Baumgardner Retains Titles in Commanding Fashion as Daniels Delivers Shocking Upset
In a thrilling night of women's boxing at the Theater at Madison Square Garden, Alycia Baumgardner showcased her championship pedigree while Lani Daniels authored a stunning upset that overshadowed the main event. The card, promoted by Most Valuable Promotions Women, delivered high drama from start to finish.
Baumgardner's Technical Masterclass
Alycia Baumgardner successfully defended her WBO, IBF, and WBA junior lightweight titles with a dominant unanimous decision victory over South Korea's Bo Mi Re Shin. Fighting under men's championship rules with ten three-minute rounds, the 31-year-old champion from Ohio demonstrated why she's considered one of boxing's brightest stars.
Baumgardner controlled the action from the opening bell, establishing her jab early and landing crisp combinations that consistently beat Shin to the punch. Through the first five rounds, she delivered what amounted to a boxing clinic, varying her attack and displaying impeccable timing and accuracy.
The champion faced her first real test in the sixth round when Shin's persistent pressure began to pay dividends. The challenger crowded Baumgardner and found success in close quarters, briefly swinging momentum in her favor. The seventh round saw Shin's urgency increase as she forced Baumgardner into uncomfortable exchanges, making the fight competitive for the first time.
But Baumgardner responded like a true champion, reasserting control with superior footwork and a disciplined jab. She created angles, made Shin miss, and regained command of the pace. By the final rounds, she was landing clean counters as Shin continued to press forward, absorbing significant punishment.
The judges scored the bout 98-92, 98-92, and 99-91 in Baumgardner's favor, reflecting her clear dominance throughout most of the contest. After the fight, Baumgardner made headlines with her candid assessment of competing under three-minute rounds while on her period, highlighting the physical demands of women's boxing at the highest level.
Daniels' Shocking Victory and Green's Scary Moment
The co-main event produced the night's most dramatic moment when New Zealand's Lani Daniels, a 4-1 underdog, scored a shocking ninth-round technical knockout of unified super-middleweight champion Shadasia Green. The victory quickly turned concerning when Green had to be stretchered from the ring apparently unconscious and transported to a nearby hospital.
Daniels, nicknamed the Smiling Assassin, entered the fight coming off back-to-back losses but showed tremendous heart and skill to upset the heavily favored Green. The 37-year-old from Whangārei added a world title in her third different weight class, having previously held championships at light-heavyweight and heavyweight.
Mike Leanardi, Most Valuable Promotions' head of boxing, provided reassurance after the main event, reporting that Green was "awake and talking" at the hospital. This followed earlier reports that she was conscious, speaking, and moving normally.
Daniels expressed mixed emotions in her post-fight interview, saying, "I hope she's alright. I'm happy but also concerned for her. I'm happy for this and I'm happy to become a world champion once again."
Future Prospects and Industry Implications
Baumgardner used her victory platform to call for bigger fights and better paydays in women's boxing. She specifically mentioned interest in facing either Katie Taylor or Amanda Serrano next, suggesting a potential matchup with Serrano at Madison Square Garden if a fight with Taylor cannot be made.
The champion emphasized her commitment to fighting under three-minute rounds, stating that she won't consider opponents unwilling to compete under those conditions. "If fighters aren't willing to go three minutes, we can't even have a conversation," Baumgardner declared. "I'm doing a different level of work. I deserve the biggest fights and the biggest paydays."
The event marked the first U.S. card staged by Most Valuable Promotions Women, the women's boxing platform launched by boxer-influencer Jake Paul. The successful showcase demonstrated the growing popularity and competitive depth of women's professional boxing, featuring both established champions and surprising newcomers making their mark on the sport.
With Baumgardner continuing her reign and Daniels creating a new championship storyline, the night at Madison Square Garden proved that women's boxing remains one of combat sports' most compelling and unpredictable divisions.
