Claressa Shields has suggested that Alycia Baumgardner is shying away from a showdown with rising British star Caroline Dubois because she fears another blemish on her record. The WBA, IBF, WBO and The Ring super‑featherweight champion has repeatedly dismissed the notion of a bout with Dubois, calling the idea premature and insisting that the Briton has not yet reached her level. Yet Dubois remains undeterred, continuing her relentless pursuit of the American after she unified the division above with a 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, sharing the card with 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.
Having moved through multiple weight classes herself, Shields speaks from experience when she explains why she believes Baumgardner is avoiding the challenge. "When someone five pounds heavier is constantly knocking on your door, shouting that they're going to knock you out, you'd think Alycia would step up, take the weight and prove herself," Shields told Sky Sports. "I think Baumgardner is 100 percent scared of Caroline.
She doesn't want to jeopardise a record that already carries one loss. I believe Caroline will win that fight." Dubois, often described as having the "ingredients" to succeed where former champion Katie Taylor left off, is rapidly becoming one of the most talked‑about names in women's boxing.
The sport's calendar for 2026 is already buzzing with speculation about marquee match‑ups, and streaming platforms such as NOW are offering contract‑free boxing content for fans. Meanwhile, Baumgardner is scheduled to move up to lightweight for a bout against Elif Nur Turhan for the IBF lightweight title on November 8. A victory there could bring a high‑profile clash with Dubois a step closer, especially if Baumgardner decides to finally accept the British challenger. Since her back‑to‑back Olympic gold medals, Shields has built an unbeaten 19‑fight record, capturing world titles in several divisions and proclaiming herself the Greatest Woman Of All Time (GWOAT).
When asked who might inherit her mantle after retirement, 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," she said. "Gabriela Fundora will also be a force, but right now Caroline is right there.
She calls out the biggest and best, she wants the biggest fights, she’s confident, loud, aggressive, scoring knockouts at the perfect time." Dubois, the unified WBC and WBO lightweight champion, is already a hot prospect in both British and global women’s boxing. A win over Moore in Birmingham would move her a step closer to undisputed status.
Shields has taken a keen interest in Dubois' career, offering support and advice. "Caroline has her own brand now," Shields noted. "If she wants to be called the GWOAT, she’s breaking records and earning accolades, and I’m not going to be upset as long as she keeps doing GWOAT‑level things—fighting the best, winning, collecting belts." Shields also emphasized the difficulty of surpassing her own achievements, having just become a 21‑time world champion.
"Caroline has the IT factor, and she’ll fight anyone," Shields added. "I’ll be there to support her. If she ever needs me in camp, she knows I’m available.
We joke about sparring; one day it will happen. She’s already asked me for advice and I told her to enjoy her career, make it her own, chase what she wants, always prepare and never underestimate any opponent." The upcoming Sky Sports broadcast will feature the Mayer‑Cameron fight, with Dubois also appearing on the card. Fans can watch live on Sky Sports or stream the event through a contract‑free boxing service.
The narrative building around these athletes highlights a new era in women's boxing, where champions are not only defending titles but also shaping the future of the sport by mentoring the next generation and sparking rivalries that promise to captivate audiences worldwide.