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ESPN women’s boxing MVP: Can Baumgardner become a star?

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The women’s boxing schedule is filled with several intriguing title fights, including Alycia Baumgardner vs. Bo Mi Re Shin and the rematch between Stephanie Han and Holly Holm. Both fights are covered by Most Valuable Promotions, which on Friday announced the signing of a multi-year television contract with ESPN.

Baumgardner looks like one of the future faces of women’s boxing and if she wins, she will have plenty of options at 130 and 135 pounds. One possibility is a rematch with Terri Harper, whom Baumgardner stopped with one of the most impressive knockouts of 2021. Harper, however, has a grave challenge ahead of her when she faces Caroline Dubois in a lightweight unification bout in London on April 5, with the winner likely to emerge as the fighter to beat at 135 pounds.

Meanwhile, Chantelle Cameron – the only player to beat Katie Taylor as a professional – is looking for a trilogy with the Irish star. But first, she will move up two divisions to face Michaela Kotaskova for the vacant junior middleweight title on the Dubois-Harper card. Will Cameron be able to win and then return to his natural weight against Taylor in a winner-takes-all fight?

There are also other matchups where the stakes are significant.

Han and Holm’s first meeting ended in a disappointing technical decision victory for Han after she suffered a cut to her right eye from an accidental headbutt. Holm, a Hall of Famer, could be looking at the end of her career if she loses the rematch.

Unified super middleweight champion Shadasia Green appears on course for a potential megafight with ESPN’s top pound-for-pound fighter Claressa Shields, but first she must defeat Lani Daniels.

Andreas Hale and Nick Parkinson discuss these matchups and share their thoughts on the stakes.


Can Alycia Baumgardner become the face of women’s boxing MVP?

Yes. Baumgardner has charisma, youth and the ability to carry the MVP of women’s boxing on her back. She has already demonstrated excellent knockout power by defeating Terri Harper in 2021, as well as an ever-evolving skill set that resulted in an impressive victory over Mikaela Mayer in 2022 and the unification of three junior lightweight world titles, and a personality that will make you either love her or hate her. And while he already has undisputed status at 130 pounds, now all that’s left is to put it all together when the spotlight is at its brightest.

Baumgardner received prime real estate in her first two fights under the MVP banner and also had co-main event spots on the Katie Taylor-Amanda Serrano 3 and Jake Paul-Anthony Joshua fight cards. Although she won these two fights by significant margins – against Jennifer Miranda and Leila Beaudoin – neither fight was considered a breakthrough. Baumgardner, the No. 7 pound-for-pound women’s boxer on ESPN, will have the opportunity to impress as a headliner on April 17 against Bo Mi Re Shin in defense of her WBO, IBF and WBA junior lightweight titles at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in Fresh York.

Her opponent was not chosen by chance, as Shin gave WBC lightweight champion and Baumgardner’s rival Caroline Dubois all she could handle in March 2025, losing by majority decision. MVP will give Baumgardner every opportunity to excel and become a superstar; she’ll just have to seize the moment.


Will the winner of Caroline Dubois vs. Should Terri Harper unify the division or wait for Alycia Baumgardner to move up?

While being undisputed brings prestige and is a huge achievement, a fight against Baumgardner, who reigns supreme in the junior lightweight division, will likely be more lucrative for the winner of the Dubois vs. Harper, which will take place on April 5 in London.

Dubois, the WBC lightweight champion, will face English rival Harper, the WBO titleholder, in the biggest fight of her career to date. And the fight against Baumgardner will be bigger than the fights against any other lightweight champion – IBF champion Elif Nur Turhan, who is a hazardous puncher, and the much taller Stephanie Han, the WBA champion). Harper is more experienced than Dubois and has already been in huge fights against Baumgardner, Cecilia Braekhus, Natasha Jonas and Sandy Ryan. However, Harper may also choose a rematch with Baumgardner – who stopped her in four rounds in November 2021 – over unifying the belts. Harper lost her WBC junior lightweight belt when she was stunned by Baumgardner in one of the best KOs of the year and may operate the opportunity to seek revenge for winning another belt.

Baumgardner would have to move up from junior lightweight, where she holds three belts, to face Dubois or Harper.


Is the Shadasia Green vs. Claressa Shields fight currently the most essential fight in women’s boxing?

Yes, but due to a unique set of circumstances. There are plenty of huge fights to be had in women’s boxing. Katie Taylor’s swan song will be highly anticipated, as will the fight between Shields and welterweight champion and fellow pound-for-pound fighter Mikaela Mayer. But what makes the fight between Shields and Green stand out is the promotional machine behind it. MVP and the platform it offers, which includes a broadcast on both ESPN and Netflix, would push the Shields-Green fight to the moon in terms of coverage. Despite everything Shields has accomplished, she has yet to compete on a stage as huge as the one MVP has to offer, and teaming up with Jake Paul would expand her reach.

Green also serves as Shields’ opposite, with her raw power compensating for any shortcomings in her natural boxing abilities. Although she dropped a decision to Franchon Crews Dezurn, whom Shields defeated twice, Green’s impressive comeback against Savannah Marshall in July 2025 proved that she is still developing as a fighter and has not yet reached her peak. Add to that the fact that there would be a pointless conversation going on between these two women and you have everything you need to make this the biggest fight in women’s boxing today.

Green will first be tasked with knocking out former lightweight heavyweight champion Lani Daniels on April 17. If she succeeds, we can expect her to throw down the gauntlet before the fight with Shields. It will be up to Shields and her promoter, Salita Promotions, to decide what direction the undisputed women’s heavyweight champion will take next.


Where does the win place Ellie Scotney on the ESPN women’s P4P list?

Scotney, 27, could become the youngest undisputed champion in British history – male or female – if she defeats WBA junior featherweight champion Mayella Flores on April 5 in her hometown of London and unifies all four major belts. Scotney, the WBC, IBF and WBO champion, has two good wins in 2025 – against Yamileth Mercado and Mea Motu – which led me to vote her to No. 10 in my opinion pound-for-pound rankings, and a win over Flores should aid her crack the top ten.


How long does Holly Holm have left and what would a victory for Stephanie Han mean?

Holm ended a 12-year hiatus from boxing to sign with MVP in May 2025. A 2022 inductee into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, the former UFC women’s bantamweight champion knocked off the rust with a unanimous decision against Yolanda Vega. However, in her next fight, Holm was losing on the scorecards 65-69, 65-68 and 64-69 to Han, before Han suffered a cut from an unintentional clash of heads, which ended the fight in the seventh round, with Han taking the technical decision victory. They will meet again on May 30 in Han’s hometown of El Paso, Texas.

Holm, 44, will have a significant mountain to climb in the rematch because Han is nine years younger, faster and the undefeated WBA women’s lightweight champion. Facing Han in her second boxing match after competing in MMA was a tough task for the multiple-time boxing world champion, but it was clear that Holm did not want to waste time on training fights. Holm is in the twilight of her combat sports career and this could be seen as a “now or never” moment in realizing her championship aspirations. Will he end his career with a second defeat in a row?

As for Han, another victory over Holm – who is still a prominent figure in combat sports – would be a major step forward in terms of her marketability. Han defeated Holm in the rematch, but as an ESPN headliner she will have a larger audience, including many who have never seen her compete. A final victory would boost her profile, and in a division that includes fellow champions Terri Harper, Caroline Dubois and the hard-hitting Elif Nur Turhan, Han would have some captivating opportunities to unify the titles.


Will victory secure Chantelle Cameron’s trilogy with Katie Taylor?

Cameron is on the shortlist to fight Taylor this summer, but she can’t be sure she’ll secure a trilogy fight with her rival despite their history.

Taylor may be at the top of Cameron’s wish list, but she faces competition in what could be Taylor’s last fight. Taylor recently announced that she wants to make her final fight, preferably this summer at Croke Park Stadium in Dublin.

Cameron, who will face Michaela Kotaskova in London on April 5 for the vacant WBO junior middleweight title, is the only fighter to defeat Taylor in the professional ranks. Cameron defeated Taylor by majority vote in May 2023, before Taylor avenged that loss with a decision victory six months later.

The trilogy fight is likely the biggest possible fight for Taylor, but WBC, IBF and WBA welterweight champion Lauren Price, who will defend her belts against Stephanie Piñeiro on April 4 at the Cardiff International Arena, told ESPN this week that she has been approached to fight Taylor later this year.

Taylor, who holds three versions of the junior welterweight world title and hasn’t fought since a trilogy win over Amanda Serrano in July 2025, could be tempted to face Price, especially if Cameron doesn’t want to drop down to welterweight or junior welterweight.

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Dominique Francis Claims Hes Nearing World Title Contention in Zuffas Competitive Landscape

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Dominique Francis Claims He's Nearing World Title Contention in Zuffa's Competitive Landscape

Unbeaten Dominique Francis believes he is closer to boxing’s elite than many realize as the 16-0 super featherweight contender prepares for his return under the Zuffa Boxing banner.

Francis has stopped 10 opponents during his professional career and will return on July 26 against Hector Andres Sosa at Madison Square Garden Theater in New York on Paramount+.

The Miami native has been out of action since his fourth-round knockout of Julio Carrera Lugo in October 2024, but Francis insists the time away from the ring has not changed his belief or his approach.

Speaking exclusively to World Boxing News on the eve of the fight, Francis explained why he does not fear inactivity, why he believes Zuffa has changed opportunities for fighters, and why he feels the world champions are closer than many expect.

Francis Refuses To Blame The Layoff

Francis does not believe a layoff of that nature automatically affects a fighter’s ability if the work continues behind the scenes.

“It ain’t change my mindset. You seen Floyd Mayweather fight Juan Manuel Márquezhe took 21 months off of boxing,” Francis told WBN.

“At the same time, with me, you know what I’m saying, he was as sharp as he, like sharpest he ever was. I don’t believe in all that. If you working and you inside the gym, you alright.”

Zuffa Gives Fighters More Opportunities

Francis believes joining Zuffa provides a valuable platform for fighters, but he knows his own preparation remains his responsibility.

“It’s very important, but you know, they going they going to handle that. It’s just me to do my job: stay in the gym, stay in shape, stay healthy, you know what I mean, so whenever I get a call, we can make it happen.”

The 16-0 contender is also excited about competing on Paramount+ and believes the boxing landscape is changing.

“Oh man, very I’m very thankful for this opportunity, man. The landscape changed a lot, man, ’cause you know, now you have more fighters that have opportunity now.

“They have places to go, you know what I mean? So the landscape changed a lot, they have places to go, and that’s a great thing for us fighters, man.”

Francis was pleased with his last performance against Lugo but is not looking back as he prepares for the next stage of his career.

“My last performance was good. It was a it was a good performance, but that don’t matter no more, you know what I mean? ‘Cause now it’s about this performance.”

“I’m Closer Than I Even Think”

Francis has clear ambitions for the next 12 months and believes continued improvement will put him in position for bigger opportunities.

“I want to be prosperity, to keep learning, and I want growth, definitely growth, as long as you keep going. So keep prospering and keep learning and keep growing. For sure, for sure.”

When asked about his distance from the world champions, Francis made it clear that he believes he belongs closer to the top than many might expect.

“I’m closer than I even think, and I know that. ‘Cause I be seeing a lot of things that I’ll see on TV with the top guys, whatever like that, but they’re just normal guys, man.

“They just normal guys that put in the hard work. And one thing about me, I’m a guy that put in the hard work, and I have the talent, skills, and ability.”

No Distractions Ahead Of Return

Francis believes his latest training camp has given him the ideal foundation before his return.

“This training camp was beautiful, coaching, um trajectory was very well, no distractions. No distractions at all, great recovery and understanding.”

The 25-year-old now gets the chance to prove his confidence inside the ring, with the unbeaten contender believing the next stage of his career can bring him closer to the biggest names in boxing.

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Kell Brook Evaluates Conor Benns Chances Against Ryan Garcia for World Title Fight

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Kell Brook Evaluates Conor Benn's Chances Against Ryan Garcia for World Title Fight

Former IBF welterweight world champion, Kell Brookhas previously called for a domestic dust-up with Conor Benn. Now, ‘Special K’ has predicted how Benn will fare in his first world title challenge, against WBC titleholder, Ryan Garcia.

Benn and Brook were linked to a bout in May 2023, when the pair were pulled apart in a ringside confrontation in Dublinbut the fight never materialised, partly due to the fact that Benn had relinquished his BBBofC license following his infamous failed drugs test.

Instead, Benn twice fought stateside as a super-welterweight and then twice boxed fierce rival Chris Eubank J as a middleweight, before announcing plans to return to the welterweight division and challenge for world honours.

On his way back down to 147lbs, Benn entered the ring against Regis Prograis earlier this year in a 150lb catchweight contest and underwhelmed, but still he has landed his title shot, with a fight against Garcia now formally confirmed.

Speaking on the Fight Your Corner PodcastKell Brook looked ahead to the fight and admitted that whilst he gives Benn ‘a good chance’, he feels as though the power of Garcia means that a win for the Californian is more likely.

“I give him [Benn] a good chance, but I do lean towards Garcia winning the fight, I do. In his last fight he boxed well but in the fight before, he didn’t box so good. I just think that he will rise to the occasion, they are champions and I think that we are going to see the best of both of ‘em.

“I just think that Garcia has got that get-out-of-jail card. When I boxed Shawn Porter, I went to Vegas to finish some sparring off and I was some sparring with some good kids. I put it onto this kid and had a really good spar, I was punching hard.

“We had something to eat after and I said, who is the biggest puncher you’ve been to, don’t forget I’m a lot older than Garcia, and he said, ‘I have never been hit as hard as by Ryan Garcia,’. That punch power that he has got, that snap [is impressive].”

Garcia-Benn takes place on Saturday, September 12, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with undefeated cruiserweight Jai Opetaia expected to appear on the undercard.

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Tyson Fury Raises Doubts on Potential Anthony Joshua Fight: I Can Never See Him Taking That

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Tyson Fury Raises Doubts on Potential Anthony Joshua Fight: "I Can Never See Him Taking That"

Tyson Fury has raised serious concerns over his proposed showdown with Anthony Joshua.

After over a decade of build-up, Fury and Joshua finally look set to meet later this year, provided that both men can first come through their respective warm-up bouts this weekend.

Fury takes on Mariusz Wach in Thailand on Friday, before Joshua then meets Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia 24 hours laterseemingly paving the way for the all-British showdown at the end of 2026.

‘The Gypsy King’ still doesn’t seem convinced that it will happen though, as he shared his doubts whilst speaking to IFL TV.

“Until that fight happens and we’re walking to the ring, I’m not convinced it does. 100% [I’m doubtful].

I can never see that stiff sitting on a table with me ever. What the f**k is he going to say? I can never see him at a press conference with me, it would be a bombardment. I can never see him taking that.

“He wouldn’t even get in the ring [after the Makhmudov fight]. He s**t himself and sat on a stool outside and didn’t even want to get up and build the fight and make the fight happen when Turki said to us both ‘come on boys let’s do it get in the ring and make it happen.’

“He didn’t want to do it, so how is he going to come face to face with me at a press conference? I think he’s a bottle job, a flapper, a chinless wonder as well.”

Despite Fury’s fears, all signs still point towards the fight taking place later this year, though there still remains a debate over where it will be held.

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