| R: Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
It appears that Alycia Baumgardner could return to the ring this summer for a unification bout in the super featherweight division. According to Jake Donovan of Boxing Scene, Matchcroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn is working to put together a unification bout featuring Baumgardner and Hyun Mi Choi this summer. The winner would walk away with three titles and conceivably fight Mikaela Mayer for the undisputed super featherweight championship in late 2022 or early 2023.
Baumgardner emerged as one of the sport’s fastest rising stars in November after knocking out former titleholder Terri Harper in the fourth round. Months later, she cruised to a dominant decision victory against Edith Soledad Matthysse at Manchester Arena. Now, she’s looking to defeat Choi and take out Mayer.
“I would definitely like to fight Choi first. I think that would just put on another great show for the fans, and I think everyone wants to have that USA fight, so Mikaela’s last on the list to fight. But I definitely want to have Choi next,” Baumgardner said in November, according to Boxing Scene.
Mayer is equally motivated to clear out the super featherweight division, but she has become frustrated with the business dealing and slow pace at which deals are made in the sport.
“I obviously want to fight Choi or Baumgardner after this. I don’t want to stay at 130 much longer,” Mayer said earlier this month.
“I’ve been here a long time. It’s not really a natural weight for me to fight at anymore. There are also big fights for me at 135 and 140 also. I want to challenge myself at those weights. I also want to finish what I started. It’s just not happening fast enough.”
