Caroline Dubois didn’t mince words on Saturday night, branding her American counterpart Alycia Baumgardner a coward after a tense encounter at ringside. The two fighters, who have been linked to a blockbuster bout, found themselves in a heated exchange that only intensified their rivalry. The spark for the confrontation was Baumgardner’s appearance at the edge of the ring immediately after Dubois secured a unanimous decision victory over Amelia Moore in Birmingham.
The American stepped up to the ropes, and a brief but fierce tug‑of‑war over the microphone turned into a war of words that left both camps buzzing. Dubois later took aim at Baumgardner’s decision to skip the post‑fight press conference, calling her absence a sign of cowardice. "I’m surprised she isn’t there. I think she’s a coward," Dubois said, her tone unmistakably sharp.
"I wish she was here so I could say it to her face. I really do. I think she’s a coward because she isn’t here today.
She should have come to the press conference. This is the biggest fight in women’s boxing." The comment underscored the growing tension surrounding a possible super‑fight that could see Baumgardner move up into Dubois’s weight class. Baumgardner is slated to challenge Elif Nur Turhan for the IBF lightweight world title on November 8, a fight that would place her directly in Dubois’s division and set the stage for a showdown that promoters have been dreaming about.
Baumgardner, for her part, dismissed Dubois’s performance as “lacklustre” and warned that the British champion would need to “tighten up” if she hoped to beat the former undisputed world champion. The back‑and‑forth has become a staple of the pre‑fight hype, with each fighter trading barbs about each other’s records and potential. Dubois didn’t stop at calling Baumgardner a coward.
She questioned why the American had never secured high‑profile fights against established stars such as Katie Taylor or Claressa Shields. "She’s tried as hard as she can to dismiss me and make it seem like I’m not on her level, but I am," Dubois asserted. "I’m the world champion, and she’s moving up to my division.
Yeah, I think this is the biggest fight in women’s boxing. I think it will be a great fight, and I hope she wins against Elif, but you never know. Maybe it’s Elif who wins, and it’ll be me and her facing off, so let’s not try to write off Elif." The British fighter also hinted at another possible opponent: Stephanie Han. Dubois recently retained her WBA lightweight title with a majority‑decision win over Holly Holm, and she said Nakisa Bidarian, co‑founder of the MVP promotion, flew her out earlier in the year to watch Han’s bout with Holm.
"I went to the press conference afterwards. I wasn’t afraid to come to the press conference. I called her out openly there and then, and she promised me we would do it, that it is a fight that’s going to happen, and I intend to hold her to that. I want to fight Stephanie," Dubois told reporters.
The promotional side of the equation is equally charged. MVP founder Jake Paul told Sky Sports that his organization is "100 per cent ready to go when they want to sign the contracts" for a Dubois‑versus‑Baumgardner clash. Paul’s confidence reflects the market demand for a marquee women’s boxing event that could draw fans worldwide.
Adding another layer to the drama, former champion Claressa Shields recently accused Baumgardner of being "scared" of Dubois. Baumgardner fired back, labeling Shields as "jealous" and defending her own fearlessness.
"Alycia is not scared of anyone, I know it’s going to happen, she has to get through November 8 and then we can have those discussions," Paul added. "I think it’s funny when fans or critics say certain people are scared of somebody – they aren’t scared, it’s what they do for a living." The narrative surrounding this potential showdown is more than just personal insults; it reflects a broader shift in women’s boxing toward higher‑profile matchups and greater mainstream visibility. Both Dubois and Baumgardner have amassed impressive records, with Dubois holding multiple world titles across weight classes and Baumgardner positioning herself as a rising star in the lightweight division. Their clash would not only settle personal scores but also serve as a benchmark for the sport’s growth.
If Baumgardner defeats Turhan on November 8, the stage would be set for an immediate title‑unification bout with Dubois, turning the speculation into a concrete fight card. Conversely, a loss could redirect Baumgardner’s path, possibly leading her to a rematch with Turhan or a different opponent altogether.
Either outcome promises to keep fans engaged and the media talking. In the meantime, the boxing community continues to dissect every interview, social‑media post, and press conference for clues. Analysts point out that Dubois’s confidence stems from her technical skill set—sharp footwork, a high‑volume jab, and a knack for controlling the pace of a fight. Baumgardner, meanwhile, is praised for her power punching and aggressive style, traits that could make for an electrifying contrast in the ring.
Both fighters have also highlighted the importance of mental preparation. Dubois’s willingness to call out opponents publicly shows a psychological strategy aimed at unsettling her rivals before they even step into the arena. Baumgardner’s refusal to engage in the press conference could be read as a tactical avoidance of giving Dubois additional ammunition.
As the November date approaches, promoters are likely to finalize negotiations, venue selections, and broadcast deals. The fight could be staged in a major arena in the United Kingdom, the United States, or even a neutral location that maximizes global viewership.
Streaming platforms and traditional pay‑per‑view services are already expressing interest, anticipating that a bout billed as "the biggest fight in women’s boxing" could generate significant revenue. Regardless of the eventual matchup, the ongoing feud between Caroline Dubois and Alycia Baumgardner has already succeeded in shining a spotlight on women’s boxing, drawing new fans and reminding the sport’s veterans that the competition is as fierce as ever. The next few weeks will determine whether the verbal sparring translates into a historic bout that lives up to the hype, or whether the rivalry will continue to simmer, fueling future storylines in the ever‑evolving landscape of the sweet science.