Caroline Dubois sailed through a formidable challenge from Amelia Moore before engaging in a heated verbal exchange with Alycia Baumgardner at ringside, setting the stage for a possible blockbuster showdown with the American. The London‑born champion displayed little vulnerability throughout the bout, earning a unanimous decision of 99‑90, 99‑90 and 98‑91 to retain her WBC and WBO lightweight titles in the co‑main event of MVPW‑06 in Birmingham on Saturday.
After the fight, Dubois entered a war of words with former undisputed champion Baumgardner, who will step into the lightweight division when she faces Elif Nur Turhan on November 8. Baumgardner has been a constant presence in Birmingham all week, questioning former rival Mikaela Mayer at her final press conference and reiterating her belief that Dubois has not yet reached her level. "That was a lackluster performance," Baumgardner said.
"You need to tighten up, baby girl. You were tired, really tired. I'm going to show you what a champion does.
I'm an undisputed champ at lightweight now." Dubois fired back: "I've been calling for this for a long time. After the last fight I said, ‘move up and fight that bum.’ What happened to Amanda Serrano? What happened to Katie Taylor? What happened to Claressa Shields?
You haven't gotten anything you asked for. I got what I asked for.
You're moving up to my division. I'm the best in the division and you know it. I'm 25 and I'm better than you." The exchange continued with Dubois adding, "I love that energy. If you get past Elif Nur Turhan, there will be no denying it.
Everything I've asked for has happened. I'm going to knock this bum out, you better believe it." In the ring, Dubois asserted herself from the opening bell, launching a rapid series of body shots in round one that forced Moore to retreat despite the American's longer reach.
In round two, Dubois sought her rhythm against Moore's counter‑punching style, finishing the two‑minute segment with a crisp overhand right that landed cleanly on Moore's head. Rounds three and four saw Dubois maintain the fight's tempo, targeting Moore's torso with precise combinations while the British fighter struggled to locate her target amid Dubois' swift footwork.
The pivotal moment arrived in round five when Dubois secured a knockdown. Observers noted that the fall appeared more a result of Moore losing balance than sheer punching power, yet Dubois capitalized by following up with a ferocious right hook that kept the pressure on. The seventh round featured another series of sharp hooks to Moore's head, culminating in a clean straight left that penetrated the American's guard. By round eight, blood began to trickle from Moore's nose as Dubois continued to dominate, even as Moore launched a late‑stage offensive in the ninth round.
The final round saw Moore re‑engage, sustaining a cut from an accidental head clash, but she remained defiant until the bell. Beyond the main event, the card delivered several noteworthy performances. Terri Harper returned to the ring in style, achieving a clinical second‑round stoppage over Houston's Miranda Reyes.
Harper opened with a perfectly timed left hand that sent Reyes to the canvas, and after a brief scramble she delivered a barrage of hooks followed by a powerful right that forced a second knockdown. The referee intervened, awarding Harper a decisive victory. Harper praised the win, calling it one of the best performances of her career and expressing gratitude to MVP for giving her a swift comeback after her April loss to Dubois. In another bout, Reina Tellez displayed ferocious aggression against Jessica Barry, earning a 96‑94 points win.
Tellez, who famously stepped in on fifteen days' notice to fight Amanda Serrano earlier this year, landed cleaner, more eye‑catching shots throughout the fight. She acknowledged a touch of ring rust but emphasized the experience gained and the respect she holds for Barry's heart and differing style. Despite a point deduction in round six for a low blow, Tellez rebounded with a brutal right hand in round eight that troubled Barry, ultimately securing the decision. The night also featured Tysie Gallagher's MVP debut, where she earned a points victory over Chicago's Brandi Robinson, improving her professional record to 11‑2.
Gallagher admitted she was not entirely satisfied with her performance, citing a slow start and the challenges of returning after a layoff, but vowed to return stronger in future outings. Overall, the event highlighted Dubois' dominance in the lightweight division and set the narrative for an imminent clash with Baumgardner, should the American decide to move up.
With both fighters vocal about their ambitions and ready to prove themselves, the lightweight landscape looks poised for a high‑stakes confrontation that could reshape the hierarchy of women's boxing. The upcoming November 8 fight between Baumgardner and Turhan will serve as a crucial benchmark, potentially confirming whether Baumgardner possesses the tools to challenge Dubois for undisputed supremacy. In the meantime, Dubois continues to sharpen her craft, delivering crisp combinations, relentless pressure, and a confidence that borders on swagger, all while defending her titles with poise and power.