Mikaela Mayer looks to add her name to Top Rank's list of champions this Saturday night

She won’t remember, but I do. I remember it like it was yesterday.

In August of 2017, I walked into the Corner Bakery in downtown Los Angeles for some breakfast. Sitting there was (then) relatively unknown Mikaela Mayer who was also enjoying breakfast with a friend. I said to her,

"Don’t you have to make weight later today."? She smiled and said, "I’m OK, I’ll be alright."

I wished her well and left to eat. She seemed mildly amused that I recognized her, but over the next 3 years, among fight fans, that would certainly change. The next night Mayer would go on to make her pro debut down the street at the Microsoft Theater in what would be the start of an impressive career and one of, what is now, 13 straight victories including 5 KOs.

After a very strong, 87-fight, amateur career, that saw Mayer represent the United States at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Mayer decided it was time to turn pro. Next, she sat down to convince Top Rank Boxing that she could indeed be a breakthrough fighter in women’s boxing and that she had the goods to win a world title; they liked what they saw, and heard, and signed on.

On Saturday night, in ‘The Bubble’ at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Mayer will get the chance to show her employers at Top Rank, and the rest of the boxing world, that she is indeed a world champion and one of the most exciting young fighters in female boxing.

Mayer won’t have an easy task in facing Poland’s, also undefeated, Ewa Brodnicka, (19-0, 2 KO’s). While Mayer has impressed in each of her 13 bouts, she will be facing a fighter who will be making the 6th defense of the WBO world super featherweight title that she won in the spring of 2017.

Going into her 20th bout, this will be Brodnicka’s first fight outside of Europe. And, while Mayer is not taking Brodnicka lightly, she is politely confident that she is indeed the better fighter and will leave the ring a world champion. In a recent social post, Mayer said, with a slightly sly smile, that she was, "So happy that Brodnicka was bringing her title all the way over to the United States."

I have often said that Mayer is one of the funniest people you will ever meet. This fits in well with her quick laugh and constant smile. But come fight night, as 13 other opponents have realized, it doesn’t match up to her in-ring personality – a ferocious, attack to the head and body under non-stop pressure. When the bell goes, that is what you get. Under the direction of long-time coaches Al Mitchell and Kay Koroma, Mayer has developed an exceptional foundation of fundamentals, mixing up a strong set of body and head shots, that serve her well in the ring.

Mayer, Woodland Hills, California-born, but now residing in Colorado, has been planning for her world title since the day she decided she was going to be a fighter over a decade a go. I remember speaking to her last year before she was set to pick up win # 10 in chilly Minnesota. She was focused and dialed in for the fight on hand but she always had the bigger picture in mind.

"I just have to stay focused, listen to my coaches and when the call comes for a title shot, I’ll be ready," she said.

Well, that call has come and it is indeed title time.

In a recent interview, Mayer made it clear that she indeed intends to leave Vegas a champion on Saturday night.

"I’m more than prepared for this WBO world championship fight, and I will absolutely be going home with the belt. This fight will not go the distance. Ewa Brodnicka is not on my level, and her time is up. Tune in and watch me bring the championship belt to ESPN and Top Rank," she said.

Top Rank Boxing is the biggest promotional company in the world, with a who’s who list of champions, past and present, on their Hall of Fame roster - on Saturday night, look for Mayer to add her name to that list.