Malissa Smith is a historian specializing in women’s boxing who has authored two books on the subject. Last year, she released  “The Promise of Women’s Boxing.”

BoxingScene caught up with Smith to talk about the undercard of Friday’s third fight between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano from Madison Square Garden in New York City. The bout will stream on Netflix.

Smith: The Ellie Scotney-Yamileth Mercado fight, I think, will be a very good one. Mercado is a good fighter; she has a win over Mariana Juarez. She did lose to Amanda Serrano, but she refused to go down. That is a compelling fight. It is important for Scotney, because she is 10-0, and it opens the door for undisputed down the line. 

It is nice to see Savannah Marshall back in the ring after being out for so long. I like the Cherneka Johnson-Shurretta Metcalf fight. Metcalf just captured the IBF bantamweight title by defeating Miyo Yoshida in October. It is a chance for Metcalf to up her profile. Johnson, I really like as a fighter; she has great skills. It is an interesting matchup. I think Johnson wins the fight because she has solid fundamentals, but it will make for a compelling story.

Chantelle Cameron has this sad, sad story. The whole thing with Katie Taylor [losing the undisputed junior welterweight championship in their rematch] has her feeling out of it. Her coming back gives her an opportunity to get back on top. It might set up a Katie Taylor trilogy. She is fighting Jessica Camara, who is uneven. I think it is an opportunity for Cameron to win. 

Then, there is Alycia Baumgardner. This is a gimme fight. Jennifer Miranda is from Spain and has basically only fought in Spain. I think this is an opportunity for Baumgardner to get back in the swing of things. This is a tune-up until something more compelling comes along, maybe Serrano down the line?

BS: What are the stakes for Savannah Marshall-Shadasia Green?

Smith: To me, even when Green won three years ago against Elin Cederroos, she gets tired. She starts off with some pop, and she gets tired. I saw it in her fight with Olivia Curry. It is like she gets worn down. Against Franchon Crews-Dezurn, that fight really took the wind out of her. In her last two fights, I don’t see the pop anymore. I'm not sure I understand why. This is an opportunity for her to put a stamp on things. This is her last shot to show that she is an elite-class boxer.  

As for Marshall, she has to decide if she wants to box or not. She hasn’t boxed in two years. She has to decide if this is what she really wants to do. 

I feel that is the case with Marshall and Chantelle [Cameron]. It is interesting to me that they signed with MVP. I’m not entirely sure why they signed them both. In a lot of ways, both boxers represent the past rather than the future, unless they are able to be compelling and reign in their divisions for the next two years. 

BS: What are your expectations for Baumgardner?

Smith: I expect she comes out like a flash of lightning and doesn’t stop until she wins by some kind of TKO or something like that. I see her overwhelming her opponent, maybe getting her to quit on the stool. She needs that type of performance to prove herself as elite and deserving of the undisputed title. She could move up or down in weight. A fight with her and [lightweight titleholder] Caroline Dubois would be a very interesting fight. 

BS: If you were to pick an upset on the undercard, who would it be? 

Smith: I think Metcalf over Johnson for one, Camara over Cameron, for two. If Cameron lost, it would be shocking. My hope is that Cameron is over [what she has been through], she is going to take this shot, and overwhelm Camara. I like Camara, but in this fight, she is an opponent. Camara is strong, clever and has some good moves, but she lost when she stepped up in competition. 

Metcalf is a rangy fighter, but I think Johnson has a foundation with her skill set. I really think Johnson should win this fight. I believe Metcalf is the underdog. If Metcalf won, that would really be something special.