Baumgardner retains undisputed 130 title, avenges only loss
Outpoints Linardatou in all-action homecoming fight; 2020 Olympic gold medalist Cruz wins pro debut; heavyweight Franklin rebounds from Joshua, Whyte defeats
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Not only did Alycia Baumgardner retain the undisputed women’s junior lightweight title in a Detroit homecoming bout, she avenged her only professional defeat in an action-packed but one-sided unanimous decision over Christina Linardatou on Saturday night.
They headlined the Matchroom Boxing card on DAZN at The Masonic Temple and put on a spirited show with Detroit legend Thomas Hearns and Michigan’s own Claressa Shields, the women’s pound-for-pound No. 1 and undisputed middleweight champion, watching from ringside as Baumgardner won 100-90, 98-92 and 97-93 to in her fourth overall title defense and first of the undisputed crown.
“I think Detroit should be very proud of Alycia Baumgardner,” Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn said. “I think she’s a great representative of this city. She’s the undisputed champion. She’s had big fights but she’s yet to have the mega fight and that’s what she deserves now.”