Sandy Ryan vs Mikaela Mayer: Derby fighter denies stealing from challenger’s head trainer

The bitter feud between WBO welterweight champion Sandy Ryan and Mikaela Mayer, who fight on Thursday at New York’s Madison Square Garden Theater, revolves around a disagreement over a trainer.

It started when 31-year-old British Ryan moved to Mayer’s gym in the United States, prompting the challenger – who was planning to move up to welterweight – to change her training team.

Mayer, 34, described Ryan’s move as “shady”, but the Derby fighter denies stealing the Californian’s head coach.

“Since I’ve been here she’s been angry with me for training here,” Ryan told BBC Radio Derby.

Ryan says Kay Koroma is not her head coach and that Flick Savoy, Koroma’s assistant, will lead her team.

Mayer picked up her phone during Friday’s heated press conference and read out a message in which Ryan apologized for not speaking to her before signing up for the gym.

“Don’t try to back down now, just be honest. Just admit it,” Mayer told Ryan.

The two have known each other since their amateur days, but according to Ryan there is now a “genuine dislike”.

“The way she talks, she’s a grown woman. The way she talks and carries herself, I think it’s just trash,” added Ryan, who will take to the ring at 02:00 BST on Friday.