Alycia Baumgardner brushed aside any notion that she is intimidated by Caroline Dubois, insisting the British fighter has not yet reached her own level as rumors swirl about a possible showdown between the two. The American champion, who holds the WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring titles at super featherweight, 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 at the suggestion and turned the conversation back onto her own plans. The timing of the comments is significant.
Baumgardner is slated to defend her world titles against Turkey’s unbeaten Elif Nur Turhan on November 8, while Dubois is set to fight Amelia Moore this Saturday in the co‑main event of MVPW‑06, which also features Mikaela Mayer versus Chantelle Cameron. Both fights are being billed as stepping stones toward a future clash between the winners, and the boxing press has been busy connecting the dots. "Claressa has always been jealous of me," Baumgardner told Sky Sports.
"She fights in a different weight class and gets the biggest fights, but I’ve never been scared of anyone. You can’t be scared when you’re doing a sport like this." Her remarks suggest that the alleged jealousy stems more from Shields’ frustration at not being booked against Dubois than from any genuine fear on Baumgardner’s part. Baumgardner has previously hinted that a fight with Dubois would be premature for the 25‑year‑old Briton, who currently defends her WBC and WBO lightweight crowns against Moore. While she respects Dubois’s hunger and work ethic, Baumgardner believes the English fighter still needs to prove herself at a higher level before earning a shot at the American champion.
"She’s a hungry fighter and I love that," Baumgardner said. "But when you step up to the plate you’re stepping up to a big dog.
I’m a big dog; she’s still a puppy. There’s a clear difference, but I’m excited to see her grow." During a press conference in Birmingham, Baumgardner surprised former rival Mikaela Mayer by asking a pointed question from the front row.
She imagined what she would ask Dubois if given the chance: "Why do you feel the need to ask other trainers I’ve worked with how you can beat me? If you’re confident, you wouldn’t be asking those kinds of questions. People talk, but you’re now in the USA – my country." The prospect of a Baumgardner‑Dubois bout continues to capture fans’ imagination, yet Baumgardner remains focused on her upcoming challenge against Turhan, a 14‑0 knockout artist who has already demonstrated she can pose serious problems for any opponent. "I think the boxing world wants that fight with me and Caroline, but I’m not overlooking anything.
It could be anybody’s night," Baumgardner said. "I’ve seen Amelia Moore; she’s game.
Anything can happen." MVP co‑founder Nakisa Bidarian warned both fighters not to underestimate their opponents, but she also said a Baumgardner‑Dubois clash would be a marquee event for women’s boxing worldwide. "Caroline has a tough test this Saturday against Amelia Moore, a decorated amateur.
Look at Amanda Serrano’s fight last weekend – people thought she’d blow her away, but she proved them wrong. If Caroline stays focused and Alycia gets past Turhan, we’ll have a super fight that engages fans globally." Mayer herself recalled her own loss to Baumgardner in October 2022, a split‑decision defeat she still feels should have gone her way.
She echoed the sentiment that Turhan could derail any plans for a Baumgardner‑Dubois showdown. "It’s a great fight that needs to happen," Mayer said. "Alycia finally moved up to 135.
She hasn’t taken a real challenge since me, so Turhan is a tough test. If she gets caught by Turhan’s power, the whole trajectory could shift, and we might see Dubois versus Turhan instead." Both Baumgardner and Dubois are on the cusp of major career milestones.
Baumgardner’s upcoming fight against Turhan will test whether she can handle a powerful, knockout‑heavy opponent while maintaining the technical precision that earned her four world titles. Dubois, meanwhile, aims to cement her status as a rising star by defeating Moore, a veteran with an extensive amateur pedigree.
If Baumgardner overcomes Turhan, the logical next step for promoters would be to set up a showdown with Dubois, pitting the seasoned American champion against the hungry British prospect. Such a bout would not only generate significant pay‑per‑view interest but also further elevate women’s boxing on the global stage, showcasing two of the sport’s most compelling personalities. In the meantime, fans can tune in to Sky Sports or stream the events contract‑free via NOW to catch the upcoming fights.
The boxing community will be watching closely, waiting to see which fighter emerges victorious and whether the long‑awaited Baumgardner‑Dubois clash becomes a reality in the near future.