Alycia Baumgardner kept her undisputed super-featherweight championship, winning a unanimous decision over Jennifer Miranda at New York`s iconic Madison Square Garden. It was a defense that proved surprisingly difficult for the champion known as `The Bomb`, unfolding on a significant boxing night in the city.
While the judges turned in scorecards ranging from 98-92 to a slightly closer 97-93 in Baumgardner`s favor, these numbers arguably paint a picture far less competitive than the reality witnessed inside the ring. Miranda, stepping up to the undisputed challenge for the first time, gave the champion all she could handle over ten rounds, leaving some observers scratching their heads at the official tally.
Miranda, making her debut challenge for major world titles, immediately presented a physical puzzle for Baumgardner. Her considerable size and strength were apparent from the outset, particularly in close quarters. An early moment saw Miranda briefly visit the canvas after a Baumgardner attack, though the referee ruled it a slip rather than a knockdown – a call that perhaps underscored the gritty, contested nature the affair would maintain.
As the bout progressed, both fighters traded effective shots. While Baumgardner landed clean punches, Miranda showed remarkable resilience and landed her own punishing right hand with noticeable effect, appearing to trouble the champion at various points and disrupting her rhythm. The anticipated dominant performance from the decorated champion didn`t fully materialize; instead, the fight developed into a back-and-forth strategic battle punctuated by bursts of aggression from both sides, with Miranda holding her own, especially on the inside.
Despite a spirited and determined performance that saw her celebrate at the final bell, perhaps believing her efforts were sufficient, Miranda was handed the first defeat of her professional career. The experience of challenging for undisputed status at Madison Square Garden, however, will likely be a valuable one for the Spaniard.
Reflecting on the performance, Baumgardner herself offered a modest “B+” self-grade in the post-fight interview, acknowledging it wasn`t her absolute peak but highlighting the value of getting rounds in after a significant layoff. That period included navigating and ultimately being cleared by the WBC of intentional wrongdoing following a 2023 drug test issue, adding another layer of context to her return to the ring.
Ultimately, the night at MSG saw Alycia Baumgardner retain her status atop the super-featherweight division, securing the win on the scorecards, but only after facing a challenge from Jennifer Miranda that proved far sterner and more competitive than those official tallies might suggest.
