Simply weeks away from the possibility to unify the ladies’s junior light-weight titles, Alycia Baumgardner is as locked in as one could be for the opportunity to make history.
Baumgardner (12-1, 7 KOs) additionally stands to earn the very best payday of her profession — however standing in entrance of her will likely 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 by as a result of we now have 4 weeks left. When combat week comes, we type of calm down. We’ll do some minimal coaching simply to remain free. We’re sparring three days a week. We’re working twice a day, so every thing is as much as activity — simply ensuring every thing is clicking.
We begin with a 5:30 a.m. run. We’re doing 800 meters on the monitor. With the place I’m at in camp, that’s in all probability about eight of these, which is hard. We return house, calm down, have breakfast, get again up at midday. That will likely be when the second exercise is. If it’s a sparring day, I’m in all probability doing about eight to 10 rounds. After sparring, I’ll hit the bag, would possibly do a cooldown run. After that, I’m going again house, 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 following 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 enormous as effectively. And simply the pedigree of the combat. 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 one of the best of one of the best combating each other.
I imagine this may change the course of how girls’s boxing goes. Earlier within the yr, 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 multiple feminine combat on the cardboard for the titles to essentially elevate the game of girls’s boxing and to place extra eyes on it. I believe lots of people will likely 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 know my project. I’ll even watch some sparring movies simply to maintain this picture in my head to know I’m one of the best. That separates me from the world, what I’m going into, to essentially simply concentrate on 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 will be this sturdy girl, however I may also have this female aspect to me to indicate my tender aspect and dress up. I believe it’s a fantastic steadiness to have and present others that, “Oh she will be able to do each and she will be able to combat. She will be able to’t simply combat, she will be able to combat, combat!”
With modeling, I’d say simply being snug was the adjustment. Identical to being snug in entrance of the digital camera doing interviews, it’s type of the identical factor. Simply placing myself within the mindset of you don’t should overthink. Simply be who you might be, be snug and once you’re your genuine self, you’re in a position to simply produce extra of who you might be for the world to see.
Food regimen Self-discipline
Simply being match and my wellness as an individual is essential to me and it’s a way of life. So, I ensure that I’m consuming proper, and my weight is nice 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 acutely 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 essential that individuals know that it’s a way of life and it must be. If you’re in a sport like this, you by no means know once you’ll get that decision to combat. You don’t need to be obese and now you’re in camp, losing a few pounds as a substitute of coaching for the combat. That’s no situation 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 principally all girls. It’s a 30-minute class with the sauna on, so it’s sizzling in there as effectively. You’re losing a few pounds, sweating, and controlling your respiratory. We’re punching the bag and it’s all full-body cardio. A number of girls adore it. We’re enjoying music and it’s enjoyable when you can also make train enjoyable.
I believe in motivating people. On the finish of the day, years from now, they’ll do not forget that Alycia helped me get by this hurdle. Whether or not if it was to drop extra pounds, or if it was a dialog to encourage you to return to the following class. It’s all about planting these seeds into individuals and watering them day by day to allow them to try this for others. I believe that’s how knowledge grows all through and from one individual to a different.
Legacy
If you discuss 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 girl who helps her communities, giving again, and motivating others. Legacy can be your character. Folks bear in mind who you might be in addition to your accomplishments. I could be a multi-world champion nevertheless it’s additionally my character, what I do, how I give again, and the way I hold progressing in my life.
You’ll be able to watch Alycia Baumgardner in motion vs. Mikaela Mayer on Sept. 10 on ESPN+
