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 shied away from a war of words after she secured a unification victory over Terri Harper earlier in the month, taking both the WBC and WBO lightweight belts.
Dubois’ comments come as Baumgardner prepares to defend her trio of super‑featherweight titles – the IBF, WBO and WBA – against Bo Mi Re Shin in New York, a bout that will be streamed live on Sky Sports at 3 a.m. on Saturday. Dubois has repeatedly signaled her desire to meet Baumgardner in a marquee clash, but she also believes the American champion will have a tough night against Shin. "She’s fighting one of my opponents that I’ve already beaten," Dubois told Sky Sports.
"I want her to win the fight. She’s a huge name and she does everything right in terms of promotion and build‑up. That’s why fans want to see her fight.
I’d love to see her win." She added a note of caution about Shin’s toughness: "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, show better skills and win the fight." Dubois is clearly using this upcoming contest as leverage, turning up the pressure on Baumgardner to accept a bout with her. The British champion has been vocal about the public’s appetite for a Dubois‑Baumgardner showdown. "She doesn’t want the fight," Dubois said.
"Every time you hear Alycia Baumgardner’s name, the comments keep mentioning Caroline Dubois. She says there are bigger fights elsewhere, but every time people talk about Alycia they also bring me up.
Fans are calling for Alycia versus Caroline. I don’t see why we shouldn’t give the fans what they want.
It would be a great fight. It just depends on whether MVP – their promoter – wants it and whether she can finally find the courage to step up." Dubois has not softened her tone since the Harper victory.
"I don’t think I’m playing the villain. I’m just confident, and people get triggered by that," she explained. "I know I was the better fighter than Terri Harper, and I’m not afraid to say it. A lot of people feel a certain way before a fight but lack the courage to voice it, because if they lose they’ll be called out.
I’m just being myself. If people get triggered, that’s on them." If a Baumgardner bout does not materialise, Dubois has other options on the lightweight horizon.
The division boasts several champions, including Stephanie Han and Holly Holm, who are set to clash for the WBA title on May 30, and the unbeaten, power‑punching Elif Nur Turhan, who holds the IBF belt at 135 lb. Dubois expressed a particular interest in Turhan, saying, "I don’t think she’s a good fighter, but she’s very dangerous. It wouldn’t be an easy fight, but the danger makes it exciting." Dubois emphasized her long‑term ambitions, stating, "I want to keep progressing.
I want to be part of the biggest fights and build a great legacy. I’ve already unified titles and I’d love to do it again." Her confidence, coupled with a willingness to call out opponents publicly, suggests she will continue to be a vocal figure in the sport, whether or not a bout with Baumgardner eventually happens.
The upcoming Baumgardner‑Shin fight will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Action and Main Event, starting at 3 a.m. Saturday, offering fans a glimpse of the American champion’s form before any potential Dubois showdown. Regardless of the outcome, the rivalry between Dubois and Baumgardner appears set to intensify, with both fighters positioning themselves as the premier talent in their weight classes and as marquee attractions for the sport’s global audience.