Mayer Targets Baumgardner’s Only Conqueror in Hopes of a Rematch
Former unified super featherweight champion Mikaela Mayer (17-1, 5 KOs) was strategically positioning herself for a highly anticipated rematch with her rival, Alycia Baumgardner (13-1, 7 KOs), by initially targeting Christina Linardatou (14-2, 6 KOs) for a fight in 2023. This move was designed to strengthen Mayer’s claim for a second bout against Baumgardner, who had narrowly defeated her via a split decision on the historic Shields Marshall card in October 2022, a loss that fueled Mayer’s drive for redemption.
Linardatou held a unique position in the super featherweight landscape, being the only fighter to have handed Baumgardner a professional defeat, a split decision loss in July 2018. Mayer believed that overcoming the Greek former two-time WBO junior-welterweight champion would generate significant public demand and a compelling narrative for a rematch with Baumgardner.
Rejecting Hearn’s Initial Proposal, Mayer Chooses a More Strategic Path
Eddie Hearn, a prominent figure in boxing promotion, had presented Mayer with the option to fight the highly-rated prospect Beatriz Ferreira as a stepping stone towards a second clash with Baumgardner. However, Mayer, known for her calculated career moves, dismissed this route as less advantageous. Instead, she opted for a direct challenge against Baumgardner’s past conqueror, Linardatou, hoping to build an undeniable case for a rematch by tackling more significant and directly relevant competition. Beatriz Ferreira, a Brazilian professional boxer, later went on to hold the IBF lightweight title from April 2024 to December 2025, showcasing her own formidable talent.
Mayer’s Strategic Path and the Linardatou Challenge: The Aftermath
The highly anticipated matchup between Mayer and Linardatou was initially expected to headline a Top Rank show in the United States, broadcast on ESPN. Linardatou, a former super lightweight champion with a strong track record that included bouts against boxing luminaries like Delfine Persoon and Katie Taylor, represented a formidable challenge for Mayer. The fight was officially scheduled for April 15, 2023, at the Copper Box Arena in London, serving as the co-feature to the Joe Joyce vs. Zhilei Zhang heavyweight clash.
However, the planned bout took an unexpected turn. Christina Linardatou was pulled from the fight at the last minute after failing a pre-fight medical examination, reportedly due to an issue with her eye. This unforeseen development forced a change in Mayer’s opponent. Sweden’s Lucy Wildheart (10-1) stepped in as a late replacement. Mayer (17-1, 5 KOs) ultimately secured a unanimous decision victory over Wildheart, earning the interim WBC female lightweight world title in the process.
Following this, Mayer continued her activity, facing Silvia Bortot on September 2, 2023, in Manchester, where she won by a clear points decision over ten rounds. Mayer’s pursuit of further titles saw her move up in weight. On January 20, 2024, she challenged Natasha Jonas for the IBF welterweight title, losing a close split decision. Undeterred, Mayer continued her campaign in the welterweight division, capturing the WBO welterweight title with a majority decision win over Sandy Ryan on September 27, 2024. She successfully defended this title in a rematch against Ryan on March 29, 2025, winning by unanimous decision. Most recently, on October 30, 2025, Mikaela Mayer became a three-division world champion by defeating Mary Spencer via unanimous decision to claim the WBA, WBC, and WBO super-welterweight titles. Mayer’s current professional record stands at 22 wins and 2 losses, with 5 knockouts. She has since signed with Most Valuable Promotions in March 2026.
Baumgardner’s Ascent to Undisputed Champion
Meanwhile, Alycia Baumgardner (13-1, 7 KOs) proceeded with her undisputed title fight against France’s Elhem Mekhaled (15-1, 3 KOs) as scheduled on February 4, 2023, at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater in New York City. Baumgardner delivered a dominant performance, twice knocking Mekhaled down in the third round and ultimately securing a unanimous decision victory with scorecards of 99-89, 99-89, and 98-90. This decisive win cemented Baumgardner’s status as the undisputed super featherweight champion of the world, unifying all four major belts (WBC, WBO, IBF, and WBA).
Following her unification bout, Baumgardner made her first undisputed world super featherweight title defense against Christina Linardatou on July 15, 2023, at The Masonic Temple Detroit in Detroit, Michigan. This was a highly anticipated rematch, as Linardatou was the only fighter to have previously defeated Baumgardner. Baumgardner avenged her sole professional loss with a clear unanimous decision victory, with judges scoring the bout 99-91, 98-92, and 98-92.
Baumgardner continued to defend her undisputed crown, facing Delfine Persoon on September 27, 2024. This bout was unfortunately ruled a No Contest in the fourth round due to a cut Persoon sustained from an accidental head clash. She then successfully defended her title against Jennifer Miranda on July 11, 2025, at Madison Square Garden, winning by unanimous decision. Further defenses included a unanimous decision victory over Leila Beaudoin on December 19, 2025, and another unanimous decision win against Bo Mi Re Shin on April 17, 2026. Alycia Baumgardner’s current professional record stands at 18 wins and 1 loss, with 7 knockouts, solidifying her reign as the undisputed champion.
Implications for the Divisions and Future Prospects
Despite initially denying the possibility of a rematch with Mayer after their first bout, Eddie Hearn, Baumgardner’s promoter, had hinted at openness to the idea if it made financial sense, describing a potential rematch as “sensational” and a fight that could headline in the United States. While Mayer’s initial plan to fight Linardatou as a direct path to Baumgardner did not unfold as intended, her subsequent success across multiple weight classes has significantly elevated her profile.
Mayer’s journey from super featherweight to becoming a unified super-welterweight champion demonstrates her versatility and ambition. Her decision to move up in weight after the Baumgardner loss, and her subsequent title wins in the lightweight, welterweight, and super-welterweight divisions, have made her a formidable force in women’s boxing. This expansion of her championship pedigree across multiple divisions means that a potential rematch with Baumgardner, while still a highly anticipated prospect, would likely occur at a higher weight class, or require one of the fighters to make a significant adjustment.
Baumgardner, on the other hand, has firmly established herself as the undisputed queen of the super featherweight division, consistently defending her unified titles against top contenders. Her dominant performances, including the avenging of her only loss against Linardatou, underscore her reign. The landscape of women’s boxing continues to evolve, with both Mayer and Baumgardner holding significant power and influence in their respective divisions. A future clash between these two rivals, regardless of the weight class, would undoubtedly be one of the most compelling matchups in the sport, driven by their competitive history and individual successes.
