Claressa Shields believes that Alycia Baumgardner is deliberately steering clear of a showdown with Caroline Dubois because she is terrified of adding another loss to her record. The current WBA, IBF, WBO and The Ring super‑featherweight champion has repeatedly dismissed the idea of a bout with the British rising star, calling the timing premature and insisting that Dubois has not yet reached her level. Shields, a multi‑division world champion herself, says Baumgardner’s reluctance is rooted in genuine anxiety. Baumgardner’s statements have done little to dampen Dubois’s enthusiasm.
Since unifying the division above by defeating Terri Harper in April, the 22‑year‑old Briton has kept her sights firmly on the American champion. Dubois is slated to face unbeaten former U.S. Olympian Amelia Moore in the co‑main event of MVPW‑06 in Birmingham, an undercard 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 as her next opponent. Drawing on her own experience of moving up weight classes, Shields explained why she thinks Baumgardner is hesitant. “When you have someone five pounds heavier than you knocking on your door, threatening to knock you out, constantly calling you out, you would expect Alycia to step up, take the weight and prove herself,” she told Sky Sports. “I think Baumgardner is 100 percent scared of Caroline and she doesn’t want to risk her record now that she already has one loss.
She’s protecting that record, and I truly believe Caroline will win the fight.” Dubois, who already holds the unified WBC and WBO lightweight titles, is widely regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in both British and women’s boxing. A victory over Moore would bring her a step closer to undisputed status and would likely set the stage for a blockbuster clash with Baumgardner. In the meantime, Baumgardner is scheduled to move up to lightweight to challenge Elif Nur Turhan for the IBF title on November 8, a move that could eventually create the conditions for a high‑stakes encounter with Dubois. Shields, who has amassed an unbeaten 19‑fight record and 21 world titles across multiple divisions, has long been hailed as the Greatest Woman Of All Time (GWOAT).
When asked who might inherit her mantle, she pointed directly at Dubois. “They asked me who I think will carry the torch after I’m gone and I said, listen, it’s going to be Caroline Dubois,” Shields said. She added that while Gabriela Fundora is also a formidable future champion, Dubois is already making waves: “She’s calling out the biggest names, the best fighters, she wants the biggest fights. She’s confident, loud, aggressive, scoring knockouts at the right time.” Shields has been vocal about supporting Dubois’s career, regardless of the path she chooses.
“Caroline has her own brand. If she wants to be called the GWOAT, break records and collect accolades, I’m not going to be upset as long as she’s doing GWOAT things—fighting the best, winning, and collecting belts,” Shields said. She acknowledged the difficulty of matching her own achievements, noting that she had just become a 21‑time world champion, but praised Dubois’s “IT factor” and willingness to fight anyone.
The veteran champion also offered practical assistance. “If she ever needs me in camp, she knows I’ll be there.
We joke about sparring; one day it’ll happen,” Shields remarked. She said Dubois had already asked for advice, to which she responded, “Have fun with your career, make it about you, do whatever you want, always prepare, and never underestimate your opponents.” The upcoming Sky Sports broadcast will feature not only the Dubois‑Moore bout but also the highly anticipated clash between Mikaela Mayer and Chantelle Cameron. Fans can watch the entire card live on Sky Sports or stream it through a contract‑free boxing service.
As the women's divisions continue to evolve, the rivalry between Baumgardner and Dubois remains one of the sport’s most intriguing storylines, with Shields positioned as both commentator and potential mentor for the next generation of champions. Whether Baumgardner will eventually accept Dubois’s challenge or continue to avoid the confrontation remains to be seen.
What is clear, however, is that both fighters are eager to prove themselves on the biggest stages, and the boxing world will be watching closely as the calendar fills with title defenses, weight‑class jumps, and the inevitable quest for undisputed glory.