Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 11, 2026

Sandy Ryan

Sandy Ryan is an English professional boxer who is a two-weight world champion. She held the WBC female light-welterweight title in 2026 and was WBO female welterweight title holder from April 2023 until September 2024.

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Sandy Ryan
Personal information
Born (1993-09-16) 16 September 1993
Derby, England
Height5 ft 8+1⁄2 in (174 cm)
Weight
Boxing career
Reach67+1⁄2 in (171 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights13
Wins9
Win by KO3
Losses3
Draws1
Medal record
Women's Amateur boxing
Representing  Great Britain
European Games
Bronze medal – third place 2015 Baku Light welterweight
Representing  England
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 2014 Jeju City Light welterweight
European Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2016 Sofia Lightweight
Commonwealth Games
Gold medal – first place 2018 Gold Coast Welterweight

Sandy Ryan (born 16 September 1993) is an English professional boxer who is a two-weight world champion. She held the WBC female light-welterweight title in 2026 and was WBO female welterweight title holder from April 2023 until September 2024.

Amateur career

On her senior championship debut in 2014, she won a World Championship silver medal.1

Representing England, Ryan won a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia beating Rosie Eccles from Wales by split decision (3:2) in the welterweight final.2

In 2019 Ryan was selected to compete at the World Championships in Ulan-Ude, Russia,3 where she lost by split decision (4:1) to Christina Desmond in the round of 32.4

Professional career

In 2021 it was confirmed that Ryan has agreed terms to turn professional with Matchroom Sport.5 She made her pro-debut on 31 July 2021 defeating Kirstie Bavington on points in a six-round contest held at Matchroom HQ Garden in Brentwood, England.6

Ryan vs Pier Houle

On April 22, 2023 at Cardiff International Arena in Cardiff, Wales, Ryan defeated Marie Pier Houle by unanimous decision and earned the vacant WBO welterweight title.78

Ryan vs McCaskill

On September 23, 2023 at Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida, Ryan faced Jessica McCaskill in the welterweight championship unification.9 The fight ended in a split draw.10

Ryan vs Harper

On 23 March 2024 in Sheffield, England, Ryan defeated Terri Harper via fourth-round retirement and retained her WBO welterweight title.11

Ryan vs Mayer

Ryan was scheduled to defend her WBO welterweight title against Mikaela Mayer in New York on 27 September 2024.12 She lost the fight by majority decision.13 On the day of the fight, while leaving to the event, she was hit by a tin of paint at her hotel.14 Two days after the fight Ryan demanded an immediate rematch in light of the paint incident and alleged threats against her and her support team.15

Ryan vs. Mayer 2

Ryan faced Mikaela Mayer in a rematch for the WBO welterweight title at Fontainebleau in Las Vegas on 29 March 2025. She lost by unanimous decision.161718

Ryan vs. Grierson

Ryan got back to winning ways in her next fight, defeating the previously unbeaten Jade Grierson by unanimous decision at Rainton Meadows Arena in Houghton-le-Spring on 6 September 2025.19

Ryan vs. Zamora

Ryan became a two-weight world champion when she defeated Karla Ramos Zamora via majority decision to win the vacant WBC female light-welterweight title at Nottingham Arena on 21 February 2026. The judges' scorecards were 97–93, 97–93 and 95–95.2021

Ryan vacated the title in June 2026 without making any defences after announcing she was pregnant with the WBC designating her champion in recess.22

Professional boxing record

13 fights 9 wins 3 losses
By knockout 3 0
By decision 6 3
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
13 Win 9–3–1 Karla Ramos Zamora MD 10 21 Feb 2026 Nottingham Arena, Nottingham, England Won vacant WBC light-welterweight title
12 Win 8–3–1 Jade Grierson UD 10 6 Sep 2025 Rainton Meadows Arena, Houghton-le-Spring, England
11 Loss 7–3–1 Mikaela Mayer UD 10 29 Mar 2025 Fontainebleau, Las Vegas, Nevada, US For the WBO female welterweight title
10 Loss 7–2–1 Mikaela Mayer MD 10 27 Sep 2024 The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US Lost WBO welterweight title
9 Win 7–1–1 Terri Harper RTD 4 (10), 2:00 23 Mar 2024 Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, England Retained WBO welterweight title
8 Draw 6–1–1 Jessica McCaskill SD 10 23 Sep 2023 Caribe Royale Orlando, Orlando, Florida, U.S. Retained WBO welterweight title;
For WBA, WBC, IBO and The Ring welterweight titles
7 Win 6–1 Marie Pier Houle UD 10 22 Apr 2023 Cardiff International Arena Cardiff, Wales Won vacant WBO welterweight title
6 Win 5–1 Anahí Ester Sánchez UD 10 26 Nov 2022 Wembley Arena, Wembley, England Retained WBC International light-welterweight title
5 Win 4–1 Erica Farias UD 10 6 Aug 2022 Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, England Won vacant WBC International light-welterweight title
4 Loss 3–1 Erica Farias SD 10 12 Mar 2022 Nottingham Arena, Nottingham, England
3 Win 3–0 Maria Capriolo TKO 3 (8), 1:11 18 Dec 2021 Manchester Arena, Manchester, England
2 Win 2–0 Aleksandra Vujovic KO 4 (6) 1 Oct 2021 Allianz Cloud, Milan, Italy
1 Win 1–0 Kirstie Bavington PTS 6 31 Jul 2021 Matchroom HQ Garden, Brentwood, England

Honours

She was awarded the Freedom of the City of Derby on 25 March 2024.232425

See also

See also

References

References

  1. "AIBA World finals: Sandy Ryan and Lisa Whiteside claim silver medals". BBC Sport. BBC. 24 November 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  2. "Derby boxer Sandy Ryan wins Commonwealth Games gold". Derby Telegraph. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  3. "Seven GB women named for 2019 World Championships in Russia". World Boxing News. 24 September 2019. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
  4. "Seven women from GB Boxing squad set for action at 2019 World Championships in Russia". GB Boxing. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
  5. MATCHROOM'S LATEST SIGNING! - GB STAR SANDY RYAN AGREES TERMS TO TURN PROFESSIONAL WITH EDDIE HEARN, retrieved 16 May 2021
  6. "Sandy Ryan scores first professional victory in Essex". worldboxingnews.com. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  7. Donovan, Jake (22 April 2023). "Sandy Ryan Outclasses Marie Pier Houle, Wins Vacant WBO Welterweight Title". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  8. Pearlman, Michael (22 April 2023). "Ryan wins WBO welterweight world title". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  9. Iskenderov, Parviz (18 September 2023). "Sandy Ryan: I can be a massive name in the women's pro scene". FIGHTMAG.
  10. Donovan, Jake (23 September 2023). "Sandy Ryan vs. Jessica McCaskill Ends in Questionable Split Draw". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  11. Iskenderov, Parviz (24 March 2024). "Sandy Ryan eliminates Terri Harper in four rounds to retain title". FIGHTMAG.
  12. Iskenderov, Parviz (5 August 2024). "Mikaela Mayer challenges Sandy Ryan at MSG in New York in September". FIGHTMAG.
  13. Christ, Scott (28 September 2024). "Mikaela Mayer wins WBO title from Sandy Ryan after paint attack controversy". Bad Left Hook.
  14. Iskenderov, Parviz (28 September 2024). "Video: Sandy Ryan hit with tin of paint ahead of Mikaela Mayer fight in New York". FIGHTMAG.
  15. "Ryan wants immediate Mayer rematch after paint attack". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  16. "Mikaela Mayer again tops Sandy Ryan, retains welterweight title". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  17. "Mayer retains title with points win over Briton Ryan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  18. "Mikaela Mayer defeats Sandy Ryan by unanimous decision". ESPN. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  19. "Sandy Ryan returns with a 10-round points win over Jade Grierson". Boxing News Online. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  20. "Briton Ryan becomes two-weight world champion". BBC Sport.
  21. "Sandy Ryan edges Karla Ramos Zamora for vacant WBC 140lb strap". boxingscene.com.
  22. "WBC suggest that Katie Taylor's next fight will come against Flora Pili". boxingscene.com.
  23. "Councillors back plans to award boxer Sandy Ryan freedom of Derby". BBC News. 26 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  24. Slater, Nigel (23 November 2023). "Boxer Sandy Ryan becomes first woman to receive the Freedom of Derby". The Derby Telegraph. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  25. "Sandy Ryan receives Freedom of the City". Derby City Council. 25 March 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
External links