Let’s be honest: women’s boxing is a fight in itself.
The rounds are shorter — two minutes instead of three. The purses are generally smaller. Opportunities are rarer. And promoters often invest less because “it doesn’t sell as well.” Yet, the women do the same training camps, take the same number of punches, pay the same expenses… and leave the ring with the same injuries.
But let me tell you something: those famous two-minute rounds? I actually find them more interesting. Why? Because you have less time to prove your superiority. You have to come out blazing from the opening bell — no time to play cat and mouse, as Turki Alalshikh would say. And with a higher work-to-rest ratio than in men’s boxing, you can push the intensity even further. The result? Fights that are often more explosive, more spectacular… Just ask Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor.
And when it comes to putting on a show, Leïla Beaudoin definitely delivered in her last fight.
She just knocked out Elhem Mekhaled — a top-tier boxer who neither Delfine Persoon, Chantelle Cameron, nor Alycia Baumgardner were able to stop. But she did. Clear, sharp, and precise.
Since that fight, people keep asking me:
“Hey Sam, what’s next for Beaudoin? What’s coming up for her?”
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Leïla Beaudoin
Leïla is lucky, because since the start of her career, Eye Of The Tiger has made sure to carefully plan her fights to ensure continuous progress. The firm managing her career also included a rematch clause in the contract with Mekhaled — a safety net in case of bad luck. A thoughtful and smart move. But Leïla delivered, and today what she wants more than anything is a world championship fight. The good news: her contract allows her to do this without any problem. She’s free to seize this opportunity. And she’s ready.
The catch is that Alycia Baumgardner holds all the titles in the division, monopolizing them and seems to pick her fights. Moreover, she doesn’t seem to have Leïla in her good graces… In 2023, after her fight against Christina Linardatou, Baumgardner tested positive in an anti-doping test for two anabolic steroids (Mesterolone and Methenolone Acetate). Leïla reacted strongly on social media, openly calling her a cheater. So much so that Baumgardner simply blocked her on social media. Unless Leïla becomes the mandatory challenger, I doubt Alycia will give her the chance to fight for her belts.
That said, there are increasing rumors that Baumgardner might want to change divisions and move up to 135 lbs to face Katie Taylor. The titles could then become vacant, and Leïla might finally get her chance!
And the truth is this:
She is in her prime.
She has the talent, experience, and character.
She deserves her chance.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Leïla Beaudoin and Elhem Mekhaled
If the titles become vacant and Leïla gets the chance she’s been wanting so much, who would you like to see her face in a world championship fight?
