Sweet Revenge for Alycia Baumgardner on a Matchroom Show in Detroit

Five years make a huge difference as Alycia Baumgardner pounded out a victory over Christina Linardatou to retain the undisputed super featherweight world title in Detroit on Saturday.

No doubt about it.

“For me it’s about boxing smart. You know we have 10 rounds in the fight and I’m a professional,” said Baumgardner. “Its about skill and it’s about being smart.”

Baumgardner (15-1, 7 KOs) avenged the only loss on her record with a skillful and tactical attack that kept Linardatou (14-3, 6 KOs) from finding success at Detroit’s Masonic Temple.

Although almost every round was competitive Baumgardner controlled the fight with a variety of body shots and jabs. And when things got dicey, the champion opened up with bludgeoning combinations.

Linardatou defeated Baumgardner with a withering attack in their first encounter in 2018. Since then, the champion has found new ways to control a fight and used blasts to the body to keep the challenger from fighting inside.

It worked almost every round.

At times Baumgardner changed into a southpaw stance and kept Linardatou off-balance. But the challenger was determined to fight inside and willing to take blows to do it. Neither fighter seemed particularly hurt but those body shots seemed painful.

Linardatou opened up with a fierce attack in the third round. Combinations rained from the native of the Dominican Republic who calls Greece her home. A counter right connected solidly but barely made Baumgardner flinch. Still, it was a good round for Linardatou.

If you’ve seen Baumgardner perform before, she responds in furious fashion.

After Linardatou connected with a right in the fourth round, Baumgardner used a ramrod jab to keep the challenger at a distance. And when she dared attack, Baumgardner opened up with a crushing five-punch combination to the body that put Linardatou on defense against the ropes. It was Baumgardner’s round emphatically.

The challenger changed her attack in the fifth round with more lateral movement and shots to the head. It took Baumgardner some time to figure out the strategy. Back to the body was Baumgardner’s solution.

From the seventh round on Baumgardner varied her attack and took control of the fight. Though Linardatou was competitive in every round she could not muster an attack to gain control.

Baumgardner seemed to be looking for a knockout but could not put a damaging dent to Linardatou. But the body shots seemed to be more impactful and forced the challenger to respect the champion.

After 10 rounds two judges scored it 98-92 and another 99-91 for Baumgardner who finally avenged her only loss.

The undisputed champion said she would love a match against any of the stars from 135 to 140 including Katie Taylor, or Amanda Serrano or Chantelle Cameron.

Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn explained that Taylor and Cameron will be fighting in a rematch and that the winner can fight Baumgardner.

“She’s yet to have the mega fights and that’s what she deserves now,” said Hearn. “She’s one of the most vicious punchers pound for pound in boxing today.”

Other Bouts

Cuban Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz (1-0) fought Mexico’s veteran Juan Carlos Burgos (35-8-3) in a 10-round pro debut and won by unanimous decision in a lightweight match.

Cruz adapted quickly to the pro style and did not run like most amateurs out of the gate. He stayed in the pocket and out-maneuvered Burgos for a clear cut win. It was impressive.

Jermaine Franklin (22-2, 14 KOs) pounded out a win over Mexico’s Isaac Munoz (17-1-1, 14 KOs) to hand him his first defeat. The Mexican heavyweight was never knocked down despite absorbing almost every punch in the book. Franklin, who fought Anthony Joshua in April , won by unanimous decision.

A super bantamweight fight saw Detroit’s Ja’Rico O’Quinn (16-1-1, 8 KOs) beat Venezuela’s Carlos Mujica (8-3, 2 KOs) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds.

Across the Pond

Josh Kelly (14-1-1) dominated Argentina’s Gabriel Corzo (18-1, 3 Kos) for 12 rounds to retain the WBO International super welterweight title. The Argentine fighter seemed to fight to survive and not to win.

Liam Dillon (13-0-1) remained undefeated and picked up the British super featherweight title over Olympian Qais Ashfaq (12-2) in a back-and-forth 12-round battle. Two knockdowns by Dillon proved the difference.

Female flyweight prospect Chloe Watson (6-0) won every round against the very defensive Laura Belen Valdebenito (5-5-1) in an eight-round match.

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE