Claressa Shields has suggested that Alycia Baumgardner is avoiding a showdown with rising British star Caroline Dubois because she fears another blemish on her record. The current WBA, IBF, WBO and The Ring super‑featherweight champion has repeatedly dismissed the idea of a bout with Dubois, calling the timing premature and insisting that the French‑born fighter has not yet reached her level. Despite Baumgardner's remarks, Dubois has remained relentless in her pursuit, especially after she unified the division above with a decisive win over Terri Harper in April.
Dubois is set 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.
The fight will be broadcast live on Sky Sports this Saturday, and Dubois has already signaled that her next target is Baumgardner. Having moved up and down weight classes herself, Shields speaks from experience when she explains why she believes Baumgardner is reluctant to accept the challenge. "When someone five pounds heavier is constantly knocking on your door, threatening to knock you out, you would think Alycia would simply move up and prove herself," Shields told Sky Sports. "I think she is 100 percent scared of Caroline and does not want to jeopardize her record, which already carries a loss.
I believe Caroline will win that fight." Dubois, often described as a potential successor to the legendary Katie Taylor, is gathering the ingredients needed to become the next dominant force in women's boxing. In 2026, the sport’s calendar is packed with high‑profile match‑ups, and many fans are eager to see whether Dubois can cement her status as a future undisputed champion. Baumgardner is scheduled to move up to lightweight for an IBF title bout against Elif Nur Turhan on November 8. That move could bring the two fighters closer to a blockbuster clash, especially if Baumgardner wins and the division’s landscape shifts.
Since earning back‑to‑back Olympic gold medals, Shields has built an unbeaten 19‑fight record, captured titles in multiple weight classes, and proclaimed herself the Greatest Woman Of All Time (GWOAT). When asked who might inherit her mantle, she named Dubois as the leading candidate.
"They asked me who 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 calls out the biggest names, seeks the best fights, and she’s delivering knockouts." Dubois currently holds the unified WBC and WBO lightweight titles and is one of the most exciting prospects in British and women's boxing. A victory over Moore in Birmingham would be another step toward undisputed status. Shields has taken a personal interest in Dubois' career, offering support and advice.
"Caroline has her own name," Shields noted. "If she wants to be called the GWOAT, she’s breaking records and earning accolades, and I’m not going to be mad about it as long as she continues to fight the best and collect belts." Shields, who just added a 21st world title to her résumé, acknowledges that her own achievements will be hard to surpass.
Yet she believes Dubois possesses the "IT factor" and will fight anyone willing to step into the ring with her. "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 will happen. She’s already asked for advice and I told her to enjoy her career, make it her own, and never underestimate an opponent." The upcoming Sky Sports broadcast will feature not only the Mayer‑Cameron bout but also Dubois in action, offering viewers a glimpse of the future of women's boxing.
Fans can watch the event live on Sky Sports or stream it without a contract through the network’s online platform. In summary, Shields believes Baumgardner’s hesitation stems from fear of losing to Dubois, a fighter she views as the rightful heir to the GWOAT title. With Baumgardner planning a move to lightweight and Dubois continuing her ascent, the boxing world is poised for a potential clash that could reshape the hierarchy of women’s divisions. The next few months will be critical as both athletes pursue their respective goals, and the sport’s audience eagerly awaits the moment when the two might finally meet inside the ring.