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. McGuigan, widely regarded as one of the premier boxing coaches in the world, first teamed up with the 25‑year‑old British phenom in 2021. During their partnership, Dubois captured a series of high‑profile victories, including wins over Maira Moneo and Bo Mi Re Shin, and she secured a unification triumph over Terri Harper in April. Those achievements helped her ascend to the status of unified world champion and cement her place on the sport’s biggest stages.
In a recent interview, Dubois explained that her decision to join forces with Manny Robles – the celebrated trainer behind fighters such as Andy Ruiz Jr., Oscar Valdez and Brandon Figueroa – stems solely from her relentless desire to dominate the lightweight division. She emphasized that there is no animosity toward McGuigan, expressing deep gratitude for his contributions.
"Most of the time fighters leave a coach after a loss, looking for someone to blame. That's a weak move," Dubois said. "I’m incredibly happy and proud of the journey we shared. 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 that together." She continued, "A massive thank you to Shane McGuigan, who has been a phenomenal coach and an essential part of my team.
I feel honoured, proud and privileged to have worked with him." Dubois added that the work she and McGuigan accomplished will not be forgotten; instead, it will become part of her legacy and continue to strengthen her support network. She framed the move to the United States and a new coaching team as a strategic step in her quest for greatness. "I’m on a mission to be the best fighter anyone has ever seen. A boxer should never stop learning, growing, or limiting themselves," she asserted.
"Changing camps, moving to America, and embracing a different training philosophy are all part of that journey." The upcoming fight with Amelia Moore will be contested at 135 pounds over ten two‑minute rounds at the bp pulse LIVE Arena. The card will also feature headline bouts between Mikaela Mayer and Chantelle Cameron, creating an all‑female slate of match‑ups pitting UK talent against American contenders. Despite the excitement surrounding the Moore showdown, Dubois expressed frustration that she is being forced to defend her titles rather than pursue further unification.
She had previously tried to arrange a bout with Turkish contender Elif Nur Turhan, but the negotiations fell apart. "From what my promoters and team have told me, Turhan demanded an astronomically high purse. It was absurd – completely out of touch with reality," Dubois explained. "It was so ridiculous that it sounded like a joke.
If I told you the figure, you’d think I was making it up. She’s basically asking for retirement money, a sum that would never happen in a real fight." Dubois remains confident that a fight with Turhan will eventually materialise, but she is also looking toward a potential clash with WBA lightweight champion Stephanie Han.
Earlier this year, she publicly called out Alycia Baumgardner, urging that their long‑awaited encounter happen "sooner rather than later." When reflecting on Dubois’s ascent, McGuigan has not shied away from lofty predictions. In 2023 he told Sky Sports that he believed she could "capture all of the belts" and described her as "the best lightweight in the world." "Even though the lightweight division is probably the most competitive in women’s boxing, she’s blitzing everybody," he said.
"I truly think she can become an undisputed champion not only at lightweight but also at super‑lightweight and welterweight. She’s still developing, getting better every day." Former undisputed champion Ellie Scotney echoed that sentiment, telling Sky Sports, "Caroline is a generational talent and I think she’s only just scratching the surface. Sometimes you have to make a change even when nothing is going wrong.
She’s at that point now." The event, billed as MVPW‑06, will be streamed live on August 29 on Sky Sports, with options to watch via a contract‑free boxing streaming service for those without a traditional subscription. Fans are encouraged to use a Chrome browser for the best video experience. In summary, Dubois’s split from McGuigan marks the end of a highly successful partnership, but it also opens a new chapter in her career. By aligning with Manny Robles and relocating to the United States, she hopes to sharpen her skills, broaden her tactical toolbox, and continue her march toward undisputed status across multiple weight classes.
The upcoming defense against Amelia Moore will be the first test of this new arrangement, and the boxing world will be watching closely to see how the former unified champion adapts to a fresh coaching perspective while maintaining her relentless drive for excellence.