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, a bout that will be shown live on Sky Sports. The split marks the end of a partnership that began in 2021, when the rising British star first linked up with the highly respected Irish trainer, whose reputation as one of the sport’s elite coaches has only grown in recent years.
During their time together, Dubois and McGuigan enjoyed a period of impressive success. Under his guidance she secured victories over Maira Moneo and Bo Mi Re Shin, and most notably captured the unified lightweight titles by defeating Terri Harper in a hard‑fought showdown in April. Those achievements cemented her status as a dominant force in women’s boxing and elevated both her and McGuigan’s profiles on the global stage.
In a candid interview, Dubois explained that her decision to join forces with Manny Robles – the celebrated trainer behind champions such as Andy Ruiz Jr., Oscar Valdez and Brandon Figueroa – was motivated purely by a desire to keep pushing the boundaries of her own performance. She emphasized that the move was not a reaction to any failure, but a strategic step in her ongoing quest for greatness. "Most fighters change coaches after a loss and look for someone to blame.
That’s a weak approach," she said. "I’m incredibly grateful for everything Shane has done for me, but I believe a new environment in the United States and a fresh coaching perspective will help me reach the next level." Dubois praised McGuigan’s contributions, describing him as a "phenomenal coach" and acknowledging that the work they accomplished together will not be forgotten. "We built a unified world championship, we put women’s boxing on the biggest stage, and Shane was a massive part of that journey," she added. "I feel honored, proud and privileged to have been part of his team." The upcoming fight with Moore will be contested at 135 pounds over ten two‑minute rounds, sharing the card with headline bouts featuring Mikaela Mayer versus Chantelle Cameron.
The entire event is billed as a showcase of female talent from the United Kingdom and the United States, underscoring the growing international interest in women’s boxing. Despite the excitement surrounding her title defense, Dubois expressed frustration that she is being asked to defend rather than unify the belts. She revealed that she had pursued a unification bout with Turkey’s Elif Nur Turhan, but negotiations fell apart over what she described as an "astronomical" purse demand. "The amount she asked for was absurd – it sounded like a joke," Dubois said.
"It was so far beyond anything realistic that it seemed like she was just playing games. That kind of money feels more like a retirement payout than a fight purse." Dubois remains confident that a fight with Turhan will eventually materialise, but she is also looking ahead to potential match‑ups with other top contenders, including WBA lightweight champion Stephanie Han. Earlier in the year she publicly called out American prospect Alycia Baumgardner, urging that their highly anticipated clash happen "sooner rather than later." McGuigan, reflecting on Dubois’s career, has repeatedly voiced his belief that she has the capacity to capture every belt in the lightweight division and beyond. In 2023 he told Sky Sports that she was "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 truly believe she can dominate at several divisions," he said. Former undisputed champion Ellie Scotney also weighed in, 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 for growth," Scotney explained.
"She’s at a point in her career where seeking new challenges makes perfect sense." The fight will be streamed on Sky Sports, with options to watch without a long‑term contract through various streaming platforms. Fans are encouraged to use the Chrome browser for the best video experience. As the date approaches, anticipation builds not only for Dubois’s performance against Moore but also for the broader narrative of her evolving career, her willingness to step out of her comfort zone, and the continued rise of women’s boxing on the world stage. In summary, Caroline Dubois’s split from Shane McGuigan is a calculated move aimed at furthering her development under Manny Robles’s tutelage.
While she cherishes the achievements and mentorship she received from McGuigan, she believes that a new training environment will provide the tools needed to achieve her ultimate goal: becoming an undisputed champion and one of the most celebrated fighters in boxing history. The upcoming bout in Birmingham will serve as the first test of this new chapter, and all eyes will be on Dubois as she strives to defend her titles and demonstrate that the change in coaching has only strengthened her resolve.