Caroline Dubois has openly suggested that her American counterpart Alycia Baumgardner is "most definitely" feeling the pressure of a potential showdown later this year. The British fighter has not been shy about sparking a war of words after she secured a victory over Terri Harper earlier this month, a win that brought together the WBC and WBO lightweight world titles under her belt. Baumgardner, meanwhile, is set to defend her IBF, WBO and WBA super‑featherweight crowns this weekend against South Korean challenger Bo Mi Re Shin in New York. The bout will be broadcast live on Sky Sports from the early hours of Saturday morning, beginning at 3 a.m.
local time. Dubois has repeatedly signaled that she wants a high‑profile clash with the American champion, but she also believes that Baumgardner may struggle against the tough Shin. "She’s fighting one of my opponents that I’ve already beaten," Dubois told Sky Sports. "I want her to win the fight.
I think she’s a huge name and she does all the right things promotion‑wise and build‑up‑wise. That’s why people want to fight her. I want to see her win the fight." Dubois added a note of caution about Shin’s abilities: "Knowing how tough Bo is, I think it will be a hard fight. I think Bo will expose what I know and what I see.
But I hope she can pull through it and have the better skills and win the fight." The London‑born boxer is clearly turning up the heat, urging Baumgardner to accept a meeting in the ring. She claims the American is avoiding the bout. "She doesn’t want the fight," Dubois said. "Every time you hear Alycia Baumgardner, the name that constantly comes up in the comments is Caroline Dubois.
She says there are bigger fights elsewhere but every time people associate Alycia, they associate her with me." Dubois argues that fans deserve the matchup: "They’re calling for Alycia versus Caroline Dubois. I don’t know why we shouldn’t give the fans what they want. It’s a great fight.
It’s going to be down to whether MVP [their promoter] want the fight and whether she can finally find her [courage]." Her verbal sparring mirrors the confidence she displayed after beating Harper. "I don’t think I play the villain. I think I play confidence and people are triggered by that.
I play confident. I am myself. I knew I was a better fighter than Terri Harper," the Briton explained.
She continued, "I don’t think I’m being a villain. I’m just saying the truth.
I’m saying how I feel and I’m not afraid to say it. A lot of people feel ways leading up to the fight but they don’t have the courage or the heart to say it. Because if they lose then they’re going to get called out for it.
I just have to be me and if people want to be triggered by that, that’s up to them." If a Baumgardner showdown cannot be arranged, Dubois has identified several alternative opponents within the lightweight division. The WBA title will be contested between Stephanie Han and Holly Holm on May 30, while the unbeaten, hard‑hitting Elif Nur Turhan currently holds the IBF belt at 135 lb. Dubois expressed interest in testing herself against Turhan rather than waiting for the outcome of the Han‑Holm clash. "I don’t think she’s a good fighter but she’s a very dangerous fighter.
I don’t think the fight is a hard fight but I think it’s a dangerous fight. That’s what makes it exciting," Dubois said. Looking ahead, Dubois is determined to keep climbing the ladder of elite competition.
"I want to continue my own progression," she concluded. "I want to be involved in the biggest fights. I obviously want to create a great legacy for myself. I’ve unified and I would love to do it again." Beyond the immediate drama, the situation highlights a broader trend in women’s boxing where champions are increasingly vocal about their ambitions and unafraid to call out each other publicly.
This new era of outspoken athletes is reshaping how fights are negotiated, with social media and televised interviews becoming crucial platforms for building hype and applying pressure on promoters. For Baumgardner, the upcoming defense against Shin will be a test of her adaptability and resilience. Shin, known for her relentless pressure and powerful combinations, poses a different stylistic challenge compared to the technical, speed‑driven approach Dubois favors.
If Baumgardner can navigate that test successfully, it could strengthen her bargaining position when discussions about a Dubois clash resume. Conversely, Dubois’s strategy of maintaining a high‑profile narrative may serve to keep her name at the forefront of fans’ minds, ensuring that when the time comes for a unification bout, the demand will be undeniable. Her willingness to label herself as confident rather than a villain reflects a savvy understanding of modern sports marketing, where personality can be as valuable as performance.
In summary, the rivalry between Caroline Dubois and Alycia Baumgardner is more than a simple pre‑fight banter; it represents a clash of ambitions, styles, and promotional philosophies. Whether the two will finally meet in the ring remains uncertain, but the ongoing dialogue guarantees that both fighters will continue to attract attention, sponsorship, and, ultimately, the biggest possible pay‑days in women’s boxing.
Fans can watch the Baumgardner versus Shin contest live on Sky Sports Action and Main Event when it kicks off at 3 a.m. Saturday, offering a glimpse of the kind of high‑octane action that both Dubois and Baumgardner aspire to deliver in a future showdown.