Claressa Shields has suggested that Alycia Baumgardner is avoiding a showdown with Caroline Dubois because she fears another blemish on her record. The WBA, IBF, WBO and The Ring super‑featherweight champion has repeatedly dismissed the idea of a bout with the British prodigy, calling the timing premature and insisting that Dubois has not yet reached her level.
Despite Baumgardner’s remarks, Dubois has continued to chase the American champion, especially after she secured a unification win over Terri Harper in April, cementing her status as the division’s top contender. Dubois is slated to fight unbeaten former U.S.
Olympian Amelia Moore in the co‑main event of MVPW‑06 in Birmingham, a card that also features 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 as her next opponent.
As a multi‑division world champion, Shields brings personal experience to the discussion, having moved up weight classes herself, and she used that background to explain why she believes Baumgardner is hesitant to accept Dubois’ challenge. "When you have someone five pounds heavier knocking on your door, trash‑talking, promising to knock you out, and constantly calling you out, you would think Alycia would step up, gain the weight and prove herself," 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 one loss. She doesn’t want to take that risk.
I believe Caroline will win that fight." The conversation about Dubois’ future has sparked speculation about her potential to replace the legendary Katie Taylor as the face of women’s boxing. In the broader context of 2026 boxing, fans are eager to see when the next marquee fights will happen, and streaming platforms like NOW are offering contract‑free options for viewers.
Meanwhile, the Toe2Toe podcast continues to deliver weekly boxing analysis. Baumgardner is scheduled to move up to lightweight to challenge Elif Nur Turhan for the IBF title on November 8.
That move could bring a high‑profile clash with Dubois closer to reality, especially if both fighters continue to dominate their respective divisions. Shields, who has amassed an unbeaten 19‑fight record with back‑to‑back Olympic gold medals, has declared herself the Greatest Woman Of All Time (GWOAT) and is already thinking about her legacy. When asked who might inherit her mantle, Shields pointed directly at Dubois. "They asked me who I think will carry the torch after I’m gone and I said, listen, it’s going to be Caroline Dubois," she said.
"I also see Gabriela Fundora as a future champion, but right now Caroline is right there. She’s calling out the biggest and best, she wants the biggest fights, she’s confident, she’s loud, she’s aggressive, she’s scoring knockouts, and she’s doing it at the perfect time." Dubois, who now holds the unified WBC and WBO lightweight titles, is one of the most exciting prospects in British and women’s boxing. A victory over Moore in Birmingham would move her a step closer to undisputed status. Shields has taken a keen interest in Dubois’ career, pledging her support regardless of the path the young fighter chooses.
"Caroline has her own brand," Shields explained. "If she wants to be called the GWOAT, and she’s breaking records and collecting accolades, I’m not going to be upset as long as she’s doing GWOAT‑type things—fighting the best, winning, and stacking belts. My achievements will be hard to surpass. I just became a 21‑time world champion last week, but Caroline has that ‘IT’ factor and she’ll fight anyone." Shields added that she is ready to help Dubois in any capacity.
"I’ll be there supporting her. If she ever needs me in camp or anything, she knows I’ll be there. We joke about sparring; one day it will happen.
She’s already asked me for advice and I’ve given it. I told her to enjoy her career, make it about herself, do whatever she wants, always prepare, and never underestimate an opponent." The upcoming Sky Sports broadcast will feature not only the Mayer‑Cameron bout but also Dubois in action, giving fans a chance to see the future of women’s boxing live. Those interested can subscribe to Sky Sports or stream the fights through a contract‑free boxing service. The narrative surrounding Baumgardner, Dubois, and Shields highlights a generational shift in the sport, with the younger fighters eager to test themselves against established champions while the legends look on, ready to pass the torch when the time is right.