Claressa Shields has suggested that Alycia Baumgardner is avoiding a showdown with Caroline Dubois because she fears another blemish on her record. The American fighter, who currently holds the WBA, IBF, WBO and The Ring super‑featherweight titles, has repeatedly dismissed the idea of a bout with the British prodigy, calling it premature and insisting that Dubois has not yet reached her level.
Baumgardner’s reluctance has not slowed Dubois, who has kept pressing for a fight ever since she unified the division above her by defeating 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, a card that also features Mikaela Mayer versus Chantelle Cameron and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports this Saturday. After that performance, Dubois says she wants Baumgardner next.
Shields, a multi‑weight world champion who knows first‑hand what it takes to move between weight classes, offered her perspective on why Baumgardner might be shying away from the challenge. "When you have someone five pounds heavier than you knocking on your door, shouting that they’ll knock you out, you’d think Alycia would just step up and prove herself," Shields told Sky Sports. "I think Baumgardner is 100 percent scared of Caroline and doesn’t want to risk her record now that she already has a loss on it. I believe Caroline will win that fight." Dubois has been touted as a possible successor to the legendary Katie Taylor, and the boxing world is already speculating about when the biggest match‑ups of 2026 will finally materialise.
Fans can stream the sport contract‑free via NOW, and the Toe2Toe podcast provides weekly analysis for those who want deeper insight. In the meantime, Baumgardner is scheduled to move up to lightweight to challenge Elif Nur Turhan for the IBF title on November 8. That move could bring a blockbuster clash with Dubois a step closer, especially if Baumgardner wins and proves she can handle the extra weight.
Since winning back‑to‑back Olympic gold medals, Shields has compiled an unbeaten 19‑fight record, captured world titles in several divisions, and declared herself the Greatest Woman Of All Time. When asked who might inherit her mantle, Shields 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. "Gabriela Fundora will be a force, but right now Caroline is right there.
She’s calling out the biggest and best, she wants the best fights, she’s confident, loud, aggressive, scoring knockouts at the perfect time." Dubois, who now holds the unified WBC and WBO lightweight belts, is one of the most exciting prospects in British and women’s boxing. A victory over Moore in Birmingham would push her a step closer to undisputed status. Shields has taken a keen interest in Dubois’ career, offering support and advice. "Caroline has her own name," Shields explained.
"If she wants to be called the GWOAT, she’s breaking records and earning accolades, I won’t be mad as long as she’s doing GWOAT things—fighting the best, winning, collecting belts." Shields also highlighted the difficulty of surpassing her own achievements, noting she had just become a 21‑time world champion. Yet she believes Dubois possesses the "IT" factor and will fight anyone.
"I’ll be there supporting her. If she ever needs me in camp, she knows I’ll be there. We joke about sparring; one day it’ll happen. She’s already asked me for advice and I told her to enjoy her career, make it her own, work hard, and never underestimate opponents." The upcoming Sky Sports broadcast will feature the Mayer‑Cameron showdown alongside Dubois’ bout with Moore, offering viewers a night of high‑stakes women’s boxing.
Fans can watch live on Sky Sports or stream the event without a contract via the platform’s boxing service. In summary, Shields believes Baumgardner’s hesitation stems from fear of adding another loss, while Dubois remains eager to test herself against the super‑featherweight champion.
With Baumgardner planning a lightweight title fight later this year and Dubois continuing her ascent, the potential for a future clash is growing. Whether the two will finally meet in the ring remains to be seen, but the boxing community is watching closely, anticipating a showdown that could define the next era of women’s boxing.