The FightPost Feud of the Year: Alycia Baumgardner vs Mikaela Mayer

The FightPost Feud of the Year: Alycia Baumgardner vs Mikaela Mayer

In any other year, the rivalry that was, that still is, Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall would have won every single award that carries feud of the year, or other similar narratives. In truth, it wouldn’t have even been close. But one rivalry that shows no sign of slowing down, and it probably never will, topped it and then some. It might have played a supporting role in October in status at the top of the historic all-female Boxxer card in London, but for pure venom and spite, there really was no contest and no doubt which feud carried more bite. Make no mistake, it wasn’t one made up or exaggerated to sell a few more tickets. The beef is real and about as real as it could possibly be.

Mikaela Mayer and Alycia Baumgardner came to London to unify the super-featherweight division, but the baubles on offer carried little meaning, except for what lay ahead for both, in simple terms, it was a fight born out of hatred. Two Americans came to the O2 Arena to settle their differences with their fists.

Mayer and Baumgardner played their parts quite beautifully in the build-up. Both sold their fight quite magnificently, a simmering feud that had been allowed to marinate and intensify for a few more weeks as a result of the Queen’s passing which saw the original September date cancelled at incredibly short notice which left real doubts that the fight would be lost forever as a result. But when the fight was finally and thankfully rescheduled the two returned to London to renew hostilities.

The fight might not have been the blood and thunder affair many were expecting and hoping for, but it was nevertheless an engrossing spectacle. Mayer boxed carefully and to orders, not looking to engage too much and boxing nicely behind her effective jab. After a slowish start, Mayer started to find her rhythm as the fight progressed. Baumgardner was always dangerous with her patented right hand and scored well at times, especially in the 2nd and the 7th. Without any doubt, her best rounds of the fight. But I had her falling short on the cards after her good start. It was technical rather than the all-out war but in no way a lesser viewing experience. Both thought they had won after 10 good rounds, but Mayer looked to have by far the better case. One judge agreed with Mayer, but the remaining two saw it narrowly for Baumgardner. The crowd booed, and heavily. It changed nothing. But it left us wanting more.

Talk of a rematch surfaced instantly, but Baumgardner wanted the one remaining champion in her division to go undisputed. But already that looks like being a long wait. An injury has delayed it for now, but the elusive WBA champion will likely stay evasive for longer. Mayer wants the rematch, and badly, but Baumgardner looks intent on making her wait. At least for now. But without an immediate dance partner that can generate anywhere near the kind of interest, and crucially, the money, that a return with Mayer can bring, her mind might be changed. Money always has a habit of being a deciding factor in boxing. As good as it was the first time, it can’t fail to be better the second time around. It still is very much unfinished business. It is the obvious choice for FightPost Feud of the Year. And there is every chance it will be next year as well.