Road to London: U.S. women’s boxing trials

Mikaela Mayer and Queen Underwood react to the decision that Underwood won the women’s lightweight division final, 22-19, on Saturday night at the U.S. Olympic trials in Airway Heights, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

An exhausted Mikaela Mayer returns to her corner after a hard-fought finale against Queen Underwood in the women’s lightweight division championship at the U.S. Olympic boxing trials in Airway Heights, Wash., on Saturday night.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Mikaela Mayer is embraced by trainer Al Mitchell after a 22-19 loss to Queen Underwood (background) in the women’s lightweight division final at the U.S. Olympic boxing trials on Saturday night in Airway Heights, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Mikaela Mayer receives a hug from trainer Al Mitchell after losing in the women’s lightweight division final to Queen Underwood at the U.S. Olympic boxing trials on Saturday night in Airway Heights, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Mikaela Mayer, her nose bloodied, connects with a right hand against N’yteeyah Sherman in the women’s lightweight division losers’ bracket final on Friday night at the U.S. Olympic boxing trials in Airway Heights, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Mikaela Mayer, who countered N’yteeyah Sherman’s strong right hand by circling away, lands a left jab during their women’s lightweight division losers’ bracket final on Friday night at the U.S. Olympic boxing trials in Airway Heights, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Mikaela Mayer celebrates after being declared the winner, 26-25, over N’yteeyah Sherman in the women’s lightweight division losers’ bracket final on Friday night at the U.S. Olympic boxing trials in Airway Heights, Wash. Mayer will get a rematch with unbeaten Queen Underwood in the finals.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Mikaela Mayer and trainer Al Mitchell celebrate after her 26-25 victory over N’yteeyah Sherman on Friday night in the U.S. Olympic women’s boxing trials in Airway Heights, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

A jubilant Mikaela Mayer talks to reporters after defeating N’yteeyah Sherman in the U.S. Olympic trials women’s lightweight division losers’ bracket final on Friday night in Airway Heights, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Mikaela Mayer signs autographs Friday night after her victory over N’yteeyah Sherman in the losers’ bracket final of the women’s lightweight division at the U.S. Olympic boxing trials in Airway Heights, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Mikaela Mayer is all smiles as she makes a call to her aunt to talk about her one-point victory over N’yteeyah Sherman on Friday night in the U.S. Olympic women’s lightweight division losers’ bracket final.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Mikaela Mayer relaxes as trainer Al Mitchell stands for the national anthem before her losers’ bracket final against Tiara Brown on Thursday in Airway Heights, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Mikaela Mayer lands a left hook against Tiara Brown during their losers’ bracket semifinal on Thursday at the U.S. Olympic women’s boxing trials in Airway Heights, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Mikaela Mayer and Tiara Brown trade blows in the middle of the ring during their U.S. Olympic women’s boxing trials bout on Thursday night in Airway Heights, Wash. Mayer would earn a 23-18 deicision to advance to the losers’ bracket final on Friday night.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Mikaela Mayer begins to celebrate while vanquished opponent Tiara Brown reacts to the announcement that Mayer has been awarded a 23-18 victory in their U.S. Olympic women’s boxing losers’ bracket bout on Thursday night in Airway Heights, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Mikaela Mayer fields questions from reporters after her 23-18 victory over Tiara Brown in an elimination bout at the U.S. Olympic women’s boxing trials on Thursday night in Airway Heights, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Mikaela Mayer shares a laugh with fellow Olympic hopeful Franchon Crews prior to her fight against Asia Stevenson at the U.S. Olympic women’s boxing trials in Spokane, Wash., on Wednesday.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Patricia Manuel sits in her corner between rounds at the U.S. Olympic Women’s Boxing Trials in Spokane, Wash., Monday.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Patricia Manuel lays on the hotel bed with an ice pack on her shoulder as trainer Robert Luna checks his messages after losing their bout at the U.S. Olympic Women’s Boxing Trials..  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Mikaela Mayer talks with trainer Al Mitchell before her bout with Queen Underwood in the 132-pound lightweight bout at the U.S. Olympic Women’s Boxing Trials.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Mikaela Mayer, background, and Queen Underwood wait to be introduced before their bout at the U.S. Olympic Women’s Boxing Trials in Spokane, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Mikaela Mayer gets a hug from coaches Al Mitchell and Gloria Peeks after losing to Queen Underwood in the 132-pound lightweight bout at the U.S. Olympic Women’s Boxing Trials.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

As Mikaela Mayer rests her head on her arm in an attempt to relax, Patricia Manuel has her hands taped before their opening bouts on Monday night at the U.S. Olympic women’s boxing trials in Airway Heights, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Patricia Manuel, right, gets ready for her opening bout at the U.S. Olympic women’s boxing trials on Monday night in Airway Heights, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Patricia Manuel loosens up at the back of the gym before her first-round bout at the U.S. Olympic women’s boxing trials on Monday night in Airway Heights, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Mikaela Mayer warms up before her opening bout at the U.S. Olympic women’s boxing trials in Airway Heights, Wash., on Monday night.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Patricia Manuel and trainer Robert Luna, right, watch another bout at the U.S. Olympic women’s boxing trials on Monday night in Airway Heights, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Mikaela Mayer lands a punch to the head of Lisa Porter during their bout Monday night at the U.S. Olympic women’s boxing trials in Airway Heights, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Mikaela Mayer blocks a punch by Lisa Porter during their opening bout at the U.S. Olympic women’s boxing trials on Monday night at Airway Heights, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Mikaela Mayer is declared the winner of her opening bout against Lisa Porter at the U.S. Olympic women’s boxing trials on Monday night in Airway Heights, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Patricia Manuel lands a right to the chin of Tiara Brown as they trade punches during their opening bout on Monday night at the U.S. Olympic women’s boxing trials in Airway Heights, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Patricia Manuel lands a left against Tiara Brown while absorbing a punch during their bout on Monday night at the U.S. Olympic women’s boxing trials on Monday night in Airway Heights, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Trainer Robert Luna talks to Patricia Manuel after she injured her shoulder during a loss to Tiara Brown in the opening round of bout on Monday night at the U.S. Olympic women’s boxing trials in Airway Heights, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Patricia Manuel falls to the floor after injuring her shoulder during a loss to Tiara Brown in her first bout at the U.S. Olympic women’s boxing trials on Monday night in Airway Heights, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Patricia Manuel has a moment of solitude after losing her opening bout and further injuring her shoulder on Monday night at the U.S. Olympic women’s boxing trials in Airway Heights, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Loretta Butler hugs daughter Patricia Manuel after she lost her opening fight at the U.S. Olympic women’s boxing trials on Monday night in Airway Heights, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Loretta Butler consoles her daughter, boxer Patricia Manuel, after she lost her opening bout and injured her shoulder at the U.S. Olympic boxing trials on Monday night in Airway Heights, Wash.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)