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 at the BP Pulse LIVE Arena in Birmingham on August 29. The bout will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and will feature a ten‑round, two‑minute per round contest at 135 pounds, alongside a stacked card headlined by Mikaela Mayer versus Chantelle Cameron and featuring exclusively female fighters from the United Kingdom and the United States. McGuigan, widely regarded as one of the premier boxing coaches in the world, first began working with Dubois in 2021.
During their partnership, the British prodigy captured several key 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. The collaboration produced a rapid rise for Dubois, who has become one of the most recognizable names in women’s boxing. In a candid interview, Dubois explained that her decision to join forces with Manny Robles – the celebrated trainer behind Andy Ruiz Jr., Oscar Valdez and Brandon Figueroa – was motivated purely by a desire to continue her quest for dominance in the sport. She emphasized that her gratitude toward McGuigan remains intact.
"Most fighters leave a coach after a loss looking for a scapegoat; that’s a weak move," she said. "I’m incredibly proud of the journey we shared. With Shane’s guidance I became a unified champion, I announced myself on the biggest stage in women’s boxing, and he was a massive part of that success. I want to thank Shane for being a phenomenal coach; I’m honoured, proud and privileged to have been part of his team." Dubois added that the transition to a new coaching environment is part of a broader mission to achieve greatness.
"That work doesn’t disappear; it adds to the stable and helps me grow. Moving to America and training with a different team is a step on my path to becoming the best fighter ever.
A fighter should never stop learning or limit themselves," she explained. The split comes at a time when Dubois has expressed frustration with the current state of her title defenses.
She had been eager to arrange a unification 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.
It’s the kind of money that feels like retirement money, not a fight purse," Dubois said, adding that she would rather wait for a more realistic offer. While the Turhan fight remains on hold, Dubois is also eyeing a potential showdown with WBA lightweight champion Stephanie Han. Earlier this year she publicly challenged Alycia Baumgardner, insisting that their long‑awaited clash "has to happen sooner rather than later." These calls for high‑profile match‑ups underline Dubois’s ambition to unify more belts and eventually pursue undisputed status across multiple weight divisions. McGuigan, reflecting on his former protégé’s future, has repeatedly praised her talent.
In 2023 he predicted that Dubois would "capture all of the belts" and called her "the best lightweight in the world." He also hinted that she could eventually become an undisputed champion not only at lightweight but also at super‑lightweight and welterweight, noting that she continues to improve with each fight. Former undisputed champion Ellie Scotney echoed similar sentiments, describing Dubois as a "generational talent" who is only beginning to tap her full potential.
"Nothing was going wrong for her to make this move; sometimes a change is necessary, and I think she’s at that point in her career," Scotney told Sky Sports. The upcoming event on August 29 will be a significant test for Dubois.
Facing Amelia Moore, a rising star from the United States, she will need to adapt to a new coaching style while defending two world titles on a major broadcast platform. The fight will be part of a historic card that showcases the depth of female boxing talent on both sides of the Atlantic, offering fans a chance to see top‑level competition in a single night. For viewers, the bout will be accessible via Sky Sports, with streaming options available for those who prefer a contract‑free experience. The promotion also encourages fans to use Chrome for the best video playback quality.
In summary, Caroline Dubois’s decision to part ways with Shane McGuigan marks a pivotal moment in her career. While she remains deeply appreciative of the achievements they secured together, she believes that a new training environment under Manny Robles will provide the fresh perspective and resources needed to chase further greatness.
As she steps into the ring against Amelia Moore, the boxing world will be watching closely to see if her bold move pays off and propels her toward the ultimate goal of undisputed supremacy across multiple weight classes.