Boxing
MVPW-02 Preview: Baumgardner Defends Titles Against Shin on ESPN
Published
6 months agoon
Most Valuable Promotions will bring its women’s boxing platform to U.S. television for the first time on Friday night when MVPW-02 airs live on ESPN from the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden. Unified junior lightweight champion Alycia Baumgardner (17-1, 7 KO) will headline the women’s bout, defending her WBA, WBO and IBF 130-pound titles against South Korean Bo Mi Re Shin (19-3-3, 10 KO) in a 12-round, three-minute fight.
The event comes on the heels of the successful MVPW-01 gala in London, where Caroline Dubois unified her two lightweight belts, Ellie Scotney became the youngest undisputed champion in British history and Chantelle Cameron won the title in her third weight class. This event immediately added credibility to MVP’s modern partnership with ESPN. Friday’s card will test whether it can generate the same energy on this side of the Atlantic.
Baumgardner vs. Shin: Main Event
Baumgardner, 31, maintains the undisputed 130-pound weight class, although she vacated the WBC belt due to the organization’s reluctance to sanction fights in three-minute rounds. She enters Friday’s fight as the unified three-belt champion with the momentum of her last two appearances under the MVP banner, both of which came in main event wins on Netflix cards headlined by Jake Paul. In July, she outpointed Jennifer Miranda on the Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano III card, and in December, she defeated Leila Beaudoin by unanimous decision in 12 rounds, three-minute rounds on the Joshua vs. Paul card.
Neither fight was considered a breakthrough moment. Baumgardner clearly won on both counts, but he never made an explosive statement that turned casual viewers into fans. Friday marks her first chance to appear on major American television since she became the undisputed star at Madison Square Garden in 2023, and the stage couldn’t be more appropriate. ESPN analysts clearly articulated this question: Can Baumgardner become the face of women’s boxing? This card was designed to give her that chance.
Shin is not here to ensure a cushioned landing. The 30-year-old from South Korea turned professional in 2016 and established a record of 10 knockouts and high-level experience against top competition. Her two most notable losses came against elite opposition: Caroline Dubois, who defeated her by majority decision in March 2025 in a fight that was much more competitive than the result suggested, and Delfine Persoon, who defeated her by split decision. Shin is ranked in the top seven of the WBA, IBF and WBO rankings and she took this fight knowing where she was at and what it could mean for her career.
Baumgardner’s advantages are obvious. He is a sharper technician, has better jabs, more refined combinations and the ability to control distance with his footwork. She also showed legitimate knockout power, most memorably in her 2021 stoppage of Terri Harper, which changed the trajectory of women’s 130-pound boxing. The three-minute rounds should work to her advantage, giving her more time to prepare her attack and defeat opponents who try to outdo her.
Shin’s path to victory is through volume and pressure. In her match against Dubois, she showed that she was willing to walk through fire to make her own shots, and also possessed the stamina that could make any fight uncomfortable for a more technically gifted opponent. If she can pick up the pace and turn the war into a war of attrition, the fight may be closer than many expect.
Green vs. Daniels: Joint main event
The unified IBF and WBO super middleweight champion Shadasia Green (16-1, 11 KO) puts both belts on the line against Lani Daniels (11-4-2, 1 KO) in a 10-round fight. Green gained unified status last July with a split decision over Savannah Marshall at Taylor vs. Serrano III. The fight confirmed her status among the best at 168 pounds, but it also raised questions about her ability to dominate at that level.
Daniels, a 37-year-old Up-to-date Zealander and former airy heavyweight champion, is ranked No. 2 and No. 5 by the WBO in the IBF super middleweight rankings. She has a four-fight losing record, but she’s fought legal opponents throughout her career, and she’s the type of tough, experienced fighter who can make anyone feel uncomfortable. Green’s strength should make a difference, but she will need to be sharper than she was against Marshall to make a convincing impact on this defense.
The real stakes for Green go beyond Friday. The dominant win sets the stage for a potential superfight with Claressa Shields, a fight in which MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian has publicly expressed interest. Green was equally direct in saying he wanted the fight. Anything other than a determined performance can push that timeline back.
Main card: Rosado vs. Reyes and Dove vs. Micheo
The ESPN main card, which begins at 10 p.m. EST, features four fights. Puerto Rican bantamweight Krystal Rosado (8-1, 2 KO) opens the main broadcast against undefeated Mexican Fernanda Reyes (8-0) in an eight-round fight at 118 pounds. Rosado, a 23-year-old protégé of Amanda Serrano, has continued to develop MVP potential since her professional debut in 2023 and displays a fan-friendly, aggressive style that defies her age. Reyes is undefeated and wants to appear on the most vital card of her career. The Puerto Rico vs. Mexico lively adds a layer of intrigue to what should be a competitive matchup.
In the flyweight division, Natalie Dove (7-0-1, 2 KO) won moved to the main card after the originally planned middleweight fight between Tamm Thibeault and Nadja Jesus was canceled due to visa problems for the Brazilian fighter. Dove will face Maria Micheo (14-6, 8 KO) in an eight-round 112-pound fight. Micheo is a two-time world title challenger who has shared the ring with Yokasta Valle and Gabriela Fundora, among others, and brings a level of experience that should significantly challenge Dove’s undefeated record.
Subtab
The ESPN+ prelims, broadcast from 6:30 p.m. ET, feature several fights worth monitoring. American Olympian and 2021 amateur world champion Jahmal Harvey (2-0, 1 KO) will face Daniel Lugo in a six-round lightweight fight. Harvey, from Oxon Hill, Maryland, was a quarterfinalist in the 2024 Paris Soccer Tournament and a 10-time national champion as an amateur before turning professional in December in the Joshua vs. Paul match. He is one of the adolescent MVP candidates and one of the most recognized American amateurs who have entered the professional rankings in recent years.
Undefeated junior welterweight Alex Vargas (14-0, 5 KO) of Bellport, Up-to-date York will face undefeated Ryan O’Rourke (13-0, 3 KO) in an eight-round fight that represents a legitimate step up for both fighters. Dunkirk super bantamweight Elon De Jesus (11-1-2, 8 KO) will face Englishman Connor Adaway (10-2-1, 4 KO) in eight rounds at 122 pounds. Raquel Miller (13-0, 6 KO), former WBA interim super welterweight champion, ranked No. 2 in the WBC rankings at 168 pounds, makes her promotional MVP debut against Brazilian Adriana Araujo (6-3, 1 KO) in a six-round super middleweight bout. Albanian heavyweight Luis Gjolena (6-0-1) closes the card in a four-round fight against Robert Salinas.
MVP built its MVPW cards around an all-female main card, supported by male attacks on the bottom card, which is a deliberate reversal of the classic model. Whether this format can maintain viewership and build a dedicated audience beyond the existing women’s boxing fan base is one of the main questions the platform will need to answer over the next year. Friday’s gala, broadcast live from the most celebrated boxing arena, is a test like any other.
You may like
Boxing
Derek Chisora Slams Dana White Regarding Fighter Treatment Issues
Published
3 hours agoon
September 30, 2026
Derek Chisora accused Dana White of operating like a “slave owner,” but Conor Benn’s lucrative move to Zuffa Boxing offers a substantial counterpoint to the heavyweight’s attack.
Chisora’s complaint centered on White turning fighters away from his platform. That hardly explains the comparison, especially with Benn reportedly collecting $15 million for his first Zuffa appearance alone.
“Dana White is not my cup of tea, to be honest with you,” Chisora said in an interview with Fight Hub TV following the Tyson Fury–Anthony Joshua press conference. “Because the way he operates is just, he operates like a slave owner, man. You know, fighters want to fight on his platform. He tells them, ‘You’re not good enough for me, so go away.’ What is a fighter going to do? What is he going to do after that? That’s not right.”
Benn’s experience makes that accusation difficult to defend. His reported $15 million purse for facing Regis Prograis was followed by a world-title opportunity against Ryan Garcia. White’s platform has delivered both substantial money and a major fight for the British welterweight.
One boxer’s earnings cannot answer every question about a promoter’s treatment of fighters. But Chisora supplied no named example to support his accusation. Benn gives readers something concrete to weigh against it.
Chisora also argued that a fighter who performs poorly one night can improve the next time. Fair enough. Promoters still have to decide whom to sign, how many places they can offer, and which fights they want to stage. Wanting a contract does not create an entitlement to one.
His example concerns access to White’s platform, rather than restrictions imposed on someone already fighting there. Those are different issues, and Chisora never explained how rejection justified his language.
Asked about the dispute between Eddie Hearn and White, Chisora made his personal dislike clear. What he failed to provide was an argument strong enough to carry such a loaded accusation.

About the author
Boxing 24/7 Wire
Boxing247.com is an independent boxing news publication covering the sport since 2001. It provides original reporting, fight analysis, schedules, results, and informed coverage of major fighters and events worldwide, backed by more than 25 years of professional boxing journalism.
Boxing
Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury: Live London Press Conference Showdown
Published
12 hours agoon
September 30, 2026
The long-awaited, all-British heavyweight blockbuster between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is officially set for December 11 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Backed by Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh, the defining clash will see both men pocket a career-high purse and settle the debate – to a degree – of this generation’s best UK heavyweight.
After more than a decade of false starts and fractured negotiations, the two former heavyweight champions will finally settle their rivalry in what promises to be the biggest commercial event in British boxing history. Broadcast rights have been secured by Netflix for a global audience and Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao may appear on the undercard, despite turning 49 one week after the event.
Crucially, Joshua’s camp held firm during negotiations to ensure the bout remained on domestic soil. Despite the potential for more lucrative offers overseas, ‘AJ’ refused to budge on the location, and the pair meet today in London to make it official.
Fans can watch live via the stream below, with the proceedings expected to kick off at 6 PM – though delays and gamesmanship may be a factor.
Boxing
Filip Hrgovic Criticizes WBA for Allowing Fury vs. Joshua Title Fight
Published
15 hours agoon
September 30, 2026
Filip Hrgovic questions how Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have earned a fight for the WBA “Super” heavyweight title, arguing that attaching the belt to their matchup damages boxing’s credibility.
The fight already has two recognizable names and a rivalry that can sell without a championship. Adding a world title invites a different question: what have either man’s recent performances done to justify that reward?
“They are both big superstars, but how are they fighting for a title?” Hrgovic told The Stomping Ground when asked about the proposed WBA title stakes. “Where did that come from? … These kinds of decisions, it’s killing the sport. It’s not good for the sport. And because of these funny decisions, people don’t consider boxing a serious sport.”
Fury and Joshua already have the recognition to sell their fight. Their rivalry is the attraction. Adding the WBA’s highest heavyweight title gives the event a sporting endorsement that requires more explanation than either man’s name can provide.
Gassiev’s position makes that harder to justify. With him holding the regular championship, the proposed title stakes would allow Fury and Joshua to fight for superior recognition within the same organization without going through its existing titleholder. What, then, is Gassiev’s belt supposed to mean?
That is the weakness of the WBA’s multiple-title structure. A fighter can hold its championship and still watch a more commercially attractive pairing receive the bigger prize. The distinction becomes difficult to defend if the organization cannot explain the sporting criteria behind it.
There is also a financial question worth asking. Sanctioning a major event can benefit the organization collecting the fees. That makes a clear explanation of eligibility especially necessary: what qualifies Fury and Joshua for this opportunity, and how does Gassiev fit into the decision?
Hrgovic has his own interests. He wants recognition as the division’s best champion and would benefit from undermining rival claims. But his objection still demands an answer.
Fans can enjoy Fury-Joshua as a major occasion without treating it as the fight that establishes heavyweight supremacy. The WBA risks blurring that distinction by attaching its highest title to a matchup whose appeal is already secure.
The rivalry gives the promotion something valuable to sell. The championship should represent something the fighters have earned.

About the author
Boxing 24/7 Wire
Boxing247.com is an independent boxing news publication covering the sport since 2001. It provides original reporting, fight analysis, schedules, results, and informed coverage of major fighters and events worldwide, backed by more than 25 years of professional boxing journalism.
Khamzat Chimaev, Colby Covington finally set to settle long-running feud
Derek Chisora Slams Dana White Regarding Fighter Treatment Issues
Jiri Prochazka vs. unbeaten Navajo Stirling headlines UFC Qatar
Trending
-
Boxing1 day agoJose Benavidez Sr Declares Unbeatable Welterweight Champion in Boxing News
-
Boxing2 days agoMike Tyson vs. Larry Holmes: The Underrated Crown Jewel of Boxing History
-
MMA2 days agoValter Walker says Josh Hokit won’t call him out for one reason
-
MMA2 days agoPaul Felder: ‘I thought he had a heart attack’ at UFC Vegas 121
-
Boxing1 day agoAnthony Joshua Teams Up with Top Trainer for Anticipated Tyson Fury Showdown
-
MMA2 days agoChris Curtis claims the UFC isn’t giving him Luis Hernandez matchup
-
Boxing2 days agoArturo Torres Collapses After Fatal TKO: Shocking Video Highlights Tragic Boxing Incident
-
MMA2 days agoRaoni Barcelos says he’s ‘really fine’ following frightening UFC stoppage


