Alycia Baumgardner brushed aside any notion that she is intimidated by Caroline Dubois, insisting the British prospect has yet to reach her own level as discussions about a possible clash continue to swirl. The American fighter, who currently holds the WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring super‑featherweight titles, was recently accused by former champion Claressa Shields of dodging a bout with Dubois out of fear of suffering a second professional loss. Both stars, however, have found themselves on parallel tracks this week. Baumgardner is slated to defend her world titles against Turkey’s unbeaten Elif Nur Turhan on November 8, while Dubois will step into the ring this Saturday against American contender Amelia Moore in the co‑main event of MVPW‑06, which also features a showdown between Mikaela Mayer and Chantelle Cameron.
The alignment of these fights has fans speculating that the winners could eventually meet in a high‑stakes encounter. When asked by Sky Sports about Shields’ comments, Baumgardner laughed and said, “Claressa has always been jealous of me because she doesn’t fight in my weight class and can’t get the biggest fights. I could never be scared of anyone. You don’t feel fear when you’re doing a sport like this.” She added that she respects Dubois’s hunger but believes the British boxer still needs to prove herself before earning a shot at the American champion.
Baumgardner has previously hinted that a bout with Dubois would be premature for the 25‑year‑old. Dubois, who currently defends her WBC and WBO lightweight titles, will face Moore on the undercard of the MVPW‑06 event. While Baumgardner admires Dubois’s mindset and acknowledges her determination, she argues that Dubois has not yet reached the same competitive tier. “She’s still working to get to my level, but I love that she’s hungry and wants a challenge,” Baumgardner said.
“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 difference, but I enjoy the hunger.” During a press conference in Birmingham, Baumgardner surprised former rival Mikaela Mayer with a question from the front row.
She wondered what she would ask Dubois if given the chance, suggesting, “Why does she feel 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 you’re in the USA now, baby – that’s my country.” Even as the prospect of a Dubois‑Baumgardner showdown looms, the American champion remains focused on her upcoming fight with Turhan, who boasts a flawless 14‑0 record with eight knockouts. “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 explained. “I know Amelia, I’ve seen her, she’s game, and any opponent could turn the tide.” MVP co‑founder Nakisa Bidarian warned against underestimating any opponent, but she also believes a Baumgardner‑Dubois clash would capture global attention.
“Caroline has a tough test this Saturday against Amelia Moore, a decorated amateur. Look at Amanda Serrano’s fight last weekend – everyone thought she would dominate the 27‑year‑old, even Amanda herself expected a knockout. If Caroline stays focused and Alycia can get past Turhan, who is a knockout monster, we have a super fight that could energize women’s boxing worldwide.” Mayer, who suffered one of her two career defeats at the hands of Baumgardner in October 2022 via a split decision she still feels was unjust, also sees Turhan as a potential obstacle to a Dubois‑Baumgardner matchup.
“It’s a great fight that 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 power puncher; if she catches Alycia, the whole trajectory could change and we might see Dubois versus Turhan instead.” The narrative surrounding these fighters is more than just speculation; it reflects a broader shift in women’s boxing toward marquee matchups that can draw mainstream audiences. Both Baumgardner and Dubois have built impressive resumes.
Baumgardner, a former undisputed champion, has accumulated titles across four major sanctioning bodies, showcasing versatility and power at super‑featherweight. Dubois, meanwhile, has risen rapidly through the lightweight ranks, capturing the WBC and WBO belts and earning a reputation for speed and technical precision.
If the two were to finally meet, analysts predict a clash of styles: Baumgardner’s aggressive, power‑based approach versus Dubois’s slick footwork and counter‑punching. The fight could also serve as a litmus test for the depth of talent in women’s boxing, demonstrating whether the sport can sustain multiple high‑profile champions across adjacent weight classes.
For now, the immediate focus remains on the upcoming bouts. Baumgardner will look to maintain her dominance against Turhan, while Dubois aims to solidify her lightweight reign against Moore. Both events are slated for broadcast on Sky Sports, with streaming options available for fans without a contract.
As the calendar fills out, the boxing community will be watching closely, waiting to see which fighter emerges ready to take the next step toward a potential Baumgardner‑Dubois showdown, a fight that could redefine the landscape of women’s boxing in 2026 and beyond.