MIkaela Mayer vs Christina Linardatou Winner Could Get Alycia Baumgardner Again
Mikaela Mayer (17-1, 5 KOs) yearns for another battle with the reigning unified junior lightweight champion Alycia Baumgardner. Step one begins with her anticipated return to the ring. According to the media outlet NoSmokeBoxing, Mayer will face one-time WBO junior welterweight champion Christina “Medusa” Linardatou (14-2, 6 KOs) in a lightweight contest.
To followers of women’s boxing, the rationale for this contest is not hard to figure out.
PART ONE OF A LARGER MOTIVE
First and foremost, Linardatou is an excellent fighter with a solid resume. The two losses of her career came against reigning undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor and ex-WBC lightweight champ Delfine Persoon. More importantly, Linardatou is the only woman to defeat Baumgarder as a pro. In July 2018, she defeated the unified champ by an eight-round split decision. However the question remains, “will Baumgardner vs Mayer II ever happen”?
Baumgardner defeated Mayer by a split decision in October 2022 in what was a junior lightweight unification/grudge match. Immediately afterward, Baumgardner was adamant she would never grant Mayer a rematch. The unified champ has softened her stance and is at least open to facing her again down the road.
RELATED: Baumgardner: “If I Fight Mayer Again, Let’s Show Something Else!”
Mayer figures that a win over the former WBO champ would be a notch on her belt and would move her closer to a second fight with her bitter rival.
Currently the WBO mandatory challenger at junior welterweight, Linardatou is looking to capture a signature win over a high-profile opponent.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
