Alycia Baumgardner Looks To Get Her Revenge Against Christina Linardatou
Alycia “The Bomb” Baumgardner will defend her undisputed World Super Featherweight title against Christina “Madusa” Linardatou at The Masonic Temple Detroit in Detroit, Michigan on Saturday July 15, live worldwide on DAZN.
ALYCIA BAUMGARDNER (14-1 7 KOs)
Baumgardner puts all the belts at 130lbs on the line for the second time after a dominant performance over Elhem Mekhaled in New York in February, a first defense in the Big Apple coming after a massive win to claim all the belts in London against fierce rival Mikaela Mayer in October. The big nights just keep coming for ‘The Bomb’ and now it’s home time as she fights in Detroit for the first time in the paid ranks – and has a score to settle against Linardatou, who handed Baumgardner her sole defeat in July 2018.
CHRISTINA LINARDATOU (14-2 6 KOs)
Linardatou is aiming to become a three-time World ruler and break Baumgardner’s heart once again, five years after a split decision win over eight rounds in Louisville. That win for the Greek preceded her claiming her first World title at Super-Lightweight against Kandi Wyatt in March 2019, having previously challenged Delfine Persoon for the World Lightweight title in June 2016. The 35 year old defended the crown against Deanha Hobbs in June 2019 in Athens, before Katie Taylor took the title in Manchester, England in November 2019. Linardatou reclaimed the vacant title three months later against Prisca Vicot in Indiana and returned to action in July with a six round win in Greece.
“It was a blessing to be able to fight overseas in front of an international audience to unify titles; and then to finally become undisputed in my home country at MSG, was so amazing! But to come back home to the Midwest, where I grew up, where I learned how to work, where my life was shaped, where my faith was forged, and then to headline in my adopted home of Detroit for my first undisputed title defense; I am truly realizing a dream come true.
“In one of the world’s most storied cities for boxing, I get to put on show and show out in front of the people who’ve supported me and know me best. I get to thank the region that helped make me who I am. I get to show the world that a little girl from Fremont, came back home as the Undisputed Champion of the World, and let all those other midwestern little girls like me know that they can reach any dream they can imagine.”
Alycia Baumgardner – Undisputed Junior Lightweight Champion
“I think it’s going to be a great fight with me and Alycia. It’s going to be much better than the first one. She has shown signs of improvement, but I have a new purpose to fight for – my son.
“As much as she improved with her skills, her ego and head has grown with it. She does a lot of things for social media and to get attention. I’m doing this for the legacy of my son. See you July 15, chump – I mean champ.”
Christina Linardatou – Former WBO Junior Welterweight Champion
“What a night this is going to be. I am so thrilled for Alycia. It’s poetic that we have announced this card just before Katie Taylor finally gets her homecoming in Dublin tonight, as great champions deserve to fight in front of their hometown fans and that’s exactly what Alycia gets on July 15 – with the added spice of being able to right the only loss on her record, I’ve no doubt ‘The Bomb’ is going to produce something special in Detroit.”
Eddie Hearn – Matchroom Boxing Chairman