The undisputed junior-lightweight champion Alycia Baumgardner has signed with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, expanding MVP’s roster of female fighters and continuing Baumgardner’s comeback from a temporary drugs suspension that kept her out of the ring for 14 months.
Baumgardner, 15-1 (7 KOs), won the WBC title with a dramatic stoppage of Britain’s Terri Harper in Sheffield, England in November 2021. She added the WBO and IBF belts via a split decision vover Mikaela Mayer in October 2022, with the vacant WBA title joining her collection when she beat Elhem Mekhaled in February 2023.
She joins a stable that includes the unified featherweight champion Amanda Serrano, the two-time Canadian Olympian Tamm Thibeault, and Puerto Rican contender Krystal Rosado.
“MVP has proven they’re leaders in women’s boxing, creating the biggest opportunities for fighters like me to shine,” said Baumgardner. “This partnership is a natural fit – not just for my career but for the impact we’re making on the sport. The future just got even bigger.”
Baumgardner’s first defense of her undisputed title in July 2023 involved her avenging her only career defeat when she outpointed Christina Linardatou in Detroit. However, her then-promoter Matchroom Boxing announced in August that her pre-fight sample had tested positive for mesterolone and methenolone acetate metabolites – although two post-fight samples came up negative.
Baumgardner protested the findings, asserting in a social media post that: “I never have, never would, and never will take this or any other drug.”
In January 2024, the WBC cleared her of intentionally taking the substances, and the Association of Boxing Commissions lifted her temporary suspension two months later.
Baumgardner, 30, returned to the ring in September but after dropping Delfine Persoon in the first round, she had to settle for a no-contest when Persoon was unable to continue following a clash of heads in the fourth round.
“MVP is strategically building a roster of fighters who deliver the W both inside and outside the ring, and we are thrilled to welcome Alycia to the family as our newest women’s world champion,” read a statement from Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, co-founders of MVP.
“Alycia is a one of the premier athletes in combat sports and signing her is a meaningful accomplishment for our promotion as we now have exclusive relationships with two of the top five boxers in the world. We look forward to Alyicia’s MVP debut and are actively evaluating the right timing and event for her return to the ring.”