Caroline Dubois has openly suggested that her American counterpart Alycia Baumgardner is "most definitely" feeling some nerves ahead of a potential showdown later this year. The British fighter has been sparring with the media ever since she secured a victory over Terri Harper earlier in the month, a win that handed her the WBC and WBO lightweight crowns and set the stage for a unification bout. Dubois’s comments come as Baumgardner prepares to defend her IBF, WBO and WBA super‑featherweight belts against Bo Mi Re Shin in New York, a fight that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports at 3 a.m.
on Saturday. Dubois has made it crystal clear that she wants a high‑profile clash with Baumgardner, 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.
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." She then added a note of caution: "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 star is turning up the heat, urging Baumgardner to step into the ring with her. "She doesn’t want the fight," Dubois said.
"Every time you hear Alycia Baumgardner, the name that is constantly coming up in the comments is Caroline Dubois. She says that there are bigger fights elsewhere but every time people associate Alycia, they associate her with me. 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]." Dubois has shown no signs of backing down, mirroring the blunt style she used during the Harper campaign. "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.
"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 the Baumgardner bout does not materialise, Dubois has other options on her radar.
The lightweight division is stacked with talent, and she could target other champions. For example, Stephanie Han and Holly Holm are set to contest the WBA title on May 30, while unbeaten, hard‑hitting Elif Nur Turhan currently holds the IBF belt at 135 pounds. Dubois expressed a particular interest in Turhan, noting, "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’s ultimate ambition remains clear: to keep climbing the ladder, to fight the biggest names, and to cement a lasting legacy. "I want to continue my own progression," she said.
"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." The ongoing war of words between Dubois and Baumgardner reflects a broader narrative in women’s boxing, where rivalries often fuel public interest and help push the sport into the mainstream. By openly challenging Baumgardner and calling out her promoter, Dubois is not only seeking a lucrative payday but also trying to shape the future fight landscape.
Her willingness to call out perceived hesitation—"find her courage"—adds a psychological layer to the potential matchup, making the eventual bout (if it happens) more than just a clash of styles, but a battle of wills. Meanwhile, Baumgardner’s upcoming defense against Shin will be a litmus test for her own confidence. A strong performance could silence Dubois’s jabs and put pressure back on the British champion to deliver on her promise of a showdown.
Conversely, a stumble could give Dubois the leverage she craves, reinforcing her narrative that Baumgardner is indeed "most definitely" scared. Fans and pundits alike are watching closely, waiting to see whether the two will finally meet in the ring or continue their verbal sparring from opposite corners of the world.
The outcome will shape the trajectory of both athletes and could define the next chapter of women’s lightweight boxing. The drama is set, the stakes are high, and the boxing community is eager for the next move in this compelling saga.