Overview:
Alycia Baumgardner, the undisputed super featherweight champion, is preparing to defend her titles at Madison Square Garden on July 11, 2024, in an all-women's card. Baumgardner, who is of German, Japanese, and Korean descent and African-American, is committed to using her platform to inspire and impact the communities she is part of. She believes that her faith and purpose are her greatest assets, and that her boxing career is a calling to make a global impact. Baumgardner's fight at Madison Square Garden could make her the first woman in the super featherweight division to defend an undisputed title on such a stage.
On a humid Monday afternoon in Dallas, with the city skyline behind her and purpose in every punch, Alycia “The Bomb” Baumgardner is locked in. The undisputed super featherweight champion isn’t just preparing for another fight; she’s building something far more lasting: a legacy rooted in faith, identity, and global impact.
She may live and train in Texas now, but Baumgardner’s story begins in Fremont, Ohio. Born to a mother of German, Japanese, and Korean descent and an African-American father, her multicultural heritage runs deep, and it’s central to how she moves through the world.
“When you think about being a world champion, you’re worldwide when it comes to influence,” she said. “I just want to continue to have that impact on the world.”
A Historic Night at Madison Square Garden
That impact will be on full display July 11, when Baumgardner steps into the ring at Madison Square Garden to face Spain’s Jennifer Miranda. The matchup is part of a groundbreaking, all-women’s card, headlined by the Katie Taylor–Amanda Serrano trilogy fight, and will stream live around the world on Netflix.
It’s more than just another bout; it’s a milestone, one that could cement Baumgardner’s place in boxing history. A win wouldn’t just add another name to her résumé. It would make her the first woman in the super featherweight division to defend an undisputed title on a stage of this magnitude at Madison Square Garden and on a global platform.
It’s a historic moment, not just for her, but for women’s boxing as a whole.
If successful, the fight would mark Baumgardner’s third consecutive defense of all four major titles (WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO), in addition to the IBO and Ring Magazine belts. That kind of sustained dominance is rare at any level of the sport, male or female.
She first claimed the undisputed crown by defeating Elhem Mekhaled in February 2023, then backed it up with a win over Christina Linardatou in July of the same year. Her most recent outing, a no-contest against Delfine Persoon due to an accidental head clash in September 2024, only adds to the urgency of making a definitive statement at MSG.
Elevating the Sport
The setting itself is historic. Madison Square Garden, “The Mecca of Boxing,” has long been the stage for some of the sport’s most legendary fights, but it has rarely showcased women’s boxing on this scale. For Baumgardner to defend her titles there, as part of an all-women’s card, represents a significant shift in both culture and visibility.
Even more groundbreaking? The event will be streamed globally on Netflix, bringing unprecedented reach and exposure. It signals a new era where women’s boxing isn’t a sideshow—it’s the main event.
Dallas Roots, Global Reach
But for Baumgardner, no matter how big the platform, everything comes back to where she’s grounded.
“Dallas is awesome; very welcoming,” she shared during a recent media day. “I love the state of Texas. I’ve been down here for some time and have gotten a feel for the city. Everybody’s very welcoming; I love that Southern hospitality.”
Her move to Dallas isn’t just about being close to a gym, it’s about alignment.
“Anywhere I go, I want to influence the community I’m a part of,” she said. “I think it’s important to give back, and that’s the purpose of who I am today as a champion.”
Her presence in the city is already being felt, whether she’s training, showing up at Dallas Stars playoff games, or simply engaging with fans across social media. For Baumgardner, being a champion means more than just winning belts.
“It’s important to be engaged in the community and be part of the city in a different way than you are as an athlete,” she said.
Faith as Her Foundation
At 31, Baumgardner is just as committed to spiritual growth as she is to physical preparation. Her faith is a guiding force.
“Mentally, I’ve been preparing my whole life for the assignment that the Lord has for me,” she said. “It’s a bigger calling. Boxing is just a platform.”
That platform, she believes, is meant to inspire, not just through wins, but through purpose.
“I continue to ask the Lord, ‘What is my purpose, and what is my assignment?’ I know that I’m gifted in sports and being an athlete, but it’s bigger than that. It’s the impact, the influence, and helping people discover who they are and the gifts and talents they possess.”
Champion, Trailblazer, Connector
That kind of mindset is what separates Baumgardner. She’s not only an elite fighter; she’s a connector, an advocate, and a global presence.
“We’re talking about Africa, Australia, the UK, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi,” she said. “This is a worldwide thing.”
She’s fighting for more than belts, she’s fighting to leave a mark that lasts long after the final bell.
“I want people to understand who Alycia Baumgardner is,” she said. “She is one of the best women fighters of all time, and she is more than just an athlete. She’s a trailblazer whose impact is felt on the highest level.”
On July 11, with the boxing world watching, Baumgardner has the chance to prove that once again. Because when she steps into that ring at Madison Square Garden, she’s not just defending her titles—she’s redefining what it means to be a champion.