Olympic boxer: Rousey one of the hardest punchers I’ve ever sparred

Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey fights new champion Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 on December 30 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, live on pay per view television. Rousey’s preparations have included sparring with Olympic boxer Mikaela Mayer.

Mayer is 5′ 9″ to Nunes’ 5′ 8″ and fights at 132 to Nunes’ 135. In short, she is a good match. Mayer is the 2016 Olympic Trials champion, a two-time US National Champion, four-time National Golden Glove champion, two-time Continental champion, and World championships Bronze medalist. She knows a lot about punching power.

During a recent appearance on Sirius XM’s Fight Club, Mayer said Ronda is one of the hardest punchers she has ever felt.

“She did it smart,” said Mayer, of Rousey taking many months off following the loss of her title to Holly Holm at UFC 193 on November 15, 2015.

“In my opinion, she felt like she needed more time to recover from the loss. It does take time to recover from a loss, not just physically, but mentally. So I think she was smart in taking the time she needed. And she’s i ready to come back.

“She doesn’t want to do out on a loss. She wants to get her title back. That’s just the type of fighter that she is. She’s in great shape. She still has so much longer to go. … She’s going to do it.”

“Let me tell you. This girl can pack a punch. Even though her background isn’t in boxing, she makes me work. My coaches were wondering, ‘Is she going to be good sparring for you, because I don’t know how technical she is in boxing.’

“But I went back to them and said, ‘This is great sparring for me, because she made me work, she made me pull out all my tools. I had to fight on the inside. I had to throw three or four punches at a time. I couldn’t one punch with her, because she’s coming – she doesn’t stop. She’s not afraid to get tired. She’ll come and she’ll work. So she gave me great work.

“I’ve gotta say something. She can pack a punch. She is probably one of the strongest punchers I have ever sparred.”

SiriusXM Fight Club airs Thursday and Friday at 2-4pm EST on SiriusXM Rush 93.