Caroline Dubois has announced that she will no longer be training under 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 comes after a productive partnership that began in 2021, during which McGuigan helped shape Dubois into one of the sport’s most exciting young talents. When Dubois first stepped into McGuigan’s camp, the Irish‑born trainer was already regarded as one of the world’s elite coaches, having worked with a roster of champions across multiple weight classes. Under his guidance, the 25‑year‑old British fighter amassed a string of impressive victories, including wins over Maira Moneo and Bo Mi Re Shin, and most notably a unification triumph over Terri Harper in April that cemented her status as a unified world champion.
Despite the success they shared, Dubois decided to make a strategic change and align herself with Manny Robles, the high‑profile trainer known for shaping the careers of Andy Ruiz Jr., Oscar Valdez and Brandon Figueroa. She emphasized that the move was motivated solely by her relentless pursuit of greatness, not by any dissatisfaction with McGuigan.
"Most fighters leave a coach after a loss and look for someone to blame. That’s a weak approach," Dubois explained. "I’m incredibly grateful for everything Shane has done for me. He’s been a phenomenal coach and an essential part of my team." Dubois reflected on the partnership, saying, "I’m proud of the journey we’ve taken together.
With Shane’s guidance I became a unified world champion, I announced myself on the biggest stage in women’s boxing, and we achieved all of that together. I want to thank Shane for his dedication, his expertise, and his unwavering support. I feel honored and privileged to have had him in my corner." The decision to relocate to the United States and train under a new coaching staff is part of Dubois’s broader quest for dominance.
"My goal is to be the best fighter anyone has ever seen. A champion never stops learning or evolving, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to reach that level," she said. "Moving to America and working with a different team is just one piece of that puzzle." The upcoming fight against 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, making it an all‑female card that pits top talent from the United Kingdom against fighters from the United States. While Dubois is eager to defend her titles, she expressed frustration at the current landscape, which has forced her into a defensive stance rather than pursuing further unification fights.
She had previously sought a bout 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 – it sounded like a joke.
If I told you the figure, you’d think I was exaggerating," Dubois laughed. "She’s basically asking for retirement money, not a fight fee.
That’s not a realistic offer for a competitive matchup." Despite the setback, Dubois remains optimistic that a fight with Turhan could materialize in the future. She also hinted at a potential clash with WBA lightweight champion Stephanie Han, and earlier this year she publicly called out Alycia Baumgardner, urging that their highly anticipated showdown happen "sooner rather than later." McGuigan, speaking to Sky Sports after the split, reiterated his belief in Dubois’s abilities.
He praised her as "the best lightweight in the world" and noted that the lightweight division is perhaps the most fiercely contested segment of women’s boxing today. "Even though the division is stacked, she’s blitzing everyone," he said. McGuigan also predicted that Dubois could eventually capture undisputed status across multiple weight classes, including super‑lightweight and welterweight, adding, "She’s still developing, and she gets better every day." Former undisputed champion Ellie Scotney also weighed in, describing Dubois as a generational talent who is only beginning to tap her potential.
"Caroline is a generational talent and I think she’s just scratching the surface," Scotney told Sky Sports. "There was nothing wrong with her situation; sometimes a change is necessary for growth, and I think she’s at that point in her career." The fight night on August 29 promises to be a marquee event for women’s boxing, with Dubois’s appearance adding another layer of intrigue.
Viewers can watch the entire card, including the main event between Mayer and Cameron, live on Sky Sports or stream the action via a contract‑free boxing service. As Dubois steps into the ring under a new coach, all eyes will be on whether her decision to switch camps will translate into another dominant performance and bring her one step closer to the ultimate goal of undisputed greatness across multiple divisions.