Claressa Shields has suggested that Alycia Baumgardner is deliberately avoiding a showdown with rising British star Caroline Dubois because she does not want to risk another blemish on her record. The WBA, IBF, WBO and The Ring super featherweight champion 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 Baumgardner's reluctance, Dubois has continued to chase the American champion, especially after she secured a unification win over Terri Harper in April, solidifying her position at the top of the division. Dubois is slated to fight 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 event will be broadcast live on Sky Sports this Saturday, and Dubois has made it clear that a bout with Baumgardner is her next target. Shields, a multi‑weight world champion who has moved through several weight classes herself, feels uniquely qualified to comment on why Baumgardner might be shying away.
"When you have someone five pounds heavier than you, constantly knocking on your door, threatening to knock you out, you would think Alycia would simply step up in weight 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. In my view, Caroline will win that fight." The conversation also touched on Dubois' potential to become the next great female boxer, a role that Shields herself has embraced.
Since winning back‑to‑back Olympic gold medals, Shields has built an unbeaten 19‑fight résumé, capturing titles in multiple divisions and declaring herself the Greatest Woman Of All Time (GWOAT). When asked who might inherit her mantle, Shields pointed directly to 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. "Gabriela Fundora will also be a force, but right now Caroline is right there.
She's calling out the biggest names, she's confident, she's loud, she's aggressive, she's scoring knockouts and she's doing it at the perfect moment." Dubois, who currently holds the unified WBC and WBO lightweight world 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 further cement her reputation as a future legend. Shields has expressed a genuine interest in Dubois' career trajectory and pledged her support, regardless of the path the young champion chooses. "Caroline has her own brand," Shields explained.
"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's 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." Shields also offered practical advice, noting that Dubois had already approached her for guidance. "I told her to enjoy her career, make it her own, follow her instincts, and never underestimate any opponent," Shields said. She added that she would be available to help in training camp if needed, joking that a sparring session between the two might happen someday.
Meanwhile, Baumgardner is set to move up to lightweight to challenge Elif Nur Turhan for the IBF title on November 8. That move could eventually set the stage for a blockbuster encounter with Dubois, should both fighters continue to dominate their respective weight classes.
The broader boxing landscape in 2026 is buzzing with speculation about when the next marquee fights will happen. Fans can stream boxing without a contract through NOW, tune into the Toe2Toe podcast for weekly analysis, or simply watch the upcoming co‑main event featuring Mikaela Mayer versus Chantelle Cameron, with Dubois also on the card, on Sky Sports. In summary, Shields believes Baumgardner's hesitation stems from a genuine fear of losing to the formidable Dubois, while Dubois herself is positioning to become the next dominant force in women's boxing. With both athletes aiming for higher stakes—Baumgardner by moving up a division and Dubois by seeking undisputed glory—the next few months could produce some of the sport's most compelling narratives.
The boxing world will be watching closely to see whether these predictions materialize and which fighter ultimately ascends to the throne that Shields has long held.