Claressa Shields, the celebrated multi‑division champion, has suggested that Alycia Baumgardner is avoiding a showdown with rising British star Caroline Dubois out of fear of another blemish on her record. In Shields' view, Baumgardner, who currently holds the WBA, IBF, WBO and The Ring super‑featherweight titles, is reluctant to test herself against Dubois because the English fighter represents a genuine threat. Baumgardner has repeatedly dismissed the idea of a bout with Dubois, calling the speculation premature and insisting that Dubois has not yet reached the level required to challenge her. Despite those remarks, Dubois has continued to chase the American champion with determination.
After unifying the division above by defeating 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. That fight, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports alongside a card featuring Mikaela Mayer versus Chantelle Cameron, is expected to serve as a stepping stone toward a potential clash with Baumgardner.
Drawing on her own experience of moving between weight classes, Shields explained why she believes Baumgardner is shying away from the challenge. "When you have someone five pounds heavier knocking on your door, bragging about how they're going to knock you out, you would think Alycia would step up, gain those five pounds and prove herself," Shields told Sky Sports. "I think Baumgardner is 100 percent scared of Caroline.
She doesn't want to risk her record now that she already has one loss. I believe Caroline will win that fight." The conversation about Dubois' future goes beyond a single fight.
Shields, who has amassed an unbeaten 19‑fight record and captured Olympic gold twice, has long been regarded as the Greatest Woman Of All Time (GWOAT). As she contemplates her eventual retirement, she says she already sees Dubois as the heir apparent. "They asked me who I think will carry the torch when I'm gone, and I said Caroline Dubois," Shields said.
"Gabriela Fundora will be a champion, but right now Caroline is right there. She's calling out the biggest names, she's confident, loud, aggressive, scoring knockouts at the right time." Dubois, the unified WBC and WBO lightweight champion, is widely viewed as one of the brightest prospects in British and women's boxing.
A victory over Moore would bring her one step closer to undisputed status and likely accelerate talks of a high‑profile fight with Baumgardner. Meanwhile, Baumgardner is scheduled to move up to lightweight to challenge Elif Nur Turhan for the IBF title on November 8. That move could set the stage for a blockbuster encounter with Dubois later in the year, should both fighters stay healthy and continue winning.
Shields has been vocal in her support of Dubois' career, offering advice and promising to be there if the younger fighter ever needs help in camp. "Caroline has her own name.
If she wants to be called the GWOAT, she's breaking records and collecting accolades, I won't be mad as long as she's doing GWOAT things – fighting the best, winning, and racking up belts," Shields said. "I just became a 21‑time world champion last week, but Caroline has the IT factor and she'll fight anybody.
I'm going to be there supporting her. If she ever needs me in camp, she'll know I'm there.
We joke about sparring; one day it'll happen." The upcoming Sky Sports broadcast will feature both the Mayer‑Cameron bout and Dubois' co‑main event appearance, giving fans a chance to see the future of women's boxing in action. For those without a traditional TV subscription, streaming options are available through NOW, allowing viewers to watch contract‑free boxing. In summary, Shields believes Baumgardner's hesitation stems from a genuine fear of losing to Dubois, who is rapidly building a résumé that includes titles, knockouts, and a reputation for taking on the toughest opponents.
As Baumgardner prepares to test herself at lightweight, and Dubois aims to cement her status as a unified champion, the women's division appears poised for several marquee match‑ups in the months ahead. Whether Baumgardner will finally accept Dubois' challenge remains to be seen, but the narrative set by Shields suggests that the fight could become a defining moment for both athletes and for women's boxing as a whole.