Claressa Shields, a veteran multi‑division champion, has suggested that Alycia Baumgardner is avoiding a showdown with rising British star Caroline Dubois because she is terrified of adding another loss to her record. The WBA, IBF, WBO and The Ring super‑featherweight champion has repeatedly dismissed the notion of a bout with Dubois, calling it premature and insisting that the 22‑year‑old Briton has not yet reached her level. Despite Baumgardner’s public reluctance, Dubois has kept the pressure on, continuing her hunt for the American after she secured a unification win over Terri Harper in April.
Dubois is slated to face unbeaten former U.S. Olympian Amelia Moore in the co‑main event of MVPW‑06 in Birmingham, a card that also features Mikaela Mayer versus Chantelle Cameron. The fight will be broadcast live on Sky Sports this Saturday, and Dubois has already signaled that she wants Baumgardner to be her next opponent.
As someone who has moved up and down weight classes herself, Shields feels qualified to comment on why Baumgardner might be shying away from the challenge. "When you have someone who’s five pounds heavier, knocking on your door, bragging about how they’ll knock you out, you’d expect Alycia to step up, gain those five pounds and prove herself," Shields told Sky Sports.
"I think Baumgardner is 100 percent scared of Caroline. She doesn’t want to jeopardise the one loss she already has on her record. I believe Caroline will win that fight." The conversation about Dubois has taken on a larger narrative within women’s boxing. Some analysts are already comparing her to the late‑career greats, suggesting she possesses the "ingredients" to become the next dominant force after Katie Taylor.
In a broader look at the sport’s future, boxing fans are asking when the next blockbuster fights will materialise, especially as streaming platforms like NOW offer contract‑free access to major bouts. Baumgardner is scheduled to move up to lightweight for a fight against IBF champion Elif Nur Turhan on November 8. That move could bring her a step closer to a potential showdown with Dubois, but the timing remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, Shields, who has amassed an unbeaten 19‑fight record and claimed a 21st world title last week, continues to assert that she has already identified her successor. "When they asked me who will carry the torch after I’m gone, I said Caroline Dubois," Shields said. "Gabriela Fundora will be a champion, but right now Caroline is right there.
She’s calling out the biggest names, demanding the best fights, and she’s delivering knockouts. She’s confident, loud, and she’s doing everything that makes a GWOAT." Dubois, currently the unified WBC and WBO lightweight champion, is one of the most exciting prospects in British and women’s boxing. A victory over Moore would bring her a step closer to undisputed status and further cement her reputation as a future legend. Shields has expressed a genuine interest in Dubois’ career trajectory, pledging support regardless of the path the young fighter chooses.
"Caroline has her own brand now," Shields explained. "If she wants to be called the Greatest Woman Of All Time, and she’s breaking records and collecting belts, I’m not going to be upset. My achievements will always be tough to beat, but Caroline has the IT factor – she’ll fight anyone. I’ll be there to support her.
If she ever needs me in camp, she knows I’ll be there. We joke about sparring; one day it might happen." Shields also recounted offering advice to Dubois, urging her to enjoy the journey, stay true to herself, and never underestimate an opponent. "Have fun with your career, make it about you, and always prepare," she said. "That’s the recipe for longevity and greatness." The upcoming Sky Sports broadcast promises a packed evening of high‑stakes boxing.
Viewers can watch Mikaela Mayer take on Chantelle Cameron, with Caroline Dubois also competing later in the night. Fans who prefer streaming can access the fights via NOW’s contract‑free service, ensuring that the sport reaches a wider audience.
In summary, the current narrative in women’s boxing revolves around a potential clash between Baumgardner and Dubois, a rivalry that remains unresolved as both fighters pursue their own ambitions. Shields’ commentary adds another layer, highlighting the psychological aspects of competition and the inevitable passing of the torch to the next generation. Whether Baumgardner eventually steps into the ring with Dubois or continues to chase other opportunities, the sport’s landscape is clearly shifting toward a new era led by talented, confident fighters like Caroline Dubois, who are eager to cement their legacies and perhaps one day claim the title of Greatest Woman Of All Time.