Undisputed super featherweight champion Alycia ‘The Bomb’ Baumgardner 15-1 (7) made the second successful defence of her WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF belts with a revenge win over Christina ‘Medusa’ Linardatou 14-3 (6) at the Masonic Temple in Detroit, Michigan on Saturday night.
Fighting in front of her home crowd, the 29-year-old Baumgardner – who also holds The Ring championship – was fast out of the blocks as she looked to put the heat on her sole conqueror in the opening frame.
Baumgardner boxed within herself for the next few rounds, controlling the range and dictating when to engage. By the fourth she started to increase the heat, landing combinations to the body and head.
Linardatou, who is of Dominican-Greek heritage, never gave up the fight but was ultimately outclassed by Baumgardner, who simply had too many tools in her tool box.
When the final bell rang Baumgardner was given the victory by scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 98-92.
It was a mature performance by Baumgardner, who continues to improve every time out under the watchful eye of her trainer, former WBC junior middleweight champion Tony Harrison.
“It’s about boxing smart, we’ve got 10 rounds to work with. It’s about skill,” Baumgardner said.
Baumgardner suffered her first and only professional loss to Linardatou in her seventh pro bout five years ago, losing a split decision over eight frames.
Asked to assess her performance in the rematch, Baumgardner said: “I would give it an A. I can close this chapter.”
Baumgardner said she is comfortable in the 130-pound weight class but said she would be willing to move up for the right fight. Those names include undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor 22-1 (6) and undisputed junior welterweight champion Chantelle Cameron 18-0 (8), who successfully defended her four world title belts against Taylor in May. They are expected to face each other in a rematch later this year.
Another option is undisputed featherweight champion Amanda Serrano 44-2-1 (30), who is back in action next month against Heather Hardy 24-2 (4).
All three opponents would be intriguing options with The Ring magazine rating Cameron, Taylor and Serrano at numbers two, three and four in their pound-for-pound rankings.
Promotor Eddie Hearn says Baumgardner has his full backing to face the other superstars of women’s boxing in and around her weight class.
“I think the city of Detroit should be very proud of Alycia Baumgardner. I think she’s a great representative of the city,” the Matchroom Boxing boss said.
“She’s an undisputed champion. She’s had big fights, but she has yet to have the mega fights and that’s what she deserves now. I think the fight with Amanda Serrano is an incredible fight.
“Alycia’s ready for mega-fights and Serrano is a tremendous fight. Serrano next, then the winner of [Chantelle] Cameron vs [Katie] Taylor. Only big fights for Alycia now.”
