Alycia Baumgardner brushed aside any notion that she is intimidated by Caroline Dubois, insisting the London‑born fighter has not yet reached her own level as discussions swirl about a possible clash between the two champions. The American holder of the WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring super‑featherweight belts recently found herself at the center of a controversy after Claressa Shields accused her of dodging a bout with Dubois out of fear of suffering a second professional loss.
Shields claimed Baumgardner was steering clear of a fight that could jeopardise her unbeaten record, a charge that Baumgardner quickly refuted. Both fighters have been in the spotlight this week. Baumgardner is slated to defend her world titles against Turkey’s unbeaten contender Elif Nur Turhan on November 8, while Dubois is set to face fellow British prospect Amelia Moore this Saturday in the co‑main event of MVPW‑06, which also features the highly anticipated Mikaela Mayer versus Chantelle Cameron showdown. The timing of these events has led many observers to speculate that the winners could soon meet in the ring.
"Claressa has always been jealous of me," Baumgardner told Sky Sports. "She fights in a different weight class and gets the biggest fights, but I could never be scared of anyone. You don’t feel fear when you’re doing a sport like this." Baumgardner has previously hinted that a bout with Dubois would be premature for the 25‑year‑old Briton, who currently defends her WBC and WBO lightweight titles against Moore. While Baumgardner respects Dubois’s hunger and determination, she believes the English fighter still needs to prove herself at a higher level before earning a shot at the American champion.
"She’s still working to reach my level, but I love that she’s hungry and wants a challenge," Baumgardner explained. "When you step up to the plate you’re stepping up to a big dog.
I’m a big dog, she’s still a puppy. There’s a clear difference, but I admire her ambition." During a press conference in Birmingham, Baumgardner surprised former rival Mikaela Mayer by asking a pointed question from the front row. When prompted about Dubois, she said, "If I were to ask her, I’d wonder why she feels the need to ask other trainers I’ve worked with how she can beat me.
If you’re confident, you don’t ask those kinds of questions. People talk, but I’m focused on my own fight." The prospect of a Baumgardner‑Dubois showdown continues to loom, yet Baumgardner insists she will not be distracted from her upcoming clash with Turhan, a perfect 14‑0 fighter with eight knockouts who has earned the nickname the "Golden Turkish Warrior." "I think the boxing world wants that fight with me and Caroline, but I’m not overlooking anything. It could be anyone’s night," Baumgardner said.
"I know Amelia Moore – I’ve seen her, she’s game – and I know any opponent could seize the opportunity." MVP co‑founder Nakisa Bidarian warned both women not to underestimate their upcoming opponents, but she also praised the potential marketability of a Baumgardner‑Dubois fight, saying it would capture the imagination of fans worldwide. "Caroline has a tough test this Saturday against Amelia Moore, a decorated amateur. Look at Amanda Serrano’s fight last weekend – everyone thought she’d dominate the 27‑year‑old, even Serrano herself expected a knockout.
If Caroline stays focused and Alycia can get past Turhan, who is a knockout monster, then we have a super‑fight that could elevate women’s boxing on a global scale," Bidarian told Sky Sports. Mayer, who suffered a split‑decision loss to Baumgardner in October 2022—a decision she still believes should have gone her way—also weighed in on the upcoming match‑ups. She noted that Turhan presents a significant obstacle that could derail any plans for a Baumgardner‑Dubois clash.
"It’s a great fight that definitely needs to happen," Mayer said. "Alycia finally moved up to 135.
She hasn’t taken a real challenge since me, and that was years ago. Turhan is a powerful opponent; if Baumgardner gets caught, the whole trajectory could change, and we might see Dubois versus Turhan instead." The narrative surrounding these fighters underscores a broader trend in women’s boxing: the search for marquee match‑ups that can draw mainstream attention. With multiple titleholders active across weight classes, promoters are keen to create cross‑division battles that showcase skill, power, and personality. Baumgardner’s confidence, Shields’ accusations, and Dubois’s rising star status combine to form a compelling storyline.
Whether the two will eventually meet in the ring depends on how each navigates their current obligations. Baumgardner must first contend with Turhan’s relentless pressure and knockout potential, while Dubois aims to dispatch Moore convincingly to cement her claim as a top‑tier lightweight.
If both champions emerge victorious, the boxing community can expect intense negotiations, fan‑driven pressure, and perhaps a high‑stakes bout that could redefine the landscape of women’s boxing in 2026. Until then, the focus remains on the imminent fights: Baumgardner versus Turhan on November 8 and Dubois versus Moore this Saturday, each serving as a stepping stone toward the ultimate showdown many fans hope to witness.