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Alycia Baumgardner: “Every Fight Has Something Earnest In It”

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Alycia Baumgardner can be forgiven if, years from now, she doesn’t look back on the period from August 2023 to September 2024 as the happiest time of her life.

She’s a boxer who couldn’t box. She tested positive for banned substances and spent about six months fighting to clear her name (and she knows that fight for her reputation could last the rest of her career). In April, her father, Mario Guzman, the man who first introduced her to boxing, died at the age of 56. And she continued to deal with the threats and distractions of a man accused of stalking her until he was finally convicted in July—for the second time, since the stalking resurfaced after his first release from prison.

Baumgardner last fought on July 15, 2023, when she convincingly defeated Christina Linardatou (with a PED controversy after the fact) on points to avenge the only loss of her career. A year, two months, and 12 days later, she will return to the ring on September 27 to defend one of her junior lightweight titles against Delfine Persoon.

It’s secure to say that Baumgardner, who went from 20 to 30 during her break from work, has a lot of pent-up frustration she can take out on the Belgian veteran.

“I’ve been through so much,” Baumgardner told Boxing Scene. “This win has so much history and I know what it’s going to be like. I have so much to fight for. It all reminds me of how I felt when I became world champion against Terri Harper. And you know how that ended.”

(In case anyone reading this didn’t know: a violent right hook in the fourth round that pinned Harper and knocked her to her feet.)

So, considering everything she has been through – the mourning, the stress, the criticism, the lack of activity – will Baumgardner struggle with the proverbial grief on September 27?

“Yeah, well… every fight I have something to prove,” she replied. “It seems like every fight I go in with something to prove.”

The only time in her career that Baumgardner, 15-1 (7 KOs), hasn’t fought for an extended period of time was a 20-month layoff from December 2019 to August 2021, due to a combination of ACL surgery and a global pandemic that has thrown a wrench in everyone’s plans. But she’s not worried about the 14-month layoff affecting her. She’s been in the gym all year and expects to be in tip-top shape for the Persoon showdown.

However, she admits that the reason for her dismissal – the doping controversy – has weakened her momentum and damaged her reputation.

Reminder: She tested positive for mesterolone and methenolone metabolites before her win over Linardatou, and the results were released a month later. The test was conducted by Drug Free Sport, a voluntary third-party agency, and Baumgardner has consistently maintained her innocence — which may or may not mean anything, since most boxers who test positive deny the results. The WBC, whose title she will defend later this month, conducted an investigation and concluded that Baumgardner was “not guilty of intentionally ingesting or consuming a banned substance for the purpose of enhancing performance.”

She was given a one-year probation period from the alphabetical order backdated to July 2023, the Association of Boxing Commissions lifted her suspension, and here we are. Linardatou’s triumph remained a triumph. The positive test was expunged from her record.

But it can’t be erased from everyone’s memory.

“I know it’s a blemish, for sure,” Baumgardner said. “Of course, I don’t like it, but it is what it is and I can only move forward and just continue to prove who I am and stand for neat sports and stand for honesty in being heard. Boxing is one of those sports where some people don’t get a chance to be heard, and I was fortunate enough to be heard and show everything I needed to show to be found innocent. I know the truth. I know who I am and what my integrity is as an athlete. I can only continue on my own path to continue to show up in my real self.”

Her path now runs through Persoon, who is no simple target. The only losses on her 49-3 (19 KO) record are a TKO loss suffered well before the midterm elections in Barack Obama’s first term in office and two incredibly close decisions — one of them highly disputed — to Katie Taylor. She has defeated the best of the rest that the 130- and 135-pound divisions have had to offer over the past decade, including Linardatou, Maiva Hamadouche and Elhem Mekhaled, who all handed Persoon their first career losses.

Although she is 39 years elderly, she is probably not yet in top form, but she has remained undefeated for the past four years.

“I think a lot of people might not see this fight, but I have a great opponent in front of me and I love this fight,” Baumgardner said. “It’s not like I came back and just picked Joe Schmoe off the street to fight. I have someone in front of me who’s going to come fight. And when I win, I’m going to show that I can do what Katie Taylor couldn’t do with Delfine.”

Baumgardner will be trying to do that in the transition phase on several fronts. She has a novel training team, as Tony Harrison has left, and Ramon Carlos Matthews is now the main voice in the gym and in her corner. Additionally, this is “The Bomb’s” final fight under her Matchroom contract, and she has launched her own promotional company, Baumgardner Promotions, before becoming a free agent.

“I think it’s essential for a female athlete to understand the business side of boxing,” she explained. “When I started, I knew I wanted to be my own boss eventually. With Baumgardner Promotions, it’s a lot of extra work, but I’m willing to do it. I don’t know everything. I learn as I go. But it’s so essential for athletes to understand the business and be able to negotiate for themselves.”

The launch of Baumgardner Promotions isn’t the only way she’s trying something novel. The entire card, an all-women event taking place on the Lux Stage at Trilith Studios in Atlanta, is full of experimentation. It’s being billed as the first fight card in an “immersive world environment,” taking place on an LED stage where graphic designers build a virtual backdrop.

It’s also being aired/streamed for free on Brinx.TV and Fubo Sports, both of which are taking boxing on for the first time. Spokesperson Josh Weissman connected Global Combat Collective (who won the $500,000 mandatory fight) to Brinx.TV, while Global Combat Collective CEO Nelson Lopez Jr. had connections to Fubo and they decided to strike deals with both operators.

For Baumgardner it was especially essential to make the fight free.

“When it comes to boxing, all eyes are good,” she said.

Interestingly, Baumgardner isn’t a substantial fan of the event’s promotional slogan: “Hit like a girl, fight like a champion.” She’s not a fan of using the word “girl” when all the fighters on the card are adult women, and she’d like to see the focus put on the quality of the fights, not the gender of the fighters.

“Look, I understand why they operate that phrase,” she said. “But to me it’s kind of a cliché. And I want it to be like that, when we talk about sports, we just talk about I want to change the concept of constantly considering that it is boxing. And these aren’t juvenile girls on the card. We’re all women, adults, fighting on the card. So I don’t mind saying that, but I have to be truthful: I don’t like it.”

Let’s focus on the second part of the slogan. Let’s assume Baumgardner fights like a champion. Let’s assume she defeats Persoon. What happens to her?

I’m going to win this fight,” she said, emphasizing that it’s not an “if” situation, “and that allows me to pole vault for a superfight that we’ve wanted for a while. I think the Katie Taylor fight makes sense. I want to fight Katie, I want to fight Amanda [Serrano]. People want to see that. I want to see that. I want to know where I am in my career and what my skills are. These are superfights. We want superfights. We want substantial fights. I’m undisputed at 130, and moving up is no problem.”

Taylor and Serrano are scheduled to meet in a rematch on November 15 on Netflix for the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight. So if Baumgardner wins on September 27 — sorry, wins on September 27th — don’t be surprised if you see her in Arlington, Texas a month and a half later, announcing the winner in person.

Until then, she’ll likely take out most of her pent-up frustration on Persoon. But Baumgardner is one of those players who always seems to have something in store for whoever comes next.

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George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team

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George Kambosos beats Teofimo

Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.

Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.

The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.

Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.

The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.

“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.

“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.

“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”

Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.

“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].

Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.

“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.

Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.

“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.

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Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul

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Mike Tyson comeback black

One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.

WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.

Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.

“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.

“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.

“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.

He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”

Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.

Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.

Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.

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Lauren Price looks to win Jonas vs Habazin with an undercard victory

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Lauren Price

Lauren Price MBE will defend her world title for the first time on Saturday, December 14 at the Exhibition Center in Liverpool, while the Welsh champion plans to stage an all-British unification clash with welterweight rival Natasha Jonas, which will headline the Collision Course that night.

Price defends her WBA welterweight title against undefeated Colombian challenger Bexcy Mateus on the same night as Jonas attempts to unify the IBF and WBC titles with Ivana Habazin as part of BOXXER’s ‘Collision Course’ fight night, which can be seen live and exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK UK and Ireland and Peacock in the US.

Price MBE (7-0, 1 KO) made history with an excellent performance, defeating former undisputed welterweight world ruler Jessica McCaskill in front of her fans in Cardiff in May.

Price, the first Welsh boxer to win Olympic gold, once again entered the record books by becoming the country’s first world champion in just her seventh professional fight. The 30-year-old from Ystrad Mynach, who has yet to lose a round as a professional, will now defend her world titles for the first time as she focuses on dominating the welterweight division.

Mateus (7-0, 6 KO), ranked No. 5 in the WBA rankings, is undefeated in the professional ranks and has won all but one of her seven fights by knockout. The 29-year-old from Bogota, fighting outside her native Colombia for the first time, will now have her first chance at global fame, with her goal to dethrone Price and take the top spot in the welterweight division.

Lauren Price said: “I’m excited to defend my belts and complete what has been an crucial year for me. I have full respect for Mateusz. I will prove that I am the best in the division and I will not let anything or anyone stand in my way of being undisputed.”

BOXXER Founder and CEO Ben Shalom said: “It’s a massive night for the women’s welterweight division with three world champions competing. Natasha Jonas returns to her hometown for a mandatory unification fight against Ivana Habazin, and Lauren Price defends her world titles against undefeated challenger Bexcy Mateus. The fight for the undisputed continues. If Natasha and Lauren win on December 14, it will set the stage for a massive “Battle Of Britain” world title unification fight next year.

There’s reason to celebrate as BOXXER delivers a Christmas cracker to end the year. In addition to the world championship fights between Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price, fight fans can expect a gala full of drama and entertainment.

Undefeated Irishman Stephen McKenna (15-0, 14 KO) will face English champion Lee Cutler (14-1, 7 KO) in an invigorating super welterweight fight for the silver WBC International title.

McKenna impressed fans in his three-round fight against Joe Laws last August at Oakwell Stadium in Barnsley. The two struck out in the first round, then McKenna began to apply the pressure, losing Laws three more times and maintaining his undefeated record after a third-round stoppage.

English cruiserweight champion Viddal Riley (11-0, 6 KO) returns to action from a rib injury that has kept him out of the ring since a career-best victory over Mikael Lawal in March. Riley will be looking to shake off the ring rust as he takes on high-profile opponents in the recent year.

Undefeated Chorley super middleweight Mark Jeffers (18-0, 5 KO) scored an explosive fifth-round knockout victory over Darren Johnston in May and will be looking to bring more drama to Liverpool’s Exhibition Center as he goes in search of his 19th professional win.

Mason Cartwright (20-4-1, 8 KO) from Cheshire, a former two-time British title challenger from Ellesmere Port, will be counting on local support as he returns to the title track.

After signing a promotional contract with BOXXER, local star Frankie Stringer (8-0, 1 KO) can achieve his third victory in 2024, when he returns in front of his fans in Liverpool. The 23-year-old lightweight fighter is a player of the notable city team Rotunda ABC, and his manager is former world champion Liam Smith.

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