Model turned boxer one victory away from an Olympic medal

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RIO DE JANEIRO — Nearly a decade ago, Mikaela Mayer made a fairly remarkable transformation in her life. She was an aspiring model who loved to party and be in the middle of the action.

For reasons that she’s still can’t pinpoint, she decided to try boxing. And after defeating American born Jennifer Chieng of Micronesia on Friday in her Olympic debut, Mayer stands one victory away from winning at least a bronze medal.

She’s made a remarkable turnaround in her life, and the skill she showed in taking apart Chieng is testament to the commitment she’s made to her sport.

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“I did start boxing kind of late,” said Mayer, who at 26 is the oldest boxer on the U.S. team. “But boxing is a little different than most sports. You can’t start gymnastics at 17 years old. They’re retired by then. But boxing is a little different, and it’s proof that it’s never too late to try something new.

“I poured everything I had into this, immediately from day one. I said I’m not going to half-ass this. I’m going to put everything I have into this and see where it takes me. This is where it took me and it’s just more proof that it’s never too late.”

Mayer won Friday by scores of 40-35 twice and 39-37, putting her into the quarterfinals of the women’s lightweight division, where she will meet third-seeded Anastasia Belyakova of Russia. The winner of that bout is guaranteed at least a bronze medal.

As she prepared to walk out to face Chieng, Mayer took a moment to reflect on her journey, realizing she was about to walk onto the world’s biggest stage.

“Right before I walked out from those curtains, I was like, ‘You’re about to compete in the Olympic Games. This is something you’ve been dreaming and working toward for the last 10 years of your life,’ ” she said. “I wanted to enjoy it.”

She fought expertly, using a massive height and reach advantage to pepper Chieng with shots. Chieng, who was born in Maryland and lives in Brooklyn, was able to compete for Micronesia because her father was born there.

Chieng came out hard and caught Mayer with a couple of right hands early. She was aggressive throughout, willing to mix it up despite the size disadvantage. Her spirit and tenacity earned her the support of the Brazilian crowd, which has been vehemently against the American boxers throughout the tournament. Unaware that Chieng, too, is American, they began chanting her name and urging her to rally against Mayer.

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“It was incredible and I loved the energy of the crowd,” Chieng said. “It’s exciting to be here.”

Mayer would have none of that, though, and Chieng simply didn’t have the size or power to compete with someone with Mayer’s skill set.

Mayer showed the full offensive arsenal, including a sharp jab, a straight, accurate right hand and a nice series of shots to the body. Like many on the American men’s team, she made a visible commitment to attack the body.

It paid off as Chieng slowed as the fight wore on and Mayer was able to drop the right on her more regularly. Chieng fought hard throughout and never gave up, reminding Mayer that it’s rarely a smart idea to drop one’s hands.

“I knew I was up and I think I might have gotten little careless and left that left hand a little bit low,” Mayer said.

That’s a mistake that could be critical against the cream of the field. The top of the division in particular is loaded, and includes No. 1 seed Katie Taylor of Ireland, the reigning gold medalist.

U.S. coach Billy Walsh, who coached Taylor to that gold in London four years ago, was glad Mayer opened with an opponent she was favored to beat.

It allowed her to experience the Olympics and get a feel for what it takes without being at undue risk of being bounced early.

“It was a big occasion for her,” Walsh said. “She doesn’t have much international experience either. It was great to fight this girl in the first fight and for [Mayer to be able] to go out and enjoy it.”

She looked as good as any American has in the tournament so far, a clear sign she wasn’t overwhelmed. If there was anything to nitpick about, it’s that she got hit more than would be advisable.

Chieng, for one, was impressed.

“She’s a good fighter, a good opponent,” Chieng said. “She’ll do well.”