Overview: A Night for Women’s Boxing in Miami
Friday’s Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua card at the Kaseya Center in Miami delivered more than a spectacle in the main event. The undercard featured a quartet of women’s world title bouts, with champions Alycia Baumgardner, Caroline Dubois, Cherneka Johnson, and Yokasta Valle all defending their belts. The fight night emphasized the growing prominence of women’s boxing and the skill depth across four weight classes, underscoring why these matches are increasingly headline-worthy in major pay-per-view cards.
Baumgardner Retains in a Heartbeat-Quick Thriller
Alycia Baumgardner entered the ring with her usual mix of poise, power, and surgical precision. The reigning undisputed super featherweight champion faced a stern challenge, but her movement, jab discipline, and late-round surge sealed a unanimous decision victory that kept her title reign unbroken. The win reinforced Baumgardner’s status as a face of modern women’s boxing, showcasing her ability to impose control across rounds and close out fights with accuracy rather than sheer brawn.
Dubois Delivers against a Resilient Challenger
Caroline Dubois, the rising star from the United Kingdom, put on a performance that combined speed with tactical timing. In a contest that tested her ability to carry pressure without losing pace, Dubois demonstrated why her prospect trajectory has become a blueprint for future champions. The decision in favor of Dubois was a reaffirmation that she belongs in the elite tier of women’s light weight classes, with her footwork and hand speed drawing praise from observers and analysts alike.
Johnson and Valle: Reigning Champions Stand Firm
Cherneka Johnson and Yokasta Valle both defended their crowns in closely contested bouts that reminded fans of the grit needed at the championship level. Johnson’s physicality and ring IQ allowed her to weather storms and land key blows at pivotal moments, while Valle leveraged experience and technical precision to navigate against a determined challenger. Each victory not only preserves their belts but also reinforces the marketing appeal of a growing division where multiple champions are proving equally capable of big-fight appeal and long-reigning persistence.
Impact on Women’s Boxing and the Pay-Per-View Card
The success of the undercard in Miami signals a broader shift in how boxing events are structured and marketed. When four women’s world title fights anchor a pay-per-view card, it becomes clear that fans value high-quality competition across weight classes, not just a single marquee bout. The performances by Baumgardner, Dubois, Johnson, and Valle are likely to drive stronger cross-over interest, sponsorship opportunities, and a longer life for the sport’s female champions in a market thirsty for meaningful rivalries and consistent, competitive action.
What’s Next for the Champions?
With belts retained, the champions will now look toward potential next challengers from a deeper pool of contenders around the globe. Baumgardner’s team may pursue a rematch scenario or a unification bout against a fellow titleholder in a division that has seen rapid development over the past year. Dubois could accelerate her trajectory by taking on a formidable opponent with a similar fan base, leveraging her momentum from this victory. Valle and Johnson have positioned themselves as anchors in their respective divisions, ready for the kind of high-profile, pay-per-view-worthy threats that can elevate the entire category.
Conclusion: A Milestone Night for Women’s Boxing
Friday’s show in Miami wasn’t just a set of title defenses; it was a clear statement that women’s boxing can anchor major events, drive compelling narratives, and deliver entertaining, competitive fights. Baumgardner, Dubois, Johnson, and Valle left the ring with their belts intact and their brands stronger than ever, setting the stage for more landmark nights in the sport’s ongoing growth story.
