With a caldron of anticipation surrounding the main event between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua, Friday’s card at the Kaseya Center pivoted into a showcase for women’s boxing. Four women’s world title fights anchored an electrifying undercard, delivering decisive victories and reaffirming the sport’s rapid ascent in mainstream combat sports. Boxers Alycia Baumgardner, Caroline Dubois, Cherneka Johnson, and Yokasta Valle all emerged victorious, defending their belts and in some cases widening their realm of influence in the featherweight to super flyweight divisions.
H2: Baumgardner delivers a masterclass in defense and timing
Alycia Baumgardner stepped into the ring with the poise of a veteran and the hunger of a challenger, despite sitting as a reigning champion. From the opening bell, she controlled the pace, dictating range with accurate jabs and sharp combinations. Her opponent pressed forward, seeking to disrupt Baumgardner’s rhythm, but the Detroit-native remained calm, turning defense into offense with precise counters and effective movement.
As rounds progressed, Baumgardner’s footwork allowed her to create angles, making it difficult for her challenger to land clean, meaningful shots. The champion landed a series of clean straight punches to the body, sapping energy from the challenger and earning rounds that steadily built a lead on the scorecards. In the late rounds, a renewed burst of activity underscored her readiness to execute when needed, sealing a victory that underscored her status at or near the top of the division. The win reinforced Baumgardner’s reputation as one of the sport’s most technically polished fighters—a rare blend of ring IQ, power, and defense.
H2: Dubois fulfills the promise in a high-intensity clash
Caroline Dubois delivered a performance that matched the hype surrounding her ascent in women’s boxing. Trading punches in a fast-paced exchange, Dubois exhibited a blend of speed, footwork, and tactical discipline that kept her opponent off balance. The bout featured multiple momentum swings: clean left hooks, rapid uppercuts, and a willingness to engage in close-quarters exchanges when necessary.
Dubois showcased a resilient chin and an ability to absorb pressure before pivoting to an effective counter-attacking game. The judges’ scorecards reflected a clear winner, with Dubois’s combinations often the deciding factor in rounds that could have otherwise swung toward the challenger. By the finish, she had elevated her status beyond national limits, signaling a new era for a fighter who has grown from a prospect to a bona fide world champion in front of a global audience.
H2: Valle and Johnson keep belts secure in contrasting styles
In a pair of battles that highlighted the depth of the division, Yokasta Valle and Cherneka Johnson demonstrated why they sit atop their respective weight classes. Valle, fighting with surgical precision, used steady foot movement to create space for her disciplined combinations. Her defense was methodical, making it difficult for the challenger to mount an effective offense. Valle’s win was a testament to endurance and consistency—traits that define a champion as much as power does. Valle’s victory also served as a reminder of the importance of technique and strategy in modern boxing.
Cherneka Johnson, meanwhile, turned the ring into a chessboard, using feints and a crisp jab to control the tempo. Johnson’s adaptability allowed her to answer aggression with well-timed counters, forcing her opponent into risky mistakes. By choosing control over chaos, Johnson navigated a tough game plan and emerged with the belt intact, reinforcing her standing as a dominant force in the lighter weight classes.
H2: The undercard’s lasting impact on women’s boxing
Together, Baumgardner, Dubois, Valle, and Johnson delivered more than title defenses; they provided a compelling argument for the continued expansion of opportunities for women in boxing. The main event may have dominated headlines, but the night’s four title fights added critical momentum to the sport’s growth—growing fan interest, sponsorship, and broadcast visibility. For aspiring boxers, the undercard’s outcomes offered tangible proof that skill, strategy, and perseverance can translate into sustained championship relevance on a global stage.
Looking ahead, the sport’s trajectory suggests more cross-pollination with major events continues to be a catalyst for both visibility and competition. As these champions prepare for their next challenges, the takeaway is clear: women’s boxing remains a compelling, high-stakes arena where technique, courage, and heart deliver championship moments that resonate beyond the ropes.
