Caroline Dubois has announced that she will no longer be working with long‑time trainer Shane McGuigan as she prepares to defend her WBC and WBO lightweight crowns against Amelia Moore in Birmingham on August 29, a bout that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The split marks the end of a partnership that began in 2021 and produced a string of impressive victories for the 25‑year‑old British champion. McGuigan, widely respected as one of the premier boxing coaches in the world, first linked up with Dubois two years ago.
Under his guidance she secured wins over Maira Moneo and Bo Mi Re Shin, and most notably captured the unification bout against Terri Harper in April, adding both the WBC and WBO belts to her résumé. Their collaboration was praised for its technical precision and strategic planning, helping Dubois quickly rise to the top of the women’s lightweight division.
Despite the success, Dubois disclosed that she has chosen to join forces with Manny Robles, a celebrated trainer who has worked with the likes of Andy Ruiz Jr., Oscar Valdez and Brandon Figueroa. The decision, she explained, stems solely from her relentless ambition to dominate the sport and does not reflect any ill‑will toward McGuigan. "Most fighters part ways with a coach after a loss, looking for someone to blame.
That’s a weak move," she said. "I’m incredibly proud of what Shane and I achieved together.
He helped me become a unified world champion and put me on the biggest stage in women’s boxing. I’m grateful for his guidance and will always cherish that period of my career." Dubois continued, "I want to thank Shane for being an outstanding coach and a vital part of my team. His work will never be forgotten; it becomes part of my foundation and pushes me forward.
My quest for greatness means I’m willing to explore new environments, and moving to the United States to train with a different team is a key part of that journey." She emphasized her belief that a fighter should never stop learning or limiting themselves. "I aim to grow, develop, and become the best fighter anyone has ever seen. A champion must constantly evolve, and that’s why I’m embracing this change." The upcoming fight with Amelia Moore will be contested at 135 pounds over ten two‑minute rounds at the BP Pulse LIVE Arena.
The event will also feature headline bouts between Mikaela Mayer and Chantelle Cameron, creating an all‑female card that showcases talent from both the United Kingdom and the United States. While Dubois is eager to defend her titles, she expressed frustration that the matchup is a defense rather than another unification bout. She had previously pursued a fight with Turkish contender Elif Nur Turhan, but negotiations fell apart over what Dubois described as an "astronomical, ridiculous" purse demand.
"The amount she asked for was absurd—so high it sounded like a joke. It’s the kind of money that would let someone retire forever," Dubois remarked, adding that she would rather wait for a more realistic offer.
Nevertheless, Dubois remains optimistic that a clash with Turhan will eventually materialize. In the meantime, she is also eyeing a potential showdown with WBA lightweight champion Stephanie Han, and earlier this year she publicly challenged Alycia Baumgardner, urging that their long‑awaited bout happen "sooner rather than later." McGuigan, reflecting on his former protégé’s future, has consistently voiced confidence in Dubois’s ability to capture every belt in the lightweight division. In 2023 he proclaimed her "the best lightweight in the world" and predicted she could become an undisputed champion across multiple weight classes, including super‑lightweight and welterweight.
"She’s still developing, getting better every day, and I genuinely believe she can achieve undisputed status at several divisions," he told Sky Sports. Former undisputed champion Ellie Scotney also weighed in, calling Dubois a "generational talent" who is only beginning to tap her potential. "There was nothing wrong with her situation; sometimes a change is necessary for growth, and I think she’s at that point," Scotney said. The Birmingham event, billed as MVPW‑06, will be streamed live on Sky Sports on August 29, offering fans the chance to watch Dubois’s title defense alongside the Mayer‑Cameron headline.
For those without a Sky Sports subscription, the fight can be accessed through various contract‑free streaming options, ensuring a broad audience can follow the action. In summary, Caroline Dubois’s decision to part with Shane McGuigan and align with Manny Robles underscores her commitment to continuous improvement and her ambition to cement her legacy as one of the sport’s all‑time greats. As she steps into the ring against Amelia Moore, she does so with a renewed training environment, a clear vision for her future, and the backing of a supportive boxing community that believes she has the talent to dominate multiple divisions for years to come.