Alycia Baumgardner has made it clear that she intends to pursue bouts with the sport's most prominent figures. The current unified super‑featherweight champion has named Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano and Mikaela Mayer as her primary targets, stating, "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 elite and cement her legacy by taking on the best talent available. The American fighter emphasized that these high‑profile matchups take precedence over a potential clash with Britain’s unified lightweight champion Caroline Dubois. "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 explained. Her confidence reflects a strategic focus on opponents who can provide both a commercial draw and a genuine sporting challenge. Baumgardner’s next scheduled defense will see her put her WBA, WBO and IBF super‑featherweight belts on the line against South Korean contender Bo Mi Re Shin.
The fight is slated for 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, Baumgardner praised Shin’s warrior spirit, acknowledging her opponent’s determination: "One thing about Bo is that she's coming to fight. She is a warrior, just as I know she is.
But I'm hungrier, and I'm meaner, and I'm just sharper." She added that she plans to tap into a more aggressive, relentless side of her game, saying, "I know that I can do three‑minute rounds, so now I want to bring in the other parts of me that I know that I can bring out. And that's just the meaner side, the more aggressive side, the hungrier side, the go‑get‑it side. That's what I'm aiming for for fight night." Shin, meanwhile, has made no secret of her intention to upset Baumgardner’s broader plans. "Alycia was my goal.
She has always been, but now it's time to take her belts for me," Shin declared, indicating that a victory would not only earn her the titles but also derail Baumgardner’s pursuit of Taylor, Serrano and Mayer. Shin expressed admiration for Baumgardner’s style, noting, "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." If Baumgardner succeeds in defending her crowns against Shin, the next logical step in her career trajectory would be to negotiate fights with the three women she has singled out.
Each of those opponents brings a distinct set of credentials: * Katie Taylor, the Irish sensation, is a multiple‑time Olympic gold medalist and the undisputed lightweight champion who has dominated the division for years. A bout with Taylor would be a historic clash of two of the sport’s most accomplished female boxers, potentially unifying additional titles and generating massive global interest. * Amanda Serrano, a Puerto Rican powerhouse, has captured world championships across seven weight classes, a record for any boxer, male or female. Serrano’s relentless pressure and knockout power make her a formidable challenge for anyone, and a fight with her would test Baumgardner’s durability and tactical versatility.
* Mikaela Mayer, the American Olympian turned professional, brings speed, technical precision, and a rising profile in the featherweight ranks. A showdown between Baumgardner and Mayer would pit two of the United States’ top female fighters against each other, creating a compelling narrative for American audiences and sponsors alike. Beyond the immediate sporting implications, securing these marquee matchups would also have significant commercial benefits.
High‑profile fights attract larger broadcast deals, sponsorships, and pay‑per‑view revenue, all of which can elevate a boxer’s brand and financial standing. Baumgardner’s willingness to pursue these fights signals to promoters and networks that she is ready to be a headline attraction, not just a titleholder. In addition to the business side, Baumgardner’s stated desire to fight the best aligns with a broader movement in women’s boxing toward greater visibility and parity with the men’s game.
By targeting the sport’s most recognized names, she is helping to raise the profile of female boxing, encouraging more media coverage and fan engagement. This, in turn, can inspire the next generation of female athletes to pursue the sport professionally. As the fight with Shin approaches, fans can expect a high‑energy contest that will showcase Baumgardner’s evolving style—more aggressive, more relentless, and more determined than ever before. Whether she retains her belts or suffers a setback, the outcome will shape the next chapter of her career.
A victory would keep her on track for the coveted bouts with Taylor, Serrano and Mayer, while a loss could open the door for new challengers and perhaps a different strategic path. Regardless of the result, the boxing world will be watching closely.
The combination of Baumgardner’s ambition, the quality of her potential opponents, and the growing appetite for top‑level women’s fights promises an exciting era for the sport. Stay tuned for the live broadcast on Sky Sports, and prepare for what could be a pivotal moment in the career of one of boxing’s most driven champions.