Alycia Baumgardner retained her undisputed super-featherweight championship on Saturday night, overcoming a surprisingly stern test from Jennifer Miranda at Madison Square Garden in New York. The champion secured a unanimous decision victory after ten rounds, adding another defense to her reign.
While the official scorecards read 98-92 (twice) and 97-93, painting a picture of a dominant performance, the action inside the ring told a more nuanced story. Miranda, making her first challenge for a world title, proved to be a significantly tougher opponent than the scores might suggest, competing valiantly throughout the contest.
From the outset, Miranda’s physical presence was evident. The Spaniard possessed a noticeable size and reach advantage, which she attempted to utilize against the reigning champion. The early rounds saw Baumgardner apply pressure, leading to a moment in the second where Miranda was forced to the canvas, although the referee ruled it a slip rather than a knockdown.
As the fight progressed, Miranda adjusted, finding moments to land her own effective punches, particularly the right hand. She managed to engage Baumgardner in competitive exchanges, especially on the inside where her strength became a factor. Rounds became back-and-forth affairs, punctuated by bursts of action that saw both fighters testing the other`s resolve.
Miranda’s performance was marked by resilience and determination, allowing her to stay competitive even in later rounds. Her right hand, often seen as Baumgardner’s signature weapon, seemed to find its mark with surprising effectiveness for the challenger at times, arguably contributing to moments where the champion appeared less sharp than usual.
Despite Miranda`s spirited challenge and moments of success, Baumgardner`s class and championship experience ultimately shone through. She landed the cleaner, more impactful blows consistently enough to sway the judges, albeit with scorecards that perhaps didn`t fully reflect the competitive nature of the bout witnessed by those in attendance.
Following the final bell, Miranda visibly celebrated her effort, perhaps believing she had done enough or at least made a much stronger case than the subsequent scores indicated. For Baumgardner, the victory marked a successful return to the ring after a period of inactivity following a doping inquiry (from which she was ultimately cleared by the WBC). In her post-fight comments, she candidly assessed her performance, stating it was “not my best” and grading herself a “B+”, acknowledging the need for rounds after a layoff.
Ultimately, Alycia Baumgardner retained her undisputed status, securing the win as expected. However, Jennifer Miranda`s performance ensured it was not a routine defense, providing a significant challenge that highlighted both the champion`s ability to win when not at her peak and the depth of talent aspiring to reach the top in the super-featherweight division.
Tristan Blackwood