Alycia Baumgardner to Fight for Undisputed Sans Hyun-Mi Choi!
Alycia “The Bomb” Baumgardner (13-1, 7 KOs) has long stated that she wants to become the undisputed junior lightweight champion. She gets that chance, but it will not be against a belt-carrying Hyun-Mi Choi (20-0-1, 5 KOs).
With the WBA’s ruling to name previous long-reigning WBA champion Choi (20-0-1, 5 KOs) as champion in recess, the sanctioning body is giving Baumgardner the opportunity to fight for the WBA belt in her next outing. In short, the next time The Bomb fights, it will be for undisputed status.
ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH
The ruling of the WBA should be no surprise. Having been the WBA champion since 2014, Choi has received criticism from pundits for her inactivity and lack of quality opposition. Her lasting outing was a unanimous decision victory over Vanessa Bradford in October 2022. Bradford was a D-level opponent, at best.
Baumgardner – Choi was ordered at the recently completed WBA convention in Orlando, Florida. Choi’s representatives argued that their charge was injured and would not be physically ready to fight Baumgardner. After consultation, the sanctioning body was having none of it.
Out of action since a nip-and-tuck win over Mikaela Mayer in October 2022, Baumgardner had long sought a fight with Choi. But previous attempts to make the match failed at the negotiating table.
TIME TO MOVE ON
Word on the street is that Baumgardner will return to action in February 2023. Her possible opponent could be either WBA number-one ranked contender Ramona Gauff or WBA number-two ranked contender and ex-WBC 135 pound champion Delfine Persoon.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
