Simply weeks away from the possibility to unify the ladies’s junior light-weight titles, Alycia Baumgardner is as locked in as one can be for the opportunity to make history.
Baumgardner (12-1, 7 KOs) additionally stands to earn the best payday of her profession — however standing in entrance of her might be unbeaten Mikaela Mayer (17-0, 5 KOs). The Sept. 10 bout on the 02 Enviornment in London represents a historic all-women’s boxing card with the headliner being the ladies’s superfight between Claressa Shields vs. Savannah Marshall.
Muscle and Health caught up with Alycia Baumgardner to debate her preparation, being featured on a “life altering” card for the game, her modeling profession, and the legacy she’s creating.
Alycia Baumgardner Will get Locked and Loaded
Proper now, we’re on the pinnacle a part of coaching camp. That is the place we actually push via as a result of we’ve 4 weeks left. When battle week comes, we form of calm down. We’ll do some minimal coaching simply to remain free. We’re sparring three days a week. We’re operating twice a day, so every thing is as much as process — simply ensuring every thing is clicking.
We begin with a 5:30 a.m. run. We’re doing 800 meters on the observe. With the place I’m at in camp, that’s most likely about eight of these, which is hard. We return residence, calm down, have breakfast, get again up at midday. That might be when the second exercise is. If it’s a sparring day, I’m most likely doing about eight to 10 rounds. After sparring, I’ll hit the bag, would possibly do a cooldown run. After that, I am going again residence, calm down. The third exercise of the day may very well be swimming or a restoration exercise. I’ll fall asleep after that after which do it once more the subsequent day.
Setting a Precedent for Boxing
This card is life altering. I’ll say this speaks volumes to the game of boxing, interval — not simply girls’s boxing however boxing general. To be part of this card is to be part of historical past. It’s not frequent to have an all-women’s card, particularly two playing cards which are for titles to unify the division, to be undisputed. Additionally, to be within the UK on the O2 Enviornment — that’s big as nicely. And simply the pedigree of the battle. These are high quality athletes on the high of their weight class that you simply’re going to have the ability to see. That is going to be the most effective of the most effective combating each other.
I imagine this can change the path of how girls’s boxing goes. Earlier within the 12 months, we had Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano — that did numbers in Madison Sq. Backyard and that allowed this card, I imagine, to showcase in a unique highlight, to have a couple of feminine battle on the cardboard for the titles to actually elevate the game of ladies’s boxing and to place extra eyes on it. I believe lots of people might be tunes in. There’s actual animosity between me and Mikaela and between Savannah and Claressa, so it’s positively price watching.
Alycia Baumgardner Rolls With the Punches
Truthfully, I simply take a while for myself. I’ll do some journaling, some praying, and simply actually sit with myself to grasp my project. I’ll even watch some sparring movies simply to maintain this picture in my head to know I’m the most effective. That separates me from the world, what I’m going into, to actually simply give attention to self. On the finish of the day, I’m the one going into the ring on my own.
Magnificence and the Beast
There are two sides to me. With boxing being a male-dominated sport and as brutal as some say — I’m in a position to separate the 2 and be a magnificence and a beast, and actually simply mix the 2. I might be this robust lady, however I can even have this female facet to me to point out my comfortable facet and dress up. I believe it’s an ideal steadiness to have and present others that, “Oh she will do each and she will battle. She will be able to’t simply battle, she will battle, battle!”
With modeling, I’d say simply being comfy was the adjustment. Identical to being comfy in entrance of the digital camera doing interviews, it’s form of the identical factor. Simply placing myself within the mindset of you don’t should overthink. Simply be who you’re, be comfy and while you’re your genuine self, you’re in a position to simply produce extra of who you’re for the world to see.
Food regimen Self-discipline
Simply being match and my wellness as an individual is vital to me and it’s a way of life. So, I make it possible for I’m consuming proper, and my weight is sweet in order that simply transitions into your way of life. So, once I do get a name, I don’t have to fret about losing a few pounds or if my abs are on level. I’m able to go.
I’m very aware of what I’m consuming. Don’t get me incorrect, I do cheat meals so much however how I eat, I do know it’s a part of my efficiency and I’m placing that in the direction of one thing. It’s vital that individuals know that it’s a way of life and it needs to be. If you’re in a sport like this, you by no means know while you’ll get that decision to battle. You don’t need to be obese and now you’re in camp, losing a few pounds as a substitute of coaching for the battle. That’s no concern with me as I keep at combating weight.
Alycia Baumgardner Additionally Protects The Ladies of Detroit
Even with a busy schedule, Alycia Baumgardner teaches self-defense lessons to girls in Detroit at SuperBad Boxing for 3 years.
“Males are invited nevertheless it’s largely all girls. It’s a 30-minute class with the sauna on, so it’s sizzling in there as nicely. You’re losing a few pounds, sweating, and controlling your respiration. We’re punching the bag and it’s all full-body cardio. Numerous girls like it. We’re taking part in music and it’s enjoyable when you may make train enjoyable.
I believe in motivating people. On the finish of the day, years from now, they’ll keep in mind that Alycia helped me get via this hurdle. Whether or not if it was to drop pounds, or if it was a dialog to encourage you to return to the subsequent class. It’s all about planting these seeds into individuals and watering them each day to allow them to do this for others. I believe that’s how knowledge grows all through and from one particular person to a different.
Legacy
If you talk about girls’s boxing, you’re going to say Alycia Baumgardner. Being within the Corridor of Fame and simply cementing who I’m. She’s this all-around athlete however she’s additionally this lady who helps her communities, giving again, and motivating others. Legacy can also be your character. Individuals keep in mind who you’re in addition to your accomplishments. I is usually a multi-world champion nevertheless it’s additionally my character, what I do, how I give again, and the way I preserve progressing in my life.
You possibly can watch Alycia Baumgardner in motion vs. Mikaela Mayer on Sept. 10 on ESPN+
