Alycia Baumgardner vs Elhem Mekhaled Preview February 4th, 2023
WBC/IBO/WBA/WBO/IBF Super Featherweight Champion Alycia Baumgardner of Fremont, Ohio will be putting all of her titles on the line against Elhem Mekhaled of France this Saturday, February 4th. The 10-rounder from New York City can be seen live in most nations on DAZN. Baumgardner last fought in October when she got the nod in a controversial split decision over Mikaela Mayer to take her IBF and WBO Titles. Mekhaled last saw action in May when she dropped a 10-round unanimous decision to Delfine Persoon for the vacant WBC Silver Super Featherweight Title.
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Alycia Baumgardner vs Elhem Mekhaled Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Elhem Mekhaled +550
- Alycia Baumgardner -900
My Pick
Baumgardner is 28 years old and makes her ring walk with an impressive mark of 13-1 with 7 Ko’s. She made her pro debut in 2017 and has boxed 66 rounds since. Her lone loss came to Christina Linardatou by way of an eight-round split decision in 2018 when she lost the WBC International Super Featherweight Title. She had won the vacant belt two fights earlier with an eight-round unanimous decision over Nydia Feliciano.
Baumgardner stopped Terri Harper in the fourth round last November to win the WBC and IBO Junior-Lightweight titles and is now riding a seven-fight winning streak. She turned pro after an amateur career which saw her win a silver medal at the 2014 National Golden Gloves as a welterweight and a gold at the 2014 US National Boxing Championships as a lightweight. She’s 5-feet-6-inches tall with an unlisted reach and as far as power goes, she’s far above average in the female version of the sport with a current knockout ratio of 50 per cent.
The 31-year-old Mekhaled has boxed 100 rounds since making her pro debut in 2017 following a good amateur career which saw her box in the 2013, 2014 and 2015 French National Championships as well as the 2015 African Games and 2016 African Olympic Qualifiers. Since turning pro she’s racked up a record of 15-1 with 3 Ko’s. Mekhaled measures 5-feet-5-inches tall with an unlisted reach so gives up an inch in height to Baumgardner.
Mekhaled isn’t known as a heavy hitter as her current knockout ratio stands at just 18.8 per cent. Since turning pro she’s captured the vacant French, and European Super Featherweight Titles along with the interim WBC World Super Featherweight Crown. Mekhaled has fought just five opponents who entered the ring with winning records. These were Pauline Leconte, Elisse Bussiere, Danila Ramos, Pasa Malagic and Delfine Persoon.
Prediction…
I didn’t think Baumgardner deserved the decision against Mayer in her last fight but considering her power, experience and skills I’m expecting her to keep her titles against Mekhaled. It’s a step up in class for Mekhaled as she’s fought limited opposition for most of her pro career and she doesn’t have the power to keep the younger champion at bay.
Baumgardner has the experience and power behind her.
Play: Baumgardner -900 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Alycia Baumgardner betting • Elhem Mekhaled betting