Alycia Baumgardner brushed off any notion that she is intimidated by Caroline Dubois, insisting that the British fighter has not yet earned the right to challenge her. The comments came after Claressa Shields suggested that Baumgardner was avoiding a bout with Dubois out of fear of a second professional loss.
Baumgardner, who currently holds the WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring super‑featherweight titles, has been busy promoting her upcoming world‑title clash with Turkey’s unbeaten champion Elif Nur Turhan on November 8. At the same time, Dubois is slated to face Amelia Moore in a co‑main event on Saturday.
With both fighters set to win, the boxing world is already speculating about a potential showdown between the two victors. "Claressa has always been jealous of me," Baumgardner told Sky Sports. "She fights in a different weight class, so she can’t make the biggest fights like I do.
But I could never be scared of anyone. You don’t get scared when you’re doing this sport." Baumgardner has previously hinted that a fight with Dubois would be premature for the 25‑year‑old Briton, who will defend her WBC and WBO lightweight titles against Moore in the co‑main event of MVPW‑06, which also features Mikaela Mayer versus Chantelle Cameron.
While Baumgardner admires Dubois’s hunger and work ethic, she believes the French‑born fighter still needs to prove herself before stepping into a bout of that magnitude. "She’s still got to reach my level, but I love her hunger and I’m all for her wanting a big challenge," Baumgardner explained. "When you step up to the plate you’re facing a big dog.
I’m the big dog, she’s still a puppy. There’s a difference, but I respect the ambition." During a press conference in Birmingham, Baumgardner surprised former rival Mikaela Mayer by asking a pointed question from the front row. When asked what she would pose to Dubois, she replied, "I’d ask her why she feels the need to go to other trainers I’ve worked with and ask how she can beat me.
If you’re confident, you don’t ask those kinds of questions. People love to talk, but I’m in the USA now—this is my country." The prospect of a Dubois‑Baumgardner fight looms large, yet Baumgardner emphasized that she is not looking past Turhan, who boasts a flawless 14‑0 record with eight knockouts. "I think the boxing world wants that fight with me and Caroline, but I’m not ignoring anything. It could be anyone’s night," she said.
"I’ve seen Amelia Moore, she’s a tough competitor, and any opponent could create an upset." MVP co‑founder Nakisa Bidarian warned that both Dubois and Baumgardner must avoid underestimating their opponents. She noted, "Caroline has a tough test against Amelia Moore this Saturday. Look at Amanda Serrano’s fight last weekend—people thought she would dominate the 27‑year‑old, even Serrano herself was confident of a quick victory. If Caroline stays focused and Alycia can get past Turhan, who is a knockout monster, we would have a super fight that could capture global attention for women’s boxing." Mayer, who suffered a split‑decision loss to Baumgardner in October 2022—a result she still believes should have gone her way—also weighed in on the potential matchup.
"It’s a fight that definitely needs to happen," Mayer said. "Alycia finally moved up to 135 pounds. She hasn’t taken a real challenge since me, and it’s time for her to do that.
Turhan is a powerful opponent, and if Alycia gets caught, the whole trajectory could change, possibly leading to a Dubois‑Turhan bout instead." The narrative surrounding these fighters is more than just speculation; it reflects a broader shift in women’s boxing toward higher‑profile matchups and deeper talent pools. Baumgardner’s confidence stems from her experience defending multiple world titles across several sanctioning bodies, while Dubois’s rapid rise through the lightweight ranks has generated excitement among fans eager to see a new generation of stars clash. If a Baumgardner‑Dubois showdown were to materialize, it would likely be billed as a clash of styles: Baumgardner’s aggressive, high‑pressure approach versus Dubois’s technical precision and footwork.
Both athletes have expressed admiration for each other’s dedication, yet they remain wary of underestimating the power and skill of their respective opponents. The upcoming fights—Baumgardner versus Turhan and Dubois versus Moore—will serve as pivotal indicators of whether the two champions are ready to meet.
A decisive victory for either side could fast‑track negotiations, while an upset could reshape the landscape and open new pathways for other contenders. Regardless of the outcome, the conversation underscores a growing appetite for marquee women’s bouts that draw mainstream attention.
Promoters, broadcasters, and fans alike are watching closely, hoping that the sport will continue to deliver compelling narratives and high‑caliber competition. In the meantime, viewers can catch the scheduled events live on Sky Sports or stream them through contract‑free boxing platforms. As the calendar fills with high‑stakes matchups, the question remains: will Baumgardner finally accept the challenge and face Dubois, or will the path to that dream fight be altered by an unexpected upset? Only time—and the results of the upcoming fights—will tell.