Caroline Dubois is being hailed by Most Valuable Promotions partner Nakisa Bidarian as the boxer who has all the right attributes to step into the void that Katie Taylor will leave as one of the sport's premier figures. The Irish champion, who holds the undisputed super‑lightweight world titles, turned 40 in July and is set to close her professional career with a final showdown for the undisputed super‑lightweight crown against Flora Pili in Dublin on September 5.
While Taylor prepares for that historic farewell bout, a younger contender is gearing up to continue the momentum of women's boxing. A week before Taylor's last fight, Dubois, the reigning lightweight world champion, will step into the ring to defend her WBC and WBO belts against American challenger Amelia Moore. The contest will be broadcast live on Sky Sports as part of the undercard for the highly anticipated match between Chantelle Cameron and Mikaela Mayer. In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Bidarian explained why she believes Dubois is the natural heir to the throne.
"For me, the poster fighters of the sport have been Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor. Both of them have been true trailblazers," Bidarian said. "It’s bittersweet to see that transition in September for Katie. I think Amanda may have one more fight after August 21, but women's boxing has never been stronger.
It’s a relatively young sport that only entered the Olympic programme in 2012, a change that Katie helped to accelerate, and she has built a legendary career on that foundation." Bidarian went on to outline the specific qualities she sees in Dubois, drawing parallels to a roster of iconic female pugilists. "Caroline Dubois possesses the blend of Katie Taylor’s technical precision, Amanda Serrano’s relentless aggression, Laila Ali’s marketability, Christy Martin’s toughness, and even the cross‑disciplinary charisma of Ronda Rousey.
She has the ingredients to become the next face of the sport," she asserted. The conversation then shifted to another dominant figure in women’s boxing: Claressa Shields. According to her promoter Dmitry Salita, Shields is already the unequivocal number one pound‑for‑pound fighter in the women’s game. Shields, a two‑time Olympic gold medallist, has amassed an unbeaten record of 18‑0 and has captured undisputed titles in three different weight classes, including the heavyweight division.
When asked about Shields’ standing as Taylor’s career winds down, Salita replied, "Katie Taylor is a historic figure in boxing, and I have always been a fan of her contributions. That said, Claressa Shields is definitively the top pound‑for‑pound fighter in women’s boxing today. What separates her is not only her in‑ring achievements but the totality of her impact. She has that ‘it’ factor – the ability to headline events, sell out arenas, and create memorable moments regardless of the opponent." Shields is currently planning a drop from heavyweight back to middleweight in an effort to reclaim a world title at 160 pounds.
She will face Australian contender Kaye Scott in Atlanta this weekend, a bout that could serve as a stepping stone toward a blockbuster showdown with Britain’s own Lauren Price, who currently holds three of the four welterweight belts. Negotiations for a Shields‑Price clash have been ongoing for months. Salita remains optimistic despite a recent impasse, stating, "When Claressa went to Wales we believed we had a framework in place, and we’re still operating in that spirit. I believe we’re close.
Claressa is moving down to 160 pounds because she wants to make this fight happen. She’s already accomplished so much, but she’s always looking for the biggest global fights." "Lauren is an outstanding fighter and an Olympic gold medallist. This is one of the biggest fights that can be made in women’s boxing, and we’re confident it will happen.
Claressa has always done her part to make the biggest fights possible, and this is no different. We’re ready to continue the discussions," Salita added. The upcoming MVPW‑06 event in Birmingham, headlined by Mikaela Mayer versus Chantelle Cameron and featuring Dubois on the card, underscores the growing depth of talent in the women’s division.
The fight will be aired live on August 29 via Sky Sports, and fans can also stream the action without a contract through various online platforms. Overall, the landscape of women’s boxing is entering a new era. While the sport will undoubtedly miss the presence of icons like Taylor and Serrano, the emergence of fighters such as Caroline Dubois and Claressa Shields ensures that the momentum continues.
Their blend of skill, charisma, and market appeal is set to attract new audiences, secure lucrative sponsorships, and keep the sport in the global spotlight. As the next generation steps up, the future looks bright for women’s boxing, promising exciting match‑ups, record‑breaking attendances, and a broader acceptance of the sport worldwide.