MVP promotion signed Alycia Baumgardner in March 2025, positioning her as the next face of women's boxing as legends Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano contemplate retirement. The 17‑1 junior‑lightweight champion will headline MVPW 02 on Friday from Madison Square Garden, fighting Bo Mi Re Shin on ESPN’s main network. CEO Jake Paul and exec Nakisa Bidarian tout her crossover appeal and will draw a record audience.

Born in Fremont, Ohio, Baumgardner entered wrestling at five, then switched to boxing at the local Wreckers gym. After a modest debut in 2017, she juggled three jobs while chasing titles, enduring a split‑decision loss in 2018. A pandemic‑era move to Detroit led to a breakthrough when she challenged Terri Harper on five weeks’ notice for just $25,000, winning the WBC belt.

Now a unified WBO, IBF and WBA junior‑lightweight champion, Baumgardner commands over 800,000 Instagram followers and slots on marquee cards, including co‑main events with Taylor‑Serrano III and Paul‑Joshua. Broadcaster Crystina Poncher stresses that her marketability off‑camera matches her aggressive style inside the ring. Friday’s headline solidifies her claim as boxing’s new ambassador for the sport.