Caroline Dubois sailed through a gritty bout against Amelia Moore before engaging in a heated exchange of words with fellow contender Alycia Baumgardner at ringside, setting the stage for a possible blockbuster showdown with the American fighter. The London‑born champion displayed little vulnerability throughout a dominant performance that earned her a unanimous decision of 99‑90, 99‑90 and 98‑91, allowing her to retain both the WBC and WBO lightweight crowns in the co‑main event of MVPW‑06 in Birmingham on Saturday. After the final bell, Dubois turned her attention to a verbal duel with former undisputed champion Baumgardner, who is slated to move up to the lightweight division for her upcoming clash with Elif Nur Turhan on November 8.
Baumgardner has been a constant presence in Birmingham all week, pressing former rival Mikaela Mayer at the press conference and reiterating her belief that Dubois has yet to reach her own level. "That was a lackluster performance," Baumgardner said, her tone dripping with confidence. "You need to tighten up, baby girl. You were tired, really tired.
I'm going to show you how a true undisputed champion fights. I'm at lightweight now." Dubois fired back with equal intensity: "I've been calling for this fight for a long time. After my last bout I said, ‘Move up and fight that bum.’ What happened to Amanda Serrano? What happened to Katie Taylor?
What happened to Claressa Shields? You haven't gotten what you asked for. I got what I asked for.
You're moving up into my division. I'm the best in this weight class and you know it. I'm 25, and I'm better than you." She continued, "I love that energy. If you get past Elif Nur Turhan, there will be no denying it between you and me.
Everything I've asked for has happened. I'm going to knock that bum out, you can bet on it." In the ring, Dubois asserted herself from the opening bell, unleashing a rapid barrage of body punches in round one that forced Moore to retreat despite the American's longer reach. The Londoner quickly found her distance, using footwork and angles to neutralise Moore's jab and counter‑punching attempts.
Round two saw Dubois probing for her optimal range while Moore attempted to respond with crisp counters. Dubois capped the two‑minute round with a powerful overhand right that snapped Moore's head back, signalling that the champion was in control. The third and fourth rounds continued in the same vein.
Dubois mixed high‑volume body work with occasional head shots, forcing the well‑conditioned Moore to chase and miss. Moore struggled to land cleanly as Dubois's movement kept her off‑balance and prevented her from setting up her longer reach.
The pivotal moment arrived in round five. Dubois landed a clean combination that caused Moore to lose her footing, resulting in a knockdown that appeared more a matter of balance than raw power. Seizing the momentum, Dubois pressed forward with a ferocious right hook, further unsettling the American challenger.
In round seven, Dubois landed a series of sharp hooks to Moore's head, followed by a crisp straight left that pierced the opponent's guard. By round eight, blood began to trickle from Moore's nose, a visual testament to Dubois's sustained dominance.
Even when Moore launched a late‑round surge in round nine, the champion maintained her composure and kept the fight on her terms. The final round turned into a frantic scramble as Moore, despite a cut from an accidental head clash, fought desperately to make a statement. Dubois, however, stayed disciplined, using her jab to keep Moore at bay and finishing the bout with a series of controlled punches that left no doubt about the outcome. The unanimous decision reflected the clear gap in skill and execution between the two fighters, and it also reinforced Dubois's status as the premier lightweight in the division.
Her performance not only secured the titles but also sent a clear message to anyone considering a move up: she is the benchmark. Beyond the main event, the card featured several notable performances. Terri Harper made a triumphant return to the ring, delivering a clinical second‑round stoppage of Houston's Miranda Reyes.
Harper opened with a perfectly timed left hand that sent Reyes to the canvas. The American struggled to regain composure, and Harper followed with a flurry of hooks and a crushing right that forced the referee to halt the contest. After the win, Harper told Sky Sports, "One of the best performances of my career. I'm very happy with that.
It's good to build the fight up, but you can't get rid of me that easily! This journey has had its highs and lows, and I'm grateful MVP brought me back so soon after my last fight. I've got a lot more to give you!" In another exciting bout, Reina Tellez displayed ferocious aggression to outpoint Jessica Barry, earning a 96‑94 decision. Tellez, who famously stepped in on fifteen days' notice to face Amanda Serrano earlier this year, showcased cleaner, more eye‑catching shots throughout the fight.
She explained to Sky Sports, "I feel a little bit of ring rust, but overall I feel great. There were moments that tested me, but that's what experience brings.
I'm grateful for the platform and the opportunity. She showed a lot of heart, a good opponent with a different style, I respect her, but overall I dominated the fight." The 23‑year‑old Tellez controlled the first four rounds with fast, accurate hands, repeatedly finding Barry's head. Barry remained aggressive, landing a solid upper‑cut in round five that briefly shifted the momentum.
Tellez was penalised a point in round six for a low blow, but she quickly recovered, delivering a brutal right hand in round eight that troubled Barry. Despite Barry's resilience and willingness to trade punches, Tellez's relentless output and power ultimately secured the victory. Finally, MVP debutant Tysie Gallagher earned a points win over Chicago's Brandi Robinson, improving her professional record to 11‑2.
Gallagher admitted after the fight, "I'm not particularly happy about the performance, couldn't really get going, first one back, no excuses. I'll be back 100 percent next time." This candid assessment suggests she sees room for growth and is eager to refine her craft.
Overall, the night in Birmingham offered a blend of decisive victories, compelling storylines, and the simmering rivalry between Dubois and Baumgardner that promises an electrifying future clash. The event also highlighted the depth of talent across the lightweight and surrounding divisions, setting the stage for more high‑stakes match‑ups as the 2026 boxing calendar unfolds.