Alycia Baumgardner apparently is all for giving Mikaela Mayer a rematch — it just won’t be next.
The Michigan native notched the biggest win of her career last month, in London, when she defeated Los Angeles’ Mayer on points in their 130-pound women’s title unification bout. Baumgardner, who held the WBC, IBO belts, added Mayer’s WBO and IBF versions to her collection. The fight, however, was competitive, and many observers believed Mayer had a case for winning the bout.
After the fight, Baumgardner staunchly refused to entertain the idea of giving Mayer a rematch; the two had been at each other’s throats in the lead up to their fight.
In the weeks since her banner win, Baumgardner, 28, has warmed to the idea of facing Mayer again at some point down the line.
“I do, I do,” Baumgardner said when asked about fighting Mayer again on the Last Stand Podcast with Brian Custer. “It was fun to me (in the first fight). It was fun to fight this girl. Knowing that if I fight her again, it’s not gon’ be pretty. Because I know what I can do for fun, but let’s add some more seasoning on top of that to show something else.”
Baumgardner’s immediate priority, of course, is a showdown with WBA 130-pound titlist Hyun-Mi Choi of South Korea for the undisputed women’s 130-pound championship. Baumgardner and Choi were once in talks to face each other but a deal failed to get consummated. Earlier this week, the WBA ordered them to face each other.
“I want the undisputed fight at 130 against Choi,” Baumgardner said. “That’s what I want. I put my mind to it. I’m this close to making it happen. I beat the quote-and-quote best girl in the division. Got her out the way. Now it’s time to fight Choi and make this undisputed fight for 130.”
In the meantime, Baumgardner is enjoying the wave of recognition that she has received in the boxing world since outpointing Mayer.
“I would say, me coming on the scene, you’re going to see a whole package, a whole lot to be able to disperse amongst the boxing crowd,” Baumgardner said. “I’m excited. I’ve been boxing since the age of eight. I’m at a place where I’m able to really put out and show the world who I am … I would agree that I’m a new face on the scene and I’m here to stay and here to make some legacy moves here in the sport.”
