Alycia Baumgardner Would not Pull Her Punches

Simply weeks away from the prospect to unify the ladies’s junior light-weight titles, Alycia Baumgardner is as locked in as one can be for the chance to make historical past.

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 via as a result of we have now 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 per week. We’re working twice a day, so all the things is as much as job — simply ensuring all the things 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 most likely 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 most likely doing about eight to 10 rounds. After sparring, I’ll hit the bag, may do a cooldown run. After that, I am going again house, calm down. The third exercise of the day might 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 ladies’s boxing however boxing general. To be part of this card is to be part of historical past. It’s not widespread 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 large as effectively. And simply the pedigree of the battle. These are high quality athletes on the prime 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 it will change the route of how ladies’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 distinct highlight, to have multiple 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 feel lots of people will likely be tunes in. There’s actual animosity between me and Mikaela and between Savannah and Claressa, so it’s undoubtedly value 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 task. 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 capable of separate the 2 and be a magnificence and a beast, and actually simply mix the 2. I may be this sturdy girl, however I also can have this female aspect to me to point out my smooth aspect and dress up. I feel it’s a fantastic stability 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 might 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 need to overthink. Simply be who you’re, be comfy and if you’re your genuine self, you’re capable of simply produce extra of who you’re for the world to see.

Food plan Self-discipline

Simply being match and my wellness as an individual is essential to me and it’s a life-style. So, I guarantee that I’m consuming proper, and my weight is sweet in order that simply transitions into your life-style. So, once I do get a name, I don’t have to fret about dropping 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 unsuitable, I do cheat meals loads 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 folks know that it’s a life-style and it needs to be. Once you’re in a sport like this, you by no means know if you’ll get that decision to battle. You don’t need to be chubby and now you’re in camp, dropping pounds as a substitute of coaching for the battle. That’s no subject with me as I keep at combating weight.

Alycia Baumgardner Additionally Protects The Girls of Detroit

Even with a busy schedule, Alycia Baumgardner teaches self-defense lessons to ladies in Detroit at SuperBad Boxing for 3 years.

“Males are invited however it’s largely all ladies. It’s a 30-minute class with the sauna on, so it’s scorching in there as effectively. You’re dropping pounds, sweating, and controlling your respiratory. We’re punching the bag and it’s all full-body cardio. A number of ladies find it irresistible. We’re taking part in music and it’s enjoyable when you may make train enjoyable.

I imagine in motivating folks. 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 some weight, or if it was a dialog to inspire you to return to the subsequent class. It’s all about planting these seeds into folks and watering them every day to allow them to do this for others. I feel that’s how knowledge grows all through and from one particular person to a different.

Legacy

Once you discuss ladies’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’re in addition to your accomplishments. I generally is a multi-world champion however 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+