Alycia Baumgardner made it clear that Caroline Dubois still has work to do before the American champion will consider stepping into the ring with the unified lightweight world champion. Baumgardner, who will defend her three‑belt WBA, WBO and IBF super‑featherweight titles against Bo Mi Re Shin on Sky Sports at 3 a.m. Saturday, said Dubois needs to cement her status before a high‑profile clash can be arranged. Dubois recently secured a victory over Terri Harper in a much‑anticipated grudge match that saw her capture the WBC and WBO lightweight crowns.
In the aftermath of that win, she publicly called out Baumgardner, demanding a showdown between the two champions. While Baumgardner did not dismiss the possibility outright, she emphasized that any future bout must be built on a solid foundation of achievement and mutual respect. Speaking to Sky Sports News, Baumgardner explained, "Every fight is a potential fight, but Caroline has to keep building her identity as a champion.
She’s talked a lot about becoming undisputed at 135 pounds while I’m still defending my titles at 130. If we want to create an entertaining fight, we need to work on the details together." She continued, "I’ve already put my skin in the game – I’ve delivered great shows and become undisputed in my division.
Now she needs to do the same and then officially call me out. I heard she might be looking at moving up to 147, which feels like she’s avoiding me.
Time will tell." Dubois, for her part, has other options on the table. Nakisa Bidarian, co‑founder of Most Valuable Promotions, told Sky Sports that Dubois should first tidy up the lightweight division before taking on Baumgardner.
"If she cleans up the field and gets close to undisputed status, the event will be much bigger," Bidarian said, adding that a rematch between Stephanie Han and Holly Holm on May 30 could serve as a convenient stepping stone for Caroline. In the super‑featherweight ranks, another potential opponent for Baumgardner is WBC champion Caroline Veyre.
Dmitriy Salita, Veyre’s promoter, expressed openness to a fight, stating, "We’re ready to move quickly if Alycia wins this weekend. Caroline has the skill, mindset and team to make it a compelling matchup." Most Valuable Promotions, the outfit founded by Bidarian and social‑media star Jake Paul, is aggressively building what it calls the deepest roster in women’s boxing. Their strategy, according to Bidarian, draws inspiration from the rise of Ronda Rousey in the UFC.
"From day one we wanted to make women’s boxing a central part of the combat‑sports ecosystem," she explained. "We now have over 45 fighters, 16 world champions, and we’re positioning ourselves as the go‑to brand for the sport." Bidarian also shared a personal motivation behind the venture.
Raised by a single mother, she has always wanted to support single‑parent families. "Seeing my mother’s struggle gave me a desire to give back, and when I saw the impact women’s MMA had with Rousey, I knew we could replicate that success in boxing," she said. Jake Paul’s involvement may seem unconventional, but Bidarian praised his enthusiasm. "Jake was supportive from day one and sees women’s boxing as even more exciting than the men’s game because of the raw intensity these athletes bring," she noted.
Paul’s large following among younger audiences aligns with the promotion’s goal of attracting a new generation of fans and fighters. The weekend’s card at Madison Square Garden features more than just Baumgardner vs.
Shin. In the super‑middleweight division, Shadasia Green will face Lani Daniels in a WBO and IBF title unification bout. A win for Green could set up a future clash with undisputed heavyweight champion Claressa Shields, a matchup that Bidarian says the promotion is eager to facilitate. Overall, the landscape of women’s boxing is evolving rapidly.
Baumgardner’s insistence that Dubois earn her spot reflects a broader trend: champions are demanding that challengers not only win fights but also build compelling narratives that attract viewers and sponsors. As promoters like Most Valuable Promotions continue to invest in talent development, marketing, and cross‑platform exposure, the sport is poised for greater mainstream visibility.
If Baumgardner retains her titles against Shin, the next logical step could be a high‑stakes showdown with either Dubois, if she consolidates the lightweight titles, or Veyre, should the WBC champion decide to move up. Both scenarios would likely generate significant pay‑per‑view interest and further cement women’s boxing as a marquee attraction. Fans can catch the Baumgardner‑Shin fight live on Sky Sports Action and Main Event, and the promotion encourages viewers to use Chrome for the best streaming experience.
The event promises to be a showcase of skill, determination, and the growing professionalism that is reshaping women’s combat sports.