It was in Quebec City that Leïla Beaudoin made her professional debut in 2017, at the Capitaine Hélicoptère complex. It’s hard for me to forget: it was my only evening as a boxing analyst on Punching Grace. I was politely told that my voice was better suited for writing.
I remember chatting with Leïla between two helicopters. She was halfway between pre-fight stress and the happiness of being where she wanted to be in life. That night, I discovered a kind and funny woman.
After her victory over Tereza Dvorakova by unanimous decision, I remember thinking to myself: she’ll have a great career and will be able to fight other Canadians before retiring. As happens to me pretty much all the time, I was wrong as a boxing scout.
Leïla looked good making weight and even managed to win three rounds against the best boxer in the world, Alycia Baumgardner (excluding Claressa Shields, the best boxer in the universe and beyond).
“I feel grateful for so many reasons. Returning to a world championship so quickly is already incredible, but being able to do it, for the first time, at home, in front of my people, is something else. I know many people will be behind me to support me, and I plan to thank them by winning my first world title on April 11,” said the athlete from Bas-Saint-Laurent, Leïla Beaudoin.
Photo: MVP – Alycia Baumgardner vs Leila Beaudoin
Tonight, she returns to a world championship bout against Colombia’s Paulina Ángel (7-2-2, 3 KOs). The interim WBA title is on the line.
What you need to know about Ángel
Paulina Ángel is a young boxer with a solid chin who particularly enjoys high-paced fights and constantly moves forward on her opponent. She has notable punching power that, among other things, surprised WBA lightweight champion Stephanie Han in 2025 with a knockdown in the first round. Against Ángel, you need to control space and tempo, keep your hands up, and prioritize technical work over brawling. These are the keys to success against the Colombian. — Marie-Ève Albert, 120 Seconds Podcast
Ángel comes from Antioquia, Colombia, near Medellín. She went through a WBA program called “Future of Colombian Boxing.”
In the ring, she is very offensive and energetic. She works behind her jab and throws a high volume of punches. I would say she is a pressure fighter who, at 24 years old, still needs to refine her boxing technique.
She is a credible prospect, developed by the WBA, but has not yet reached the highest levels. That is precisely the goal she hopes to achieve by defeating Leïla Beaudoin.
Photo: Fightmag – Stephanie Han vs Paulina Ángel
The author’s verdict
This is the ultimate maturity test for Leïla Beaudoin. If she fights her fight, manages the pressure and aggression of her less experienced opponent, she has everything it takes to come through.
I would have called this fight: Latin pressure vs Quebec discipline. Or: the clash between control and chaos.
On June 11 in Quebec City, Leïla Beaudoin will have to impose her distance management, her jab, and her reading of the rhythm against the constant pressure of Paulina Ángel.
If she controls the center, breaks the entries, and neutralizes the volume, the fight is hers.
Otherwise, this is the type of opponent who turns a game plan into organized chaos.
Photo: MVP – Leila Beaudoin
