Alycia Baumgardner vs. Jennifer Miranda: A Super Featherweight Showdown at Madison Square Garden

On July 11, 2025, Madison Square Garden in New York City hosted a historic night for women’s boxing, headlined by the trilogy bout between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano. The co-main event, however, stole significant spotlight as Alycia “The Bomb” Baumgardner (16-1, 7 KOs) defended her undisputed super featherweight titles (WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO, and The Ring) against Spain’s undefeated challenger Jennifer Miranda (12-1, 1 KO). Broadcast live on Netflix as part of the first-ever all-women’s professional boxing card at MSG, the 10-round clash was a high-stakes battle that showcased Baumgardner’s dominance and Miranda’s resilience.

The Fighters

Alycia Baumgardner, a 31-year-old from Fremont, Ohio, entered as the undisputed super featherweight champion, having unified the division in 2023 with a unanimous decision over Elhem Mekhaled. Known for her explosive power, fast hands, and aggressive style, Baumgardner had a record of 15-1 with 7 knockouts, her only loss coming in 2018 to Christina Linardatou. Her career highlights include a 2021 knockout of Terri Harper and a 2022 upset over Mikaela Mayer, cementing her as a fan favorite. Despite a 10-month suspension in 2023 due to a controversial drug test (later cleared by the WBC), Baumgardner returned with a no-contest against Delfine Persoon in September 2024, halted by an accidental head clash. Training under new coach Derrick James, she aimed to reassert her dominance.

Jennifer Miranda, a 38-year-old southpaw from Madrid, Spain, brought an unblemished 12-0 record with just one knockout. The WBA interim featherweight champion, ranked No. 3 by BoxRec, was stepping up to super featherweight (130 lbs) for her first fight outside Spain. A late starter in boxing at age 23, Miranda’s amateur pedigree and technical skills made her a formidable underdog, though her low knockout percentage (8%) contrasted sharply with Baumgardner’s 47%. Miranda saw the fight as her chance to become Spain’s first undisputed champion, hyping her ambition to “write my name in the history books” at the pre-fight press conference.

The Stakes

The bout was a pivotal moment for both fighters. For Baumgardner, a convincing win would solidify her reign and position her for a potential blockbuster against the Taylor-Serrano winner or a move to lightweight (135 lbs). For Miranda, an upset would mark a historic achievement, dethroning one of women’s boxing’s biggest stars. Promoted by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Matchroom Boxing, the fight was part of a landmark all-female card, with Netflix’s global reach—drawing 4.2 million U.S. viewers for the main event—amplifying its exposure. The event’s 17 title belts across the card set a record, underscoring its significance.

The buildup was intense, with Baumgardner exuding confidence, stating, “I came to MVP for moments like this—high stakes, global stage… My belts are staying with me.” Miranda countered with defiance, promising to seize her moment. Odds heavily favored Baumgardner at -2500, with Miranda a +1100 underdog, reflecting the perceived gap in experience and power. X posts buzzed with anticipation, with @BOXINGnBBQ questioning whether Baumgardner’s 10-month layoff would lead to ring rust.

Round-by-Round Breakdown

The following account draws on detailed reports from BoxingScene, The Athletic, and Sportskeeda for an accurate depiction of the fight.

Rounds 1–2: Cautious Opening
The fight began tentatively, with both fighters probing for range. Baumgardner applied cautious pressure, landing a body jab and a two-punch combination, while Miranda’s jabs grazed gloves without significant impact. In the second, Baumgardner found her rhythm, snapping Miranda’s head back with a stiff jab and landing a one-two. A clubbing shot caused Miranda to tumble, ruled a slip by the referee. Baumgardner’s aggression gave her the edge, though Miranda landed a solid right hand late. Boxing News described the round as Baumgardner “finding her range.”

Rounds 3–4: Baumgardner’s Dominance
Baumgardner heated up in the third, planting her feet and landing well-timed overhand rights, showcasing her hand speed. Miranda struggled to respond, her timing off as Baumgardner slipped shots and countered from angles. The fourth saw Baumgardner clatter a hook into Miranda’s chin, nearly seizing a knockout but holding back despite crowd roars. The Athletic noted, “Miranda’s fighting somebody who just isn’t in front of her,” highlighting Baumgardner’s elusive footwork.

Rounds 5–6: Miranda’s Resistance
Miranda showed resilience in the fifth, landing a few shots as Baumgardner eased off slightly. Boxing News suggested Miranda edged the round, capitalizing on Baumgardner’s cautious approach. The sixth was lackluster, with both fighters clashing heads, prompting a referee warning. Baumgardner’s controlled aggression kept her ahead, but Miranda’s awkward style made it a scrappy affair. Sportskeeda noted the round’s lack of firepower, with fatigue setting in.

Rounds 7–8: Miranda’s Surge
Miranda came alive in the seventh, boxing well behind her jab and growing in confidence. She backed Baumgardner to the ropes in the eighth with a stream of short shots, landing a solid two-punch combination early. Baumgardner, appearing fatigued, struggled to repel Miranda’s pressure. Boxing News called it Miranda’s best round, with puffiness under her eyes showing the fight’s toll. Baumgardner’s corner showed frustration as Miranda chipped away at her lead.

Rounds 9–10: Baumgardner Seals It
Baumgardner roared back in the ninth, landing overhand shots and regaining control, though Miranda’s jabs kept her competitive. The tenth was a flurry, with Baumgardner striking early with a solid left and unloading combinations. Miranda fought back gamely, landing a heavy right, but Baumgardner’s sharper shots and bodywork secured the round. Sportskeeda described it as a “tough round to score,” with both fighters trading blows.

Outcome

Alycia Baumgardner retained her undisputed super featherweight titles via unanimous decision, with scores of 98-92, 98-92, and 97-93. The victory improved her record to 16-1, while Miranda suffered her first loss, dropping to 12-1. While the scorecards suggested a clear win, Bad Left Hook noted the fight was closer than the judges indicated, with Miranda’s late surge making it competitive. Baumgardner admitted it wasn’t her best performance, crediting Miranda’s “smart game plan” and toughness.

Tactical Breakdown

Baumgardner’s victory was rooted in her early dominance, using footwork, speed, and counters to outmaneuver Miranda. Her ability to slip punches and land from angles frustrated the Spaniard, particularly in rounds 3–4. However, her long layoff—only four rounds fought in two years—showed in later rounds, where fatigue and Miranda’s pressure narrowed the gap. Miranda’s jab and resilience shone, but her low power output limited her ability to hurt Baumgardner. Boxing News praised Baumgardner’s “smart aggression” but noted Miranda’s fundamentals made it a tougher fight than expected.

Controversies and Fan Reactions

The unanimous decision sparked debate, with some fans on X calling it a “robbery.” @jeffreyboxe scored it 97-93 for Miranda, criticizing Netflix’s commentary for bias toward Baumgardner. Others, like @WritingYogi, praised Miranda’s performance, noting she “won over fans” despite the loss. Bad Left Hook echoed that the 98-92 scorecards were “especially wide,” given Miranda’s strong rounds 7–8. No major referee controversies emerged, though clinching and a head clash in round 6 drew warnings.

Undercard Context

The Taylor vs. Serrano 3 card was a historic all-female event, with Baumgardner-Miranda as the co-main. Other results included:

• Katie Taylor def. Amanda Serrano via majority decision (97-93, 97-93, 95-95) for the undisputed super lightweight titles.
• Shadasia Green def. Savannah Marshall via split decision for the IBF/WBO super middleweight titles.
• Ellie Scotney def. Yamileth Mercado via unanimous decision for the IBF/WBC/WBO super bantamweight titles.
• Cherneka Johnson def. Shurretta Metcalf via ninth-round TKO for the undisputed bantamweight titles.

The card’s 17 title belts and 4.2 million U.S. viewers made it the most-watched women’s sports event of 2025, per Netflix.

Alycia Baumgardner vs. Jennifer Miranda was a thrilling co-main event that showcased the depth and excitement of women’s boxing. Baumgardner’s unanimous decision victory, though closer than the scorecards suggested, reinforced her reign as undisputed super featherweight champion, while Miranda’s gritty performance won fans and respect. Part of a historic all-female card at Madison Square Garden, the fight drew millions on Netflix, marking a milestone for the sport. As Baumgardner eyes her next challenge and Miranda builds on her breakout moment, this clash will be remembered as a testament to the skill, heart, and star power driving women’s boxing forward in 2025.