
Photos by Top Rank
The World Boxing Council super-featherweight champion, Alycia Baumgardner (13-1, 7 KOs) is now one step closer to becoming the undisputed champion, after defeating Mikaela Mayer (17-1, 5 KOs) via split decision to unify the WBC, WBO and IBF crowns on Saturday night in a thrilling performance at the O2 Arena.
After several months of tension and frisson, the two finally stepped into the ring as part of a historic night for women’s boxing in London.
Baumgardner started the fight winning the first rounds by boxing from the outside, using smart footwork and countering Mayer’s attack.
Mayer began to even things up in the fourth round, increasing the intensity of the fight to win following rounds. However, Baumgardner recovered and regained rhythm to land more power shots while Mayer remained busy, in a highly competitive and entertaining fight.
Baumgardner took the victory with two scores of 96-95, while a Judge saw Mayer as the winner with a score of 97-93.
“I just want to first thank my lord, Jesus Christ, for blessing me and getting me through this time,” Baumgardner said. “I broke my ass to get here. As I said before, my steps were ordered. I did everything to get to this point, I even practiced this speech and what I was going to say.
“I landed the cleanest punches. The hardest blows. I dug deep. I’m going after Choi [Hyun-Mi] like I said. Undiputed is what I want to be and it is what I am going to do”.
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