Alycia Baumgardner defeats Mikaela Mayer by split decision to unify three titles
Alycia Baumgardner has arrived.
The Detroit fighter defeated previously unbeaten Mikaela Mayer by a split decision in a 10-round fight to unify three 130-pound titles on the Claressa Shields-Savannah Marshall card Saturday in London.
The scores were 96-95, 96-95 and 93-97. Boxing Junkie had it 95-95, a draw.
The fight was relatively uneventful, as neither boxter could take complete charge of the action.
Baumgardner got off to a strong start, controlling the first two rounds by outworking Mayer and landed the cleaner, harder punches.
Mayer adjusted by the third round, pushing the action by fighting behind her jab and landing well timed, accurate power punches through the sixth round.
Then, with Mayer cut above her right eye in the seventh, Baumgardner reclaimed the momentum by outworking Mayer and landing some of the biggest shots of the fight.
Mayer bounced back again to have a good ninth round, while the last round was close.
Thus, the fight seemed to be up in the air when it went to the cards. And no one, except Mayer, was surprised that the scoring was close.
The victory was the biggest of Baumgardner’s career, making her a major player in women’s boxing.
