Madison Square Garden Theatre, New York, USA. In the co-main event of the evening, American Alicia Baumgardner (14-1, 7 KOs) beat
Elham Mekhaled (15-2, 3 KOs) from France and became the absolute champion of the second featherweight (up to 59 kg). Before the fight, Alicia had three titles, and one more (WBA) was ownerless.
Mekhaled surprised by entering the ring – check out this chic red evening dress.
Now that’s an entrance…
Elhem Mekhaled pic.twitter.com/uLIH2lR0S7
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) February 5, 2023
Mekhaled started the fight well. Effective pressing, a good jab, several right straights passed. Baumgardner is looking for opportunities to counter. She gave up the initiative and is too passive.
The favorite started the second three minutes great. She kept her opponent at a distance, failed, doubled, marked herself with a bright combination, punched well in the body. The pressure allowed Mekhaled to get closer to Baumgardner – she answered with an equally cool combination. She has better defense and a solid block.
Did not help! The American shocked the Frenchwoman at the start of the 3rd round with a right hook and dropped her. She rose to her feet not without problems, but again visited the floor, survived until the gong. The referee is close to stopping the fight.
@alyciambaum drops Mekhaled twice!#BaumgardnerMekhaled | @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/jST7GtSwfj
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) February 5, 2023
Baumgardner pulled out great in the previous round. She took a break, gave the 4th three-minute period to her opponent, but returned the initiative in the next one. In the corner of the American is ex-world champion Tony Harrison, who will soon have a difficult away fight.
In the 7th round, his ward was close to an early victory. She countered with a left hook, went on the counterattack, pinned her opponent at the ropes, and beat her. The referee could have stopped the fight, but Mekhaled clinched in time.
@DAZNBoxing#BaumgardnerMekhaled pic.twitter.com/TCel11ItqM
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) February 5, 2023
The Frenchwoman had a slightly better 8th round. But she has to take risks and initiate exchanges with an opponent whose shots are much harder and, perhaps, more accurate. Wow! Mekhaled confidently took the 9th three-minute round. She turned up the density of the fight, and Baumgardner can not compete with her in this. We have intrigue!
The ladies gave a bright cut in the final round. The favorite took this three-minute due to her striking power. Cool fight! Let’s see how many rounds the judges will give to the Frenchwoman. Perhaps at least three she took iron.
99-89, 99-89 and 98-90 in favor of the favorite. A bit overdone. But on today’s show, that’s the norm.
Baumgardner UD 10.