Alycia Baumgardner insists she is being overlooked, ahead of her world title showdown with Terri Harper on Saturday night.
Baumgardner (10-1, 6 KOs) aims for a maiden world title when she clashes with undefeated WBC and IBO champion, Harper (11-0-1, 6 KOs) on the undercard of Kid Galahad’s IBF featherweight title defence against Kiko Martinez at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield, live on DAZN.
The Ohio native feels she is being underestimated and does not believe her British foe, who returns after a year out due to a recurring hand injury, will pose a major threat to her.
“They are overlooking me and I love it,” Baumgardner told proboxing-fans.com at Thursday’s press conference.
“They don’t know much about me, they only know what they see, so come Saturday night you’ll see a full package of who Alycia is and they’re in for a treat, a rude awakening.
“Terri Harper poses no threat to me and you’ll see.
“I’ve seen that Terri’s a tough girl, she can box a little bit. She has more of an amateur style, something that I’ve seen for a very long time and so nothing that surprises me.”
Matchroom Chairman, Eddie Hearn told Pro Boxing Fans on Tuesday that WBA champion, Hyun Mi Choi has signed a contract to face Harper.
The Brit has also been linked with a unification with unified WBO and IBF titlist, Mikaela Mayer, who claimed the IBF belt with victory over Maiva Hamadouche last Friday.
Baumgardner admits she would relish a meeting with her compatriot in the future.
“I think that fight with Mayer would be one of the biggest fights,” the 27-year-old added.
“Only because the USA hasn’t had a fight with USA fighters and I think it would be great for women’s boxing.
“It would kind of just open up that other door in the US, because the US is kind of slacking with women’s boxing, so I think that it would be great fight if we were able to make that.”
‘The Bomb’ is undefeated in her last four fights since a sole professional defeat to now WBO super lightweight champion, Christina Linardatou in 2018.
Heading into her meeting with ‘Belter’, she admits she has been inspired by Canelo Alvarez’s recent victory over Caleb Plant to become the undisputed super middleweight champion.
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“He’s an amazing fighter,” Baumgardner added.
“That fight was so awesome to see, I got to watch it before we came out here [to Sheffield].
“And it just put in my mind, you can go 11 rounds and get a knockout.
“It just motivated me that anything can happen.”
Watch the full interview with Alycia Baumgardner below:
