Alycia Baumgardner has made it clear that she is intent on pursuing bouts with the sport's most high‑profile athletes. The current unified super‑featherweight champion has named three elite fighters—Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano and Mikaela Mayer—as her primary targets, stating unequivocally, "Those are all three great fights. Let's get them all." Baumgardner’s ambition goes beyond simply defending her belts; she wants to test herself against the very best in the division and cement her legacy by taking on the biggest names on the planet.
While the American pugilist is openly chasing these marquee match‑ups, she has also addressed rumors that she might face Britain’s rising lightweight champion Caroline Dubois. Baumgardner dismissed the notion that she is avoiding Dubois, explaining that her focus is on the most lucrative and historically significant fights available. "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," she said, underscoring her confidence that the timing will align when the right opportunity presents itself. Baumgardner’s next scheduled defense will see her put her WBA, WBO and IBF super‑featherweight titles on the line against South Korean challenger Bo Mi Re Shin.
The bout is set for the Madison Square Garden Theater in New York and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the early hours of Saturday morning. Baumgardner described Shin as a determined warrior, but she also emphasized that she brings a greater level of hunger, aggression and precision to the ring.
"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," Baumgardner asserted, hinting at a tactical edge that she believes will give her the upper hand.
In preparation for the fight, Baumgardner has spoken about her training regimen and mental approach. She highlighted her ability to maintain a high work rate over three‑minute rounds and expressed a desire to unleash the more ferocious aspects of her game.
"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," she explained, indicating that she plans to blend technical skill with a relentless, pressure‑based style that will keep her opponent on the defensive. Shin, for her part, has made no secret of her intentions to disrupt Baumgardner’s plans.
The challenger declared that Baumgardner has been a long‑term goal and that she now intends to claim the champion’s belts. "Alycia was my goal.
She has always been, but now it's time to take her belts for me," Shin proclaimed. Despite acknowledging Baumgardner’s talent, Shin believes her own perseverance will prove decisive. "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, setting the stage for a compelling clash of styles and personalities.
Beyond the immediate fight, Baumgardner’s broader career strategy is anchored in a desire to secure high‑profile match‑ups that will elevate both her status and the visibility of women’s boxing. By targeting Taylor, Serrano and Mayer—each a former or current world champion with significant fan followings—Baumgardner aims to generate interest that transcends the sport’s traditional audience.
She believes that such fights will not only boost her own marketability but also advance the profile of women’s boxing on a global scale. The prospect of a bout with Katie Taylor, the Irish legend who has dominated the lightweight division for years, is particularly tantalizing.
Taylor’s technical proficiency, footwork and defensive acumen make her one of the toughest opponents any fighter could face. If Baumgardner were to secure a fight with Taylor, it would likely be billed as a clash of two of the most technically gifted and disciplined athletes in the sport, drawing massive viewership and media attention. Amanda Serrano, meanwhile, offers a different challenge.
Known for her power, aggression and relentless pressure, Serrano has proven she can finish fights with devastating knockout power. A matchup between Baumgardner’s speed and precision and Serrano’s brute force would present a classic striker‑versus‑boxer scenario, providing fans with a dramatic narrative and a potential fireworks finish. Mikaela Mayer, the American contender who has risen rapidly through the ranks, brings youthful energy and a versatile skill set.
A fight with Mayer would not only be a test of Baumgardner’s experience against a hungry up‑and‑comer but also a showcase of American talent on a global stage. The potential for a high‑octane, fast‑paced battle could attract a new generation of viewers.
While Baumgardner acknowledges that these fights may not materialize immediately, she remains steadfast in her commitment to pursuing them. "I’m not going to sit around waiting for opportunities to come to me. I’m going to create them," she said in a recent interview. This proactive mindset reflects her broader philosophy of taking control of her career trajectory, rather than relying on promoters or sanctioning bodies to dictate her path.
In addition to her in‑ring ambitions, Baumgardner is also leveraging modern media platforms to broaden her reach. She regularly appears on podcasts such as Toe2Toe, where she discusses training, strategy and the business side of boxing. By engaging with fans through these channels, she builds a personal brand that extends beyond the fight card, making her a more marketable figure for potential pay‑per‑view events. The upcoming defense against Bo Mi Re Shin will serve as a pivotal moment in Baumgardner’s campaign.
A decisive victory would not only reinforce her dominance at super‑featherweight but also strengthen her bargaining position when negotiating future mega‑fights. Conversely, a setback could force her to reassess her approach and potentially shift her focus toward other weight classes or different opponents.
Regardless of the outcome, Baumgardner’s determination to line up the sport’s biggest names demonstrates a clear vision for her legacy. By challenging Taylor, Serrano and Mayer, she aims to write a chapter in boxing history that highlights the depth of talent in women’s divisions and proves that female fighters can command the same level of excitement and commercial appeal as their male counterparts. The boxing world will be watching closely as Baumgardner continues her quest for glory, and fans can expect a series of high‑stakes, high‑profile bouts that could reshape the landscape of the sport for years to come.