Alycia Baumgardner kept her unified junior lightweight titles with a unanimous decision over Bo Mi Re Shin, the judges scoring it 98-92, 98-92 and 99-91. The victory moves Baumgardner to 18-1; she controlled much of the fight as the clear favorite, though Shin rallied in rounds six and seven and had moments of success. The result also extended Baumgardner’s knockout drought to five years.
After the fight Baumgardner reflected on the challenge of the longer rounds, saying, “three minutes, 10 rounds, on my period, baby stop playing with me,” and noting she is still adjusting and learning. She immediately called for bigger names next, singling out Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano: “Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano, what’s up.” She dismissed interest from Briton Caroline Dubois with a derisive comparison, calling herself “a piranha” and Dubois “a guppy.”
Talks are reportedly underway about Katie Taylor’s farewell fight, with Taylor hoping for a Croke Park send-off, so a showdown could be possible if negotiations progress.
Also on the card, Lani Daniels produced the night’s biggest shock by stopping Shadasia Green in the ninth round. Green had landed heavy shots through the first eight rounds and appeared on course for victory, but she faded late. Daniels opened the ninth with a burst of offense that prompted referee Eric Dalo to halt the contest at 0:32, giving Daniels a TKO. Daniels is now the IBF, WBO and The Ring super-middleweight champion and becomes a three-division world champion.
Green was stretchered from the ring and taken to hospital for tests after struggling to stand; Daniels expressed concern for her opponent and thanked her backers in a post-fight interview.