Claressa Shields, the celebrated multi‑division champion, has suggested that Alycia Baumgardner is avoiding a showdown with rising British star Caroline Dubois because she is afraid of another loss. Baumgardner, who currently holds the WBA, IBF, WBO and The Ring super‑featherweight titles, has repeatedly dismissed the idea of a bout with Dubois, calling it premature and insisting that the British fighter has not yet reached her level.
Despite those remarks, Dubois has continued to chase Baumgardner, especially after she cemented her own status by unifying the division above with a victory over Terri Harper in April. The upcoming co‑main event at MVPW‑06 in Birmingham will see Dubois take on unbeaten former U.S. Olympian Amelia Moore, while Mikaela Mayer squares off against Chantelle Cameron.
The entire card will be broadcast live on Sky Sports this Saturday, and Dubois has already signaled that she wants Baumgardner as her next opponent. Having moved through several weight classes herself, Shields knows the challenges of stepping up in size and weight.
She explained to Sky Sports why she believes Baumgardner is reluctant to accept Dubois' challenge: "When someone five pounds heavier is constantly knocking on your door, bragging about how they’ll knock you out, you’d expect Alycia to step up, take the fight and prove her greatness. Instead, I think she’s 100 percent scared of Caroline and doesn’t want to risk her record now that she already has one loss. I believe Caroline will win that fight." Shields also highlighted Dubois' potential to become the next dominant figure in women's boxing, even suggesting she could fill the void when Shields eventually hangs up her gloves. "They asked me who I think will carry the torch after I’m gone and I said Caroline Dubois.
Gabriela Fundora will be a champion to watch, but right now Caroline is right there. She’s calling out the biggest names, she wants the best fights, she’s confident, loud, aggressive, scoring knockouts and doing it at the perfect time," Shields said. Baumgardner is slated to move up to lightweight for a bout against IBF champion Elif Nur Turhan on November 8, a fight that could bring a potential blockbuster clash with Dubois a step closer.
Meanwhile, Shields, who has amassed an unbeaten 19‑fight record and two Olympic gold medals, continues to proclaim herself the Greatest Woman Of All Time (GWOAT). She has repeatedly expressed admiration for Dubois, noting that the young Briton is already making a name for herself and could become the next standard‑bearer for the sport. "Caroline has her own brand," Shields said. "If she wants to be called the GWOAT, and she’s breaking records and collecting accolades, I’m not going to be upset as long as she keeps doing GWOAT things—fighting the best, winning, and stacking belts.
My achievements will be hard to surpass; I just became a 21‑time world champion last week, but Caroline has the 'IT' factor and she’ll fight anyone. I’ll be there supporting her.
If she ever needs me in camp, she knows I’ll be there. We joke about sparring; one day it will happen.
She’s already asked me for advice and I told her to enjoy her career, make it her own, stay prepared and never underestimate opponents." Dubois, the unified WBC and WBO lightweight champion, is widely regarded as one of the hottest prospects in British and women’s boxing. A victory over Moore in Birmingham would move her a step closer to undisputed status and further cement her reputation as a future legend.
Shields has taken a keen interest in Dubois' trajectory, pledging to back her wherever her career leads. The broader boxing landscape in 2026 remains vibrant, with fans eagerly awaiting marquee match‑ups across weight classes.
While some speculate about when the next big fight will happen, platforms like NOW offer contract‑free streaming for those who want to watch the sport without commitments. Meanwhile, the Toe2Toe podcast continues to deliver weekly insights into the world of boxing, providing fans with analysis, interviews, and behind‑the‑scenes stories. In summary, the tension between Baumgardner and Dubois adds another compelling storyline to an already exciting year for women’s boxing.
With Shields championing Dubois and hinting at a future mentorship, the sport may soon witness a new era led by the young Briton. Whether Baumgardner will finally accept the challenge or continue to avoid it remains to be seen, but the anticipation surrounding a potential clash is already building among fans and pundits alike. The upcoming events on Sky Sports, including the Mayer‑Cameron bout and Dubois’ fight against Moore, promise to deliver high‑octane action and further fuel the conversation about who will ultimately claim the mantle of the greatest woman boxer of this generation.