Tonight in Detroit, Alycia Baumgardner had a rematch with Christina Linardatou for the undisputed junior lightweight and The Ring Magazine championship.
Baumgardner (15-1, 7 KOs) adopted a patient and calculated approach, deftly countering in the early rounds and seizing openings with powerful combinations. Linardatou (14-3, 6 KOs) managed to keep the match competitive during the first half, capitalizing on Baumgardner's slower pace. However, Baumgardner shone brightly when she let her fists fly, highlighted by a striking sequence midway through the fourth round and impressive bodywork in the middle rounds.
A potent body combination in the seventh round visibly weakened Linardatou, contrasting starkly with her lively, quick-paced style in the fight's initial stages. Baumgardner convincingly won every round from this point, securing official scores of 98-92 (twice) and 99-91 for a unanimous decision victory. After her win, Baumgardner expressed her interest in challenging the top contenders at 135 pounds, specifically calling out Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano. Promoter Eddie Hearn hinted at a potential match-up with Serrano.
On the undercard, Andy Cruz (1-0, 0 KOs) made an unconventional professional debut with a ten-round bout against seasoned veteran Juan Carlos Burgos (35-8-3, 21 KOs). Cruz exhibited impressive defensive prowess, quick hands, and a penchant for success at both long-range and close-quarters combat. Even low blows in the sixth and tenth rounds did not deter him.
Burgos, although not the same force that once went the distance against the likes of Mikey Garcia and Devin Haney, still posed a formidable challenge for a debuting fighter. Cruz, however, was unfazed, showcasing his stamina and skill all the way to the final bell. The only aspect missing from Cruz's performance was substantial power, but his corner saw no need for adjustments given his success in each round. Two judges concurred, and the third judge submitted a 98-92 card. While it's unclear how Burgos earned any rounds, this minor discrepancy could provide Cruz with additional motivation for his future bouts.
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Image Credit: Matchroom Boxing