Alycia Baumgardner Defeats Bo Mi Re Shin in Unified Junior Lightweight Title Match
In a highly anticipated fight, Alycia Baumgardner showcased her skills in the unified junior lightweight title match against Bo Mi Re Shin on Friday night in New York. As the final moments of the bout ticked away, Baumgardner extended her arms to embrace Shin, marking the conclusion of an intense battle. Ultimately, the judges awarded Baumgardner the victory by unanimous decision, scoring the fight 98-92, 98-92, and 99-91, successfully defending her WBA, WBO, and IBF titles.
Reflections on Performance
Reflecting on her performance, Baumgardner emphasized the importance of consistency and utilizing her jab effectively.
“I had to be consistent and set the pace with my shot,”
she remarked from the ring. This victory came on the heels of a concerning incident in the co-main event, where Shadasia Green, the unified super middleweight champion, was taken out on a stretcher following a shocking knockout loss to Lani Daniels. Fortunately, Green was alert and communicated after being transported to a local hospital, as confirmed by Mike Leanardi, the head of boxing for Most Valuable Promotions.
Significance of the Fight
This fight was particularly significant for Baumgardner, as it marked her second outing in three-minute rounds, a format she had only previously experienced during her 2022 victory over Leila Beaudoin. Ahead of her clash with Shin, she expressed her intention to explore different facets of her fighting style, seeking to incorporate a more aggressive and determined demeanor into her performance. Accompanied by rapper Lil’ Kim, Baumgardner’s ring entrance was electrifying, setting the tone for the evening.
Fight Highlights
The bout began with Baumgardner (now 18-1, 7 KOs, 1 NC) carefully observing her opponent for the first minute before establishing dominance with precise jabs. As the rounds progressed, Baumgardner showcased an impressive arsenal, frequently targeting Shin’s head and body. A pivotal moment occurred in the fourth round when Baumgardner landed a series of uppercuts that wowed the audience, only for the referee, Sparkle Lee, to deny what Baumgardner believed was a knockdown.
Shin (19-4-3, 10 KOs), despite facing significant pressure, found her rhythm in the sixth round, delivering solid jabs and punches that caught Baumgardner off guard. Baumgardner rebounded in the eighth round, maintaining composure and weathering the storm of Shin’s late-game aggression. Post-fight, she expressed her desire for a bout against Katie Taylor, the current unified junior welterweight champion, indicating her willingness to adjust back to two-minute rounds if that was necessary to secure the match.
Co-Main Event Highlights
In the co-main event, Lani Daniels (12-4-2, 2 KOs) made headlines by winning the IBF and WBO super middleweight titles after defeating Green (16-3, 11 KOs) via ninth-round TKO. The referee stepped in after Daniels unleashed a flurry of right hands on Green, who failed to respond in the final round. Initially seen standing after the defeat, Green soon required assistance and was taken from the ring, with MVP’s CEO Nakisa Bidarian accompanying her to the hospital for further evaluation. In a statement, Green acknowledged sustaining injuries during the fight and expressed her commitment to resting and recovering. For precautionary measures, Daniels was also transported to a local hospital following her victory, according to Leanardi.
