Alycia Baumgardner has made it clear that she is intent on pursuing bouts with the sport's most prominent figures. The current unified super‑featherweight champion has named three elite opponents—Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano and Mikaela Mayer—as her top priorities, stating unequivocally, "Those are all three great fights. Let's get them all." Baumgardner's ambition extends beyond merely defending her titles; she wants to test herself against the very best, and she has placed these potential match‑ups ahead of a fight with Britain's unified lightweight champion Caroline Dubois. When asked about Dubois, the American fighter replied, "I am chasing the biggest fights.
Dubois is not ready. Is she hungry? Absolutely. Am I ducking smoke?
No. I am aligned with the biggest fights possible, and that fight will happen when it happens." Baumgardner's next scheduled defense will see her put her WBA, WBO and IBF super‑featherweight belts on the line against South Korean challenger Bo Mi Re Shin.
The bout will take place at the Madison Square Garden Theater in New York and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports starting at 3 a.m. Saturday morning. In the lead‑up to the fight, Baumgardner praised Shin's warrior spirit, acknowledging that "she's coming to fight. She is a warrior, just as I know she is." However, Baumgardner emphasized that she brings a higher level of hunger and aggression to the ring: "I'm hungrier, I'm meaner, and I'm just sharper." The champion also spoke about her mental preparation, noting that she is comfortable with the three‑minute round format but is now looking to unleash additional facets of her game.
"I want to bring in the other parts of me that I know I can bring out – the meaner side, the more aggressive side, the hungrier side, the go‑get‑it side. That's what I'm aiming for on fight night," she said.
This mindset reflects her broader strategy of seeking out the toughest competition and constantly evolving her skill set. Shin, for her part, has made no secret of her determination to dethrone Baumgardner. "Alycia was my goal.
She has always been, but now it's time to take her belts for me," Shin declared. While she respects Baumgardner's boxing style and acknowledges her opponent's strength, Shin believes her own perseverance will give her the edge. "I have a great respect for Baumgardner.
She has a great style of boxing. She's a strong fighter, but I believe I have more perseverance, and I will show you," she added. Beyond the immediate showdown, Baumgardner's larger vision involves securing marquee fights that could elevate women's boxing to new heights. A bout with Katie Taylor, the undisputed lightweight champion from Ireland, would pit two of the sport's most technically proficient fighters against each other, offering fans a masterclass in footwork, speed and tactical acumen.
Similarly, a clash with Amanda Serrano, a multi‑division champion known for her relentless pressure and power, would test Baumgardner's durability and ability to adapt to a high‑octane fighting style. A fight with Mikaela Mayer, a former Olympic hopeful and rising star in the featherweight ranks, would provide a compelling narrative of two young, hungry athletes vying for supremacy. Baumgardner's willingness to pursue these high‑profile match‑ups signals a shift in the landscape of women's boxing, where champions are no longer content with defending titles against lower‑ranked contenders. Instead, they are actively seeking out the most challenging opponents, recognizing that such fights generate greater interest, higher pay‑days, and increased visibility for the sport as a whole.
By targeting Taylor, Serrano and Mayer, Baumgardner is not only aiming to cement her own legacy but also to help grow the fan base for women's boxing worldwide. The upcoming fight with Shin will serve as a litmus test for Baumgardner's readiness to take on these future challenges. If she can demonstrate the aggression, precision and tactical versatility she has promised, she will solidify her claim as a true elite champion ready for the next level. Conversely, a loss could force a reassessment of her strategy and timing for the coveted bouts with Taylor, Serrano and Mayer.
Regardless of the outcome, the anticipation surrounding Baumgardner's next steps is palpable. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely, eager to see whether she can deliver on her promise to chase the biggest fights in the sport. As she puts it, "I am aligned with the biggest fights possible, and that fight will happen when it happens." With her upcoming defense at Madison Square Garden and her eyes firmly set on the sport's top talent, Baumgardner is poised to shape the future narrative of women's boxing, one high‑stakes encounter at a time.