The Jake Paul fight with Anthony Joshua may be scoffed at, but yet again Paul provides a platform for elite female fighters to demonstrate their ability in front of a huge television audience. Alycia Baumgardner and Cherneka Johnson will both benefit from the exposure they will receive.
In the swirl of opinion and mockery that envelops the Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua this Friday what does remain irrefutable is the positive impact Paul, via his Most Valuable Promotions, has had on Womens' boxing. Without him and the platform his notoriety has provided for his events - on which female title fights are always prominent - fighters like Amando Serrano and Katie Taylor would not have have had their skills showcased to enormous audiences. Those two, and a host of lesser known female prizefighters have earned career high purses as a result.
This exposure promises participation in the future from a whole new generation and proposes that the sport can grow and develop for those who pursue its benefits and opportunities. With Taylor and Serrano approaching the twilight of their respective careers, newer faces will need to emerge to replace them and take up the baton for the sport they've graced.
On Friday, MVP once again extends opportunity to a series of female fighters looking to fill the upcoming void. Alycia Baumgardner and Cherneka Johnson are two established unified champions appearing on the undercard and are now joined by Britain's Caroline Dubois.
Dubois is a welcome addition to the card and her own superstardom in the sphere of women's boxing is, arguably, overdue. Powerful, athletic and a highly skilled southpaw, Dubois will relish the opportunity provided by this platform, her signing cleverly marketed by Paul in the days leading to fight week. The sister of Heavyweight Daniel Dubois she has exceptional pedigree and the frame to progress through weight classes like her distinguished predecessors. She will defend her WBC Lightweight title against Camilla Panatta in her second fight of 2025 - expect Dubois to dominate. Hopefully, MVP can increase her profile and busyness in the year ahead.
Alycia Baumgardner boxes over 12 x 2 in defence of her IBF/WBO Super Featherweight belts versus 9/1 betting underdog Leila Beaudoin - a capable Canadian with a good win in her last fight. Baumgardner should have too much poise and footwork to be lured into a battle of strength and will likely outwit a game challenge over the distance.
Of all the fights on the undercard, the challenger who appears most qualified to extend the champion is Canada's Amanda Galle, 12-0-1 (1ko).
Cherneka Johnson v Amanda Galle
IBF, WBC, WBO Bantamweight title
A veteran at 36, Galle has held peripheral world belts at the weight and has spent her life in combat sports. As an 8/1 underdog, it remains a bold pick as upset wins are rare at this level in women's boxing. Galle has good balance, decent feet and is an aggressive counterpuncher.
Kiwi Cherneka Johnson’s loss to Ellie Scotney demonstrated she can be repelled with grit and combination punches thrown with spite – though Scotney is still without a knockout win herself. But Johnson remains a formidable foe to overcome. The fact Galle has signed with Jake Paul’s MVP proposes she will get a fair shake on the cards if she is as competitive as I sense she could be. Surviving Johnson’s trademark early onslaught will be key.
Johnson is not a unified Bantamweight champion by accident. She is strong, aggressive and smothers lesser foes than Scotney with work-rate, two fisted attacks and will take a shot to land her own. She does forgo head movement, illustrated in her fight with Metcalf WTKO9, the ending was contentious, in order to impose herself.
Galle probably lacks the ‘pop’ to deter the champion, who punches straighter and appears naturally stronger at this weight. Hence the odds.
All of these fighters on the undercard, in addition to Yokasta Valle another experienced figure appearing, will benefit from the spotlight.
Jake Paul deserves great credit for following through on his commitment to these female fighters.