Alicia Baumgardner Retains Title, Sets Sights on Major Fights
Alicia Baumgardner successfully defended her unified junior lightweight title by defeating Bo Mi Le Shin through a unanimous decision. With a clear victory in the books, Baumgardner has already turned her attention towards potential matchups against notable fighters Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano.
Baumgardner, a strong favorite entering the bout, displayed her confidence right from the opening bell. Although Singh put up a good fight, particularly in the sixth and seventh rounds, she struggled to land effective punches against the determined champion.
The final scorecards read 98-92, 98-92, and 99-91 in favor of Baumgardner, who, despite her impressive record improving to 18-1, continues to experience a five-year knockout drought. Following her victory, she expressed a mix of determination and a sense of humor, stating, “three minutes, 10 rounds, baby, stop playing with me because I’m on my period.”
Reflecting on the fight, Baumgardner acknowledged her ongoing journey in the sport. “I feel comfortable and it’s an adjustment every time. Three minutes is a long time, so I’m still learning and growing. I don’t know everything, but that’s okay. I just keep going back and improving,” she commented.
Not one to shy away from high-profile matchups, Baumgardner explicitly called out Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano after her latest victory. “I’m a piranha and that (Caroline Dubois) is a guppy. Get her out of here,” she added, dismissing any challenges from Dubois, who has been vocal about wanting a fight with her.
Should a match with Katie Taylor materialize, it is expected to occur soon, as discussions are already underway for Taylor’s anticipated farewell match, which she hopes will take place at Croke Park.
Shock Upset in the Ring as Lani Daniels Knocks Out Shadasia Greene
The evening was not without surprises, as Lani Daniels delivered the night’s most significant upset by scoring a ninth-round knockout against Shadasia Greene. Greene, a former IBF and WBO super middleweight champion, was carried off the ring on a stretcher following the shocking defeat.
Greene initially landed powerful punches and seemed poised for victory until the latter stages of the fight. After a grueling eighth round, she was visibly disoriented. Daniels seized the opportunity in the ninth round, unleashing a series of strikes that necessitated referee intervention just 32 seconds in, granting Daniels the TKO victory and crowning her the new IBF, WBO, and Ring super middleweight champion.
Following the fight, Greene was swiftly taken to the hospital for evaluation. Meanwhile, Daniels expressed her gratitude to supporters worldwide and wished Greene a speedy recovery, underscoring the sportsmanship that often shines through amid the rigors of competition.
