Alycia Baumgardner made a statement about womenâs boxing at the Theater at Madison Square Garden early Saturday, but it was a longshot from New Zealand who produced the nightâs most shocking moment.
Baumgardner retained her WBO, IBF and WBA junior lightweight titles with a wide unanimous decision over South Koreaâs Bo Mi Re Shin, winning every round decisively on all three scorecards: 98-92, 98-92 and 99-91. The 31-year-old Ohio native, training under Derrick James, controlled the fight from start to finish in a 10-round main event that showcased technical precision and relentless pressure.
But the evening belonged to Lani Daniels when she upset 4-1 odds to stun unified super-middleweight champion Shadasia Green with a ninth-round technical knockout in the co-main event. The New Zealand fighter, known as the Smiling Assassin, claimed Greenâs IBF and WBO belts in one of boxingâs more jarring upsets.
The victory came at a steep cost. Green was stretchered from the ring unconscious and transported to the hospital by emergency medical personnel. Most Valuable Promotionsâ head of boxing Mike Leanardi said during a post-fight news conference that Green was âawake and talkingâ at the hospital and âconscious, speaking and movingâ based on earlier reports.
Daniels, 37, from Whangarei on New Zealandâs northern coast, struck a conflicted tone during her victory interview. âI hope sheâs alright,â the fighter said. âIâm happy but also concerned for her. Iâm happy for this and Iâm happy to become a world champion once again.â
The win marks Danielsâ third world title in a different weight class, building on previous IBF championships at light heavyweight and heavyweight. She entered the night on the back of consecutive losses to Claressa Shields and Sarah Scheurich.
Baumgardnerâs Sixth Title Defense
Baumgardner methodically dismantled Shin over 10 three-minute rounds, a format that drew pointed commentary from the champion afterward. The Baumgardner-Shin fight represented the main event of the first U.S. card staged by Most Valuable Promotions Women, the womenâs boxing platform launched by boxer-influencer Jake Paul. The venture struck a three-year media rights deal with ESPN last month designed to give female fighters regular slots on linear television.
From the opening bell, Baumgardner seized control with sharp, straight shots and crisp combinations that consistently found their target. Shin circled and remained active but struggled to penetrate Baumgardnerâs guard and timing. By the fourth round, Baumgardner landed a concussive right uppercut that snapped Shinâs head back and briefly threatened to end the fight before the challenger steadied herself.
Shin found her footing in the sixth round, using aggressive pressure and clinch work to grab exchanges in close quarters. The seventh brought genuine momentum shift as Shin barreled forward with volume, forcing Baumgardner into uncomfortable exchanges and momentarily unsettling the champion for the first time.
But Baumgardner responded like a seasoned champion, reasserting control through the eighth and ninth rounds with superior footwork, a ramrod jab, and lethal counterpunching. Shin continued pressing forward through the closing rounds but walked into clean shots and heavy punishment as Baumgardnerâs accuracy reasserted itself.
In the final round, Baumgardner declined to coast. Instead, she met Shin head-on in furious exchanges at center ring as the crowd roared. Both fighters finished on their feet trading shots at the bell before embracing as the decision was announced.
âAll I knew was I had to stay consistent with my jab and keep setting things up,â Baumgardner said immediately after. âBo was going to come regardless, so it was up to me to set the pace and land my shots.â
Baumgardner then delivered a candid remark that drew loud reaction from the theater crowd. âThree-minute rounds, 10 rounds, on my period. Baby, stop playing with me,â she said, emphasizing both the physical demands and her advocacy for longer rounds in womenâs boxing.
The champion signaled interest in facing Katie Taylor next or potentially Amanda Serrano if the Irish star cannot be secured. âSerrano makes sense, especially here in New York. We can do it at the Garden,â Baumgardner said. âWhen you ask whoâs tougher, it doesnât matter. Put me in there and Iâll show you.â
This marks Baumgardnerâs sixth title defense in the 130-pound division, where sheâs held at least one belt since 2021. She emphasized her readiness to step up to bigger challenges and better paydays. âIf fighters arenât willing to go three minutes, we canât even have a conversation,â she said. âIâm doing a different level of work. I deserve the biggest fights and the biggest paydays.â
Author James Rodriguez: "Baumgardner showed everything a modern champion should be, but Danielsâ upset and what followed made this a night boxing wonât soon forget."
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