Alycia Baumgardner showed off her moves before the fight and during in defeating South Korea’s Bo Mi Re Shin by unanimous decision to defend the super featherweight championship at Madison Square Garden on Friday night.
Known for her fight entrances Baumgardner walked in with hip hop artist Little Kim.
Once the ornate robes were unraveled Baumgardner (18-1, 7 Kos) went to work against the aggressive Shin (19-4-3, 10 Kos) in 10 three-minute rounds at MSG Theater and demonstrated what separates her from most other female fighters. It was another solid fight card by Most Valuable Promotions.
Baumgardner established a line of defense in the first round and dared Shin to cross the invisible barrier. Strong jabs and uppercuts pounded Shin whenever the blonde fighter attempted to land a blow. For two rounds the champion had no problems.
Shin made her move in the third round by stepping up the tempo and unraveled a whirlwind of blows. Several landed including a left hook and Baumgardner seemed shaken and held onto the South Korean for more than 20 seconds. It was the first time in memory that anyone had rocked Baumgardner.
Baumgardner must have wanted immediate revenge as she opened up the fourth round with a sizzling right uppercut followed by a quick left hook and a right cross. Shin’s legs quivered and suddenly she was in serious trouble. Baumgardner went in for the stoppage. The Korean fighter withstood the attacks despite the three-minute length. Baumgardner wasted a lot of energy going for that knockout.
Shin was able to resume her aggressive tactics for the next two rounds and seemed to be back in the fight. Baumgardner used all her skills such as grappling while inside, pushing to keep the Korean off-balance and slick movement to create angles. All those tactics stalled Shins attacks.
“I knew she was tough,” Baumgardner said.
During the seventh and eighth rounds Baumgardner resorted to boxing tactics that forced Shin to chase her with little success. Baumgardner shifted from one side to another that forced Shin from establishing a power stance. Meanwhile the champion fired tepid jabs and rights that had little impact but were connecting. Baumgardner was in full charge.
Both fighters ended the last round aggressively with power shots. During the last 10 seconds both exploded with fierce combinations until the final bell. After 10 rounds all three judges ruled Baumgardner the winner 98-92 twice and 99-91. She retains the WBA, WBO, IBF super featherweight world titles.
“I had to be consistent,” said Baumgardner about her battle plan. “It’s all up to me to be committed.”
Daniels Dethrones Green
New Zealand’s Lani Daniels proved that size didn’t matter in dethroning Shadasia Green by knockout to win the unified super middleweight titles. Once Daniels was able to cut down the distance and take the fight inside she was able to out-punch and frustrate Green.
Green used her reach in the first round to keep Daniels at a distance at first. But Daniels used her experience in fighting champions like Claressa Shields a year ago to find a way to smother Green and fight toe-to-toe.
Daniels basically took over the fight after the first round, except for the fifth when Green kept the Kiwi at a distance. But after that Daniels dived in close and smothered Green with blows from all angles to pummel the champion.
In the eighth round it was obvious that Green had run out of fuel and was unable to punch back. Daniels sensed something changed and began to attack furiously.
Daniels opened up the ninth round on overdrive and immediately it was evident that Green was unable to match blows and went into a defensive shell along the ropes. Daniels fired right after right until the referee stepped and stopped the fight. Daniels was ruled the winner by technical knockout at 32 seconds of the round.
Daniels becomes the new unified super middleweight champion and is a three-division world champion now.
The Kiwi fighter said she “learned a lot” from her previous world title fight in America against Claressa Shields. Green was taken to the hospital after complaining of pain immediately after the stoppage. No further word on her condition.
Rosado
Puerto Rico’s Krystal Rosado (9-1) used her speed and agility to slug out a win over Mexico’s Fernanda Reyes (8-1) after eight rounds in the bantamweight fight. All three judges saw Rosado the winner 79-73, 80-72, 78-74.
Rosado is a fighter that has all the tools necessary to advance in the sport, but has a problem trying to use them all the time at once. Her speed makes up for her inaccuracy.
Rosado is already ranked and MVP is pushing for a title fight for the talented Boricua. She may need a little more seasoning.
“I’m very happy and thankful to all the people who came to support me,” said Rosado.
Dove
Natalie Dove (8-0-1) survived an eight-round fight against Guatemala’s Maria Michero (14-7) and won by split decision in their flyweight fight. Doves counter-punching style was almost exploited by wild swinging Michero who connected often with looping shots throughout their match. No knockdowns were scored but Michero had the more head turning moments though two judges felt otherwise. After eight rounds two judges saw it 77-75 for Dove and one 77-75 for Michero.
Boos from the crowd were heard after Dove was called the winner by split decision.
Miller
Despite suffering a knockdown Raquel Miller (14-0, 6 Kos) rallied to win by unanimous decision after six rounds against Brazil’s Adriana Araujo (6-4, 1 KO). Miller was knocked down in the second round but still fought back and won the remainder of the match by unanimous decision 58-56. 57-56 twice.
“It was a flash knockdown,” explained Miller about getting dropped. “A little bit of ring rust but I’m back.”
Miller had been inactive for three years.
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