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 next big targets, and she isn’t shy about her ambition.
"Those are all three great fights. Let’s get them all," Baumgardner said, underscoring her desire to test herself against the very best in the division. While those names dominate the conversation, Baumgardner also addressed the question of whether she would consider a clash with Britain’s unified lightweight champion Caroline Dubois.
The American boxer made it plain that her priority lies with the biggest possible match‑ups, and she does not see Dubois as a current priority. "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 explained, emphasizing that she will not settle for anything less than a marquee event.
Baumgardner’s next scheduled fight is a title defense of her WBA, WBO and IBF super‑featherweight belts against 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.
When asked about Shin, Baumgardner acknowledged her opponent’s warrior spirit but insisted that she brings an even greater hunger and sharper instincts 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," she said, promising a fierce contest.
Baumgardner also spoke about her mindset heading into the fight. She believes she can handle the three‑minute rounds and wants to tap into the more aggressive, relentless side 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 added, indicating that she plans to press forward with relentless pressure and tactical precision.
Shin, for her part, has made no secret of her intentions to upset Baumgardner’s plans. She has declared Baumgardner as her primary goal and expressed confidence that she can claim the titles. "Alycia was my goal. She has always been, but now it's time to take her belts for me," Shin asserted.
While she respects Baumgardner’s skill set, 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 promised. The upcoming contest promises to be a pivotal moment in Baumgardner’s career. A successful defense could cement her status as a dominant force in the super‑featherweight division and provide a platform from which she can negotiate the high‑profile fights she desires. A loss, however, would likely force a reassessment of her immediate goals and could delay or derail her pursuit of bouts with Taylor, Serrano or Mayer.
Beyond the immediate stakes, Baumgardner’s outspoken ambition reflects a broader trend in women’s boxing, where athletes are increasingly vocal about seeking marquee match‑ups that draw larger audiences and greater financial rewards. By naming Taylor, Serrano and Mayer—each of whom has achieved significant acclaim—Baumgardner is positioning herself as a central figure in the sport’s ongoing narrative of growth and visibility. Katie Taylor, a multiple‑time Olympic gold medalist and undisputed lightweight champion, represents a monumental challenge.
A fight with Taylor would not only be a clash of two elite boxers but also a historic event given Taylor’s status as one of the most celebrated female fighters of her generation. Amanda Serrano, another multi‑division champion, brings a reputation for power and relentless pressure that would test Baumgardner’s defensive skills and counter‑punching abilities.
Mikaela Mayer, a rising star with a strong amateur pedigree, offers a blend of speed and technical finesse that could produce a fast‑paced, skill‑driven encounter. If Baumgardner manages to secure any of these fights, the implications would extend beyond the individual bout. It would signal a willingness among promoters and broadcasters to invest in women’s boxing at a level comparable to the men’s sport, potentially leading to more frequent high‑profile match‑ups, better paydays for the athletes, and increased media coverage. In preparation for her title defense, Baumgardner has reportedly intensified her training regimen, focusing on strength conditioning, speed work, and tactical sparring sessions designed to simulate the styles of her potential future opponents.
She has also been working with a team of analysts to study Shin’s previous fights, looking for patterns and weaknesses she can exploit on fight night. The fight against Bo Mi Re Shin will be streamed on various platforms, including a contract‑free option through NOW, and will also be featured on the Toe2Toe podcast, where Baumgardner often discusses her strategies and upcoming challenges. Fans are encouraged to watch the live broadcast on Sky Sports Action and Main Event, which will begin at the early‑morning hour of 3 a.m. Saturday.
In summary, Alycia Baumgardner is on a clear mission: to defend her unified titles against Bo Mi Re Shin, then leverage that victory to negotiate high‑stakes bouts with some of the biggest names in women’s boxing—Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano and Mikaela Mayer. Her confidence, hunger, and willingness to speak openly about her goals make her a compelling figure in the sport, and the upcoming fight will be a crucial stepping stone on her path toward those marquee match‑ups.