in Oklahoma on August 14

While bringing in a fighter to help do the play-by-play isn’t anything new in boxing, this will be boxing’s first-ever all-female broadcast team.

Share on WhatsappTwitterFacebook
CP MM
CP MM

On Saturday, August 14, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Crystina Poncher, long the voice from ringside for Top Rank Boxing, will welcome a new partner to help her call the shots that night in former 2016 Olympian, and reigning WBO junior lightweight world champion Mikaela Mayer (15-0, 5 KO’s).

 

While bringing in a fighter to help do the play-by-play isn’t anything new in boxing, this will be boxing’s first-ever all-female broadcast team.

The duo will have Poncher in her regular play-by-play slot with Mayer supporting in the color commentary role. They will be covering much of a stacked card featuring the third fight between WBA super flyweight world champion Joshua Franco and former world champion Andrew Moloney, red-hot junior welterweight prospect Arnold Barboza Jr. against Antonio Moran, and the professional debut of middleweight Nico Ali Walsh. Yes, that is the same Ali family; Nico is the grandson of late, world-renowned legend Muhammad Ali.

 

While the safe side of the ropes will be somewhat new territory for the always smiling and personable Mayer, ringside is familiar ground for Poncher, an outstanding analyst and commentator. California native Poncher, came on board with Top Rank over a decade ago as a reporter and eventually moved into a color commentary slot. A couple of years ago she became only the second woman to do play-by-play by duties on a boxing broadcast and then six months later she was moved into a full-time play-by-play commentator role for Top Rank undercard broadcasts on ESPN+ and main card international broadcasts. Poncher, a married mother of 2 young children, is currently boxing’s only female play-by-play commentator but this is no novelty gesture, she has earned her spot and is considered one of boxing’s best.

 

When Top Rank Boxing released the news of the all-female broadcast presentation, both Poncher and Mayer seemed very excited to be part of the historic event.

 

“I’m excited to be a part of this historic night of boxing," said Poncher. “I always strive to break through barriers and be a leader for women in boxing, particularly when it comes to broadcasting," she said.

 

While Poncher is no stranger to guests joining her ringside, she is genuinely excited to work with Mayer, a fighter she knows very well having covered her entire professional career.

 

“It’s been an honor calling fights alongside many talented trainers and fighters, including Brian McIntyre, Chris Algieri and Manny Robles. And now, with world champion Mikaela Mayer joining me at the broadcast table, it’s an important moment not only in my career but for boxing in general," she said.

 

For Mayer, this will be the second time she has gotten behind the microphone as the undefeated Los Angeles native was a guest analyst for a Top Rank show back in May. Away from the mic, WBO world junior lightweight champion Mayer has one title defence under her belt and is currently looking at a unification bout against the division’s IBF world champion Maïva Hamadouche.

 

Added the undefeated Mayer, “I’m beyond honored to be sitting alongside Crystina Poncher as the first female broadcast team in boxing history. We’ve both worked extremely hard to raise the profile of women in our sport, and this is proof that our hard work has not gone unnoticed. I would like to thank Top Rank and ESPN for supporting the growth of women in boxing,"she said.

 

And, while it’s always good to keep the boss happy, clearly this isn’t something these two need to worry about.

 

"Crystina Poncher is one of the very best broadcasters in boxing," said Top Rank Chairman, and Hall of Fame legend, Bob Arum. "Mikaela is a natural behind the microphone and boxing fans around the world are in for a real treat on August 14," he said.

 

Share on WhatsappTwitterFacebook

SecondsOut Weekly Newsletter

YouTube
Facebook
Twitter
Snapchat
Insta
© 2000 - 2018 Knockout Entertainment Ltd & MaxBoxing.com
(function (document, window) { var c = document.createElement("script"); c.type = "text/javascript"; c.async = !0; c.id = "CleverNTLoader49067"; c.setAttribute("data-target",window.name); c.setAttribute("data-callback","put-your-callback-macro-here"); c.src = "//clevernt.com/scripts/565df2e089764bf79d00a9d4c6731a71.min.js?20210312=" + Math.floor((new Date).getTime()); var a = !1; try { a = parent.document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0] || document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; } catch (e) { a = !1; } a || ( a = document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0] || document.getElementsByTagName("body")[0]); a.parentNode.insertBefore(c, a); })(document, window);