Top Rank Boxing – Bob Arum promoted at The Bubble MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, NV, over ESPN Tuesday night. Featured in the Main Event moved up from co-main event Super Featherweight unbeaten 2016 Olympian Mikaela Mayer kept unbeaten defeating Helen “Iron Lady” Joseph. WBO Super Featherweight champion James “Semper Fi” Herring tested positive for the COVID-19 virus which postponed his title defense in the main event.

In the Main Event highly ranked Super featherweight former Olympian Mikaela Mayer, 13-0 (5), #131.6, of Colorado Springs, CO, easily defeated Helen “Iron Lady” Joseph, 17-5-2 (10), #129, of Nigeria and New Haven, CT, over 10 rounds.

In the first round the taller Mayer scored with pin point punches with Joseph coming forward walking into them. In the second round Joseph did better but Mayer caught her with right uppercuts as Joseph came in low. In the third and fourth rounds Mayer was landing 3-punch combinations to the head of Joseph.

In the fifth round Mayer used her longer reach keeping Joseph at the end of her jab for the most part while moving around the ring well. In the sixth round Joseph started landing to the body well. She made it close with the unbeaten Mayer. In the seventh round Mayer kept out punching Joseph who got in some overhand rights to the chin. In the eighth round Mayer scored well with rights on the chin of Joseph.

In the tenth and final round and final ten seconds Mayer rocked Joseph with a right on the chin.

Scores were Patricia Morse Jarman, and Dave Moretti 100-90 with Julie Lederman and this writer 99-91. Referee was Vic Drakulich.

“I knew it was going to my toughest fight but she was too slow. My trainer Al Mitchell will probably say I should have gone to the body more,” said Meyer. When asked what promoter Bob Arum said to her while leaving the ring she said was “the title fight is next, and I’m going to hold him to it!”

Coach Al Mitchell, originally from Philly and Northern Michigan U., who worked with Mikaela Mayer for ten years tested positive two weeks ago so he couldn’t make the trip with his fighter. Helen Joseph also trained by a Philly trainer in Brian Cohen.

Lightweight Ruben “El Tigrillo” Cervera, 12-2 (10), #131.8, of Santa Marta, COL, defeated Clay “Third Degree” Burns, 9-9-2 (4), #133.1, of Ft. Worth, TX, over 6 rounds.

In the first round within seconds former Marine Burns hit the canvas from a left hook on the chin by Cervera for an 8-count by referee Celestino Ruiz. He was up immediately getting through against the heavy hitting Cervera. In the third round halfway through Burns turned southpaw until a lead right on the chin from Cervera turned him back to orthodox. In the fourth round Cervera came out more aggressively using a jab followed by heavy punches with either hand. A right on the chin by Cervera on Burns who was pulling back highlighted the round.

In the fifth round Burns stayed tough inside against Cervera making it a close round. In the sixth and final round Burns knowing he was behind did most of the chasing looking for a knockout against Cervera who did more countering playing it safe in the round. Best round for Burns.

Scores were Lisa Giampi 58-56, Julie Lederman, Dave Moretti and this writer 59-54.

Middleweight Cassius Clay Collard, 8-2-3 (3), #161.7, of Cache Valley, UT, stopped Lorawnt T Nelson, 5-4 (4), #158.8, of RSA and Arvada, CO, at 1:57 of round 2 of a scheduled 6 rounds.

In the first round referee Celestino Ruiz twice warned the aggressive Collard for low blows. Late in the round a right from Collard on the chin of Nelson had the latter hit the bottom rope and bounced up getting an 8-count. Collard was warned for landing a punch after Nelson bounced up off the ropes. In the second round Collard scores a pair of knockdowns first with a right and the second a left both on the chin and was going for the finish when referee Ruiz wisely called a halt.

“Keeping consistent with my coach yelling at me every day,” said Collard. Collard previously defeated three unbeaten opponents before this win.

Super Middleweight southpaw Javier Martinez, 1-0 (0), #162, of Milwaukee, WI, won his debut defeating Ryan “The ” Burrs, 2-2 (0), #161.2, of Frederick, MD, winning all 4 rounds.

In the first round five-time National champion and Olympic Trials champion southpaw Martinez made his debut pressing the action for the most part against Burrs by outworking him in a close round using a right cross. In the second round Martinez who signed with Top Rank was not put in soft having Burrs as his first opponent. Most of the round they were in the middle of the ring with few jabs thrown, but good body and head work from both. A final second right hook from Martinez knocked Burrs back several steps. In the third and fourth rounds both made it interesting with Martinez getting the edge. Referee was Vic Drakulich.

Scores were all 40-36 by DeLuca, Jarman, Ocasio and this writer. The 23 year-old Martinez is with Split-T Boxing, Split-T Management’s Tim Van Newhouse and trained by Jorge Capetillo.