Caroline Dubois is being hailed as the next big star who can step into the void left by Katie Taylor, according to Nakisa Bidarian, a partner at Most Valuable Promotions. Bidarian believes that Dubois "has the ingredients" needed to follow in Taylor’s footsteps and become one of the sport’s most recognizable figures. Katie Taylor, the undisputed super‑lightweight world champion from Ireland, turned 40 in July and is set to close her professional career with a final showdown.
On September 5, she will defend her undisputed super‑lightweight title against Flora Pili in Dublin, a bout that is expected to be her swan song. The fight will be heavily promoted as the end of an era for one of women’s boxing’s most celebrated athletes.
A week before Taylor’s farewell, Dubois will step into the ring herself. The British lightweight world champion is scheduled to defend her WBC and WBO belts against American challenger Amelia Moore. The bout will be broadcast live on Sky Sports as part of the undercard for the highly anticipated clash between Chantelle Cameron and Mikaela Mayer.
This event offers Dubois a prime platform to showcase her skill set and to reinforce her unbeaten record. In an interview with Sky Sports, Bidarian reflected on the legacy of the sport’s recent trailblazers. "For me, the poster fighters of the sport have been Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor," she said. "Both women have broken barriers and opened doors for the next generation.
It’s sad to see that arc transition in September for Katie, and I think Amanda probably has one more fight left after August 21." Bidarian went on to emphasize that women’s boxing is stronger than ever. "It’s a young sport that only became an Olympic event in 2012, and Katie was a huge beneficiary of that inclusion," she noted.
"She has built a storied career, and we feel optimistic about the future because we have a deep roster of talent. Caroline Dubois, in particular, possesses a blend of qualities reminiscent of Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano, Laila Ali, Christy Martin and even Ronda Rousey." The commentator highlighted that while the sport will miss the presence of both Taylor and Serrano in the ring, the overall health of women’s boxing remains robust.
"The sport will certainly miss Katie and the ring will miss Amanda, but we are in a great place overall," Bidarian concluded. Across the broader landscape, undisputed heavyweight champion Claressa Shields is already being described as the definitive No. 1 pound‑for‑pound fighter in women’s boxing. Her promoter, Dmitry Salita, made that claim earlier this year, pointing to Shields’ unparalleled record: 18 wins, 0 losses, and championships in three weight classes.
Salita told Sky Sports that while he has great respect for Taylor’s historic contributions, Shields now carries the mantle of the sport’s top star. "Katie Taylor is a historic figure in boxing, and I’m a fan of hers both personally and professionally," Salita said.
"That said, Claressa Shields is definitively the No. 1 pound‑for‑pound fighter in women’s boxing today.
What separates Claressa is not just what she’s accomplished in the ring, but the totality of her impact. There’s an ‘it’ factor – the ability to headline, sell out arenas, create moments, and carry events regardless of the opponent.
She may be the first woman in the history of the sport to consistently sell out major arenas regardless of who she faces." Shields, now 31, is currently dropping down from heavyweight to middleweight in an effort to capture another world title. She is slated to fight Australian contender Kaye Scott in Atlanta this weekend. This bout could serve as a stepping stone toward a blockbuster showdown with Britain’s own world champion Lauren Price, who currently holds three of the four welterweight belts.
Negotiations for a Shields‑Price fight have been ongoing for some time. Salita remains hopeful despite previous impasses. "When Claressa went to Wales, we believed we had the framework of a deal in place, and we’re still operating in that spirit," he told Sky Sports.
"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." Salita added, "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." The upcoming MVPW‑06 event in Birmingham, headlined by Mikaela Mayer versus Chantelle Cameron and featuring Caroline Dubois, will be broadcast live on August 29 via Sky Sports. Fans can also stream the fight without a contract through Sky Sports’ boxing streaming service. Looking ahead to 2026, the boxing calendar is already filling up with marquee matchups across weight classes.
The sport’s governing bodies and promoters are working to ensure that the momentum built by trailblazers like Taylor, Serrano, and Shields continues to translate into high‑profile fights that attract mainstream attention. With young talents such as Dubois emerging, the next generation appears poised to carry the torch, delivering compelling narratives, technical excellence, and the star power needed to sustain the growth of women’s boxing for years to come. In summary, Caroline Dubois is being positioned as the heir apparent to Katie Taylor’s legacy. Her upcoming defense against Amelia Moore, combined with the endorsement from industry insiders like Nakisa Bidarian, underscores the belief that she possesses a rare combination of skill, charisma, and marketability.
As Taylor prepares to hang up her gloves and Shields continues to dominate multiple divisions, the sport stands at a crossroads where seasoned champions and rising stars will together shape the future of women’s boxing.