Alycia Baumgardner brushed aside any notion that she is intimidated by Caroline Dubois, insisting that the London‑born fighter has not yet reached her own level as speculation builds around a possible clash. The American champion, who holds the WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring super‑featherweight titles, was recently accused by former world champion Claressa Shields of dodging a bout with Dubois out of fear of a second professional loss. Baumgardner, however, laughed off the claim and made it clear that fear has no place in a sport as demanding as boxing. The two stars have found themselves on parallel tracks this week.
Baumgardner is set to defend her world titles against Turkey’s unbeaten Elif Nur Turhan on November 8, while Dubois is slated to face Amelia Moore in a co‑main event on Saturday. Both fights are being billed as stepping stones toward a potential showdown between the winners, a scenario that has generated plenty of buzz among fans and pundits alike. In an interview with Sky Sports, Baumgardner said, “Claressa has always been jealous of me because she doesn’t fight in my weight class and can’t land the biggest fights.
But I could never be scared of anybody. You can’t be scared when you’re doing a sport like this.” She added that she respects Shields’ achievements but believes the jealousy narrative is a distraction from the real work happening in the ring. Baumgardner has previously hinted that a fight with Dubois would be premature for the 25‑year‑old Briton, who is currently defending her WBC and WBO lightweight crowns against Moore in the co‑main event of MVPW‑06, alongside the high‑profile bout between Mikaela Mayer and Chantelle Cameron.
While Baumgardner admires Dubois’ hunger and mindset, she feels the English fighter still needs to prove herself at the highest level before earning a shot at the American champion. "She’s a hungry fighter and I love that," Baumgardner explained.
"But when you step up to the plate, you’re stepping up to a big dog. I’m the big dog, she’s still a puppy. There’s a clear difference, but I appreciate her ambition." During a press conference in Birmingham, Baumgardner surprised former rival Mikaela Mayer by asking a pointed question from the front row.
When asked what she would pose to Dubois, she replied, "I’d ask her why she feels the need to go to other trainers I’ve worked with and ask how she can beat me. If you’re truly confident, you don’t need to ask those kinds of questions. People talk, but I’m focused on my own fight." The prospect of a Dubois‑Baumgardner matchup continues to loom, yet Baumgardner remains focused on her upcoming challenge against Turhan, who enters the bout with a flawless 14‑0 record and eight knockouts.
"I think the boxing world wants that fight with me and Caroline, but I’m not overlooking anything. It could be anybody’s night," she said. "I know Amelia Moore, I’ve seen her, and she’s game. Anything can happen on fight night." MVP co‑founder Nakisa Bidarian warned both fighters not to underestimate their opponents, but she also expressed confidence that a Baumgardner‑Dubois clash would be a global spectacle for women’s boxing.
"Caroline has no easy fight ahead of her this Saturday; Amelia Moore is a decorated amateur," Bidarian told Sky Sports. "Look at Amanda Serrano’s fight last weekend—people thought she would dominate the younger opponent, but anything can happen.
If Caroline handles her business and Alycia gets past the Turkish knockout monster, that would be a super fight that could engage fans worldwide." Mayer’s own history with Baumgardner adds another layer of intrigue. In October 2022, Mayer suffered a split‑decision loss to Baumgardner, a result she still believes should have gone her way.
Mayer now sees Turhan as a potential roadblock to any Dubois‑Baumgardner showdown. "I think it’ll be a great fight. It definitely needs to happen," Mayer said.
"Alycia finally moved up to 135. She hasn’t taken a serious challenge since me, and that was years ago. It’s time for her to prove herself.
Turhan is a powerful opponent; if she catches Baumgardner with one of those shots, the whole trajectory could change, and we might see Dubois versus Turhan instead." The upcoming weekend promises a packed boxing card. Fans can watch Mikaela Mayer vs. Chantelle Cameron, with Caroline Dubois taking on Amelia Moore, live on Sky Sports. For those without a traditional TV subscription, streaming options are available without a contract, allowing viewers worldwide to follow the action.
Beyond the immediate fights, the broader narrative in women’s boxing for 2026 revolves around establishing clear hierarchies across weight classes and creating marquee matchups that attract mainstream attention. Baumgardner’s confidence, Dubois’ youthful hunger, and Shields’ outspoken personality each contribute to a dynamic landscape where rivalries are both personal and promotional. As the sport continues to grow, the pressure on champions to defend titles against worthy contenders intensifies, and the fans’ appetite for high‑stakes encounters only increases.
In summary, while rumors of a Baumgardner‑Dubois duel swirl, the American champion remains laser‑focused on her November 8 title defense against Turhan. She acknowledges Dubois’ ambition but insists that the British fighter must first earn her place at the top. Whether the two will eventually meet in the ring remains to be seen, but the anticipation alone is already fueling conversations across the boxing community, promising an exciting year ahead for women’s pugilism.