Claressa Shields has suggested that Alycia Baumgardner is avoiding a showdown with Caroline Dubois out of fear of another career‑altering loss. The WBA, IBF, WBO and The Ring super‑featherweight champion has repeatedly dismissed the idea of a bout with the British prodigy, calling it premature and insisting that Dubois has not yet reached her level.
Despite Baumgardner’s reservations, Dubois has kept the pressure on, continuing her pursuit of the American after she unified the division above with a win over Terri Harper in April. Dubois is slated to fight unbeaten former U.S.
Olympian Amelia Moore in the co‑main event of MVPW‑06 in Birmingham, sharing the card with Mikaela Mayer versus Chantelle Cameron. The event will be broadcast live on Sky Sports this Saturday, and Dubois has made it clear that she wants Baumgardner next on her list.
Having moved through several weight classes herself, Shields speaks from experience when she explains why she believes Baumgardner is shying away from Dubois’s challenge. "When you have someone five pounds heavier knocking on your door, bragging about how they’ll knock you out, it would make sense for Alycia to step up, take the fight and prove her greatness," Shields told Sky Sports.
"I think Baumgardner is 100 percent scared of Caroline and doesn’t want to jeopardise her record now that she already has a loss on it. I believe Caroline will win that fight." Dubois, often described as having the "ingredients" to replace Katie Taylor as the face of women’s boxing, is rapidly becoming one of the sport’s most marketable stars. The British fighter, who currently holds the unified WBC and WBO lightweight titles, is aiming to edge closer to undisputed status with a victory over Moore.
Shields, who has amassed an unbeaten 19‑fight record, two Olympic gold medals and 21 world titles across multiple divisions, sees Dubois as a potential heir to her throne. "When they asked me who will carry the torch after I’m gone, I said Caroline Dubois," Shields said. "She’s calling out the biggest and best, she’s confident, loud, aggressive, and she’s racking up knockouts at the right time." Baumgardner is scheduled to move up to lightweight to challenge Elif Nur Turhan for the IBF title on November 8. That bout could set the stage for a blockbuster clash with Dubois, should the American win and the British fighter continue her ascent.
Shields, who proudly refers to herself as the Greatest Woman Of All Time (GWOAT), has been vocal about supporting Dubois’s career, regardless of where it leads. "Caroline has her own name now," Shields explained. "If she wants to be called the GWOAT, she’s breaking records and earning accolades, and I’m not going to be mad about it as long as she keeps fighting the best and winning belts." Shields also offered practical advice to Dubois, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the journey and never underestimating opponents. "She’s already asked me for advice and I told her to have fun, make the career her own, and always prepare thoroughly," Shields said.
"We joke about sparring together someday, and I’ll be there if she ever needs help in camp." The upcoming Sky Sports broadcast will feature not only the Dubois‑Moore fight but also a high‑profile clash between Mikaela Mayer and Chantelle Cameron. Fans can watch the entire card live on Sky Sports or stream the action without a contract via the NOW platform. As the women's boxing landscape continues to evolve, the rivalry—or potential partnership—between Baumgardner and Dubois remains a focal point for analysts and enthusiasts alike. Whether Baumgardner will eventually accept Dubois’s challenge, or whether the two will meet in a future lightweight showdown after Baumgardner’s title bid, remains to be seen.
What is clear, however, is that both fighters are shaping the next chapter of women’s boxing, and Shields is eager to see the sport’s next generation carry forward the legacy she helped build.