Natasha Jonas has Anfield dream in her sights after Mikaela Mayer win as Jessica McCaskill hint dropped

Natasha Jonas has set her sights on a huge Anfield showdown after retaining her IBF welterweight title with a close split-decision win over Mikaela Mayer.

Jonas and former super-featherweight world champion Mayer delivered an instant classic in an action-packed bout at the M&S Bank Arena on Saturday night. Speaking in the build-up, both fighters promised that a respectful build-up would be forgotten when the first bell sounded, and the two did not disappoint in a terrific back-and-forth, all-action encounter.

But before the action got underway, Jane Couch, the trailblazer for women's boxing in the UK and now a Hall of Fame inductee, fittingly processed Jonas' title belt to the ring. Then, minutes later, there were boos for the American national anthem and then God Save the King.

Jonas started strongly in the first defence of the world title she won by defeating Kandi Wyatt last July, but Mayer steadily grew into the bout and was the busier of the two in several riveting exchanges. The away fighter then dictated the pace during the middle rounds, but Jonas was landing counters and uncorked an explosive left hook during round number four. 'Miss GB' then opened up with a tremendous attack to start the fifth.

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Rounds six, seven and eight were incredibly tight, with both fighters landing big shots before a huge left from Mayer opened up a cut above Jonas' left eye in the ninth. And right up until the final bell, both fighters continued to land big shots.

In the end, a split decision went to Jonas. One judge scored it widely to Mayer, 97-93, but the other two