Caroline Dubois has openly suggested that her American counterpart, Alycia Baumgardner, is "undoubtedly" nervous about the prospect of meeting her in the ring later this year. The British lightweight champion has sparked a heated war of words after she secured a unification victory over Terri Harper earlier this month, adding the WBC and WBO lightweight titles to her collection.
Baumgardner, who currently holds the IBF, WBO and WBA super‑featherweight belts, is set to defend her three crowns this weekend against Bo Mi Re Shin in New York. The bout will be broadcast live on Sky Sports beginning at 3 a.m.
on Saturday. While Baumgardner focuses on that fight, Dubois has repeatedly signaled that she wants a high‑profile clash with the American, yet she also believes Baumgardner 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 big name and she’s doing everything right from a promotional and build‑up perspective. That’s why fans are clamoring for a fight with her. I’d love to see her win." Dubois continued, "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 champion is clearly turning up the pressure, urging Baumgardner to accept a bout that would pit two of the sport’s rising stars against each other. She added, "She doesn’t want the fight.
Every time you hear Alycia Baumgardner’s name, the comment section lights up with my name. She says there are bigger fights elsewhere, but every time people talk about Alycia, they bring me up. Fans are calling for Alycia versus Caroline Dubois.
I don’t see why we shouldn’t give the fans what they want. It’s a great fight. It all comes down to whether MVP – her promoter – wants the fight and whether she can finally find her courage." Dubois has not shied away from playing the role of the outspoken provocateur. "I don’t think I’m playing the villain.
I’m just exuding confidence and people get triggered by that," she said. "I know I was a 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, and if that triggers anyone, that’s their problem." Should a bout with Baumgardner fail to materialise, Dubois has other options on the horizon. The lightweight division is stacked with talent, and she could target other champions. On May 30, Stephanie Han and Holly Holm are scheduled to contest the WBA lightweight title, while unbeaten, hard‑hitting Elif Nur Turhan currently holds the IBF belt at 135 lb.
Dubois expressed a particular interest in Turhan, stating, "I don’t think she’s a good fighter, but she’s a very dangerous one. I don’t think the fight would be easy, but it would be dangerous, and that’s what makes it exciting." Dubois concluded by emphasizing her ambition: "I want to keep progressing.
I want to be involved in the biggest fights and build a lasting legacy. I’ve already unified titles, and I’d love to do it again." In summary, Dubois is positioning herself as the confident, outspoken champion who believes Baumgardner is hesitant to accept a showdown, while also keeping her options open within the lightweight ranks. She remains determined to fight the best opponents, whether that means a future clash with Baumgardner, a bout against Turhan, or another high‑stakes matchup that can cement her place among the sport’s elite.
The upcoming Baumgardner‑Shin fight on Sky Sports will be a key indicator of how the American champion handles pressure, and whether Dubois’s claims about her opponent’s fear hold any weight. Fans can catch the Baumgardner versus Bo Mi Re Shin fight live on Sky Sports Action and Main Event starting at 3 a.m.
Saturday morning.