Caroline Dubois sailed through a formidable challenge from Amelia Moore before engaging in a heated verbal exchange with fellow contender Alycia Baumgardner at ringside, setting the stage for a possible blockbuster showdown between the two. The London‑born champion displayed little vulnerability throughout the bout, delivering a dominant performance that earned her a unanimous decision on the judges' scorecards—99‑90, 99‑90 and 98‑91—and allowed her to retain both her WBC and WBO lightweight world titles in the co‑main event of MVPW‑06 in Birmingham on Saturday. Following the victory, Dubois entered into 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 throughout the Birmingham fight week, even questioning former rival Mikaela Mayer during her final press conference and reiterating her belief that Dubois has yet to reach her own level of greatness. "That was a lackluster performance," Baumgardner declared.
"You need to tighten up, baby girl. You were tired, really tired. I'm going to show you what a champion does—an undisputed champion does that.
I'm at lightweight now." Dubois fired back with equal intensity: "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." She continued, "I love that energy. If you get past Elif Nur Turhan, there will be no denying it between you and me. Everything I've asked for has happened. I'm going to knock this bum out, you better believe it." The fight itself began with Dubois taking the initiative, unleashing a rapid series of body punches in the opening round that immediately forced Moore to adjust to her aggressive tempo despite the American's longer reach.
In the second round, Dubois sought to establish her preferred range, countering Moore's more measured, counter‑punching style and finishing the two‑minute interval with a crisp overhand right to Moore's head. Rounds three and four saw Dubois maintain control, targeting Moore's torso with precise combinations while the American struggled to locate her own rhythm against Dubois' swift footwork and sharp angles. The turning point arrived in round five when Dubois secured a knockdown that appeared to result more from Moore losing her balance than from sheer punching power. Seizing the moment, Dubois pressed forward with a ferocious barrage, capping the assault with a powerful right hook that kept Moore on the defensive.
In round seven, Dubois continued to pepper Moore with sharp hooks to the head, eventually breaking through the American's guard with a clean straight left that further emphasized Dubois' technical superiority. By round eight, blood began to trickle from Moore's nose, yet Dubois remained unrelenting, dictating the pace despite a late surge from Moore in the ninth round. The final round saw Moore re‑engage with renewed vigor, even sustaining a cut from an accidental clash of heads. Nevertheless, Dubois' composure never wavered, and she secured the unanimous decision, reinforcing her status as the preeminent lightweight champion.
The evening also featured other notable performances. Terri Harper made a triumphant return to the ring, delivering a clinical second‑round stoppage of Houston's Miranda Reyes.
Harper opened the bout with a perfectly timed left hand that sent Reyes to the canvas. After Reyes rose, Harper unleashed a flurry of hooks followed by a crushing right hand that forced a second knockdown.
When Reyes attempted to stand again, the referee wisely intervened, ending the contest. Harper later told Sky Sports, "One of the best performances of my career.
I'm very happy with that. It's good to build the fight up, but you can't get rid of me that easily!
This journey through the highs and lows of my boxing career has been incredible, and I'm grateful MVP brought me back so soon after my last fight. I've got a lot more to give you!" In another exciting bout, American Reina Tellez displayed ferocious aggression to outpoint Jessica Barry, earning a 96‑94 victory.
Tellez, who famously stepped in on just 15 days' notice to fight the legendary Amanda Serrano earlier in the year, showcased cleaner, more eye‑catching punches throughout a back‑and‑forth battle. She explained to Sky Sports, "I feel a little bit of ring rust, but overall I feel great. There were moments in the fight, but that's what comes with experience.
I'm grateful for the platform and opportunity I've been given. She showed a lot of heart, a good opponent with a different style.
I give her respect, but overall I dominated the fight." Tellez controlled the first four rounds with rapid hand speed, accuracy, and power, repeatedly targeting Barry's head. Barry rallied in the fifth round, landing a solid upper‑cut, and remained resilient, even after a point deduction for a low blow in round six.
Tellez responded with a brutal right hand in round eight that visibly troubled Barry, but the American fighter continued to meet fire with fire. Ultimately, Tellez's relentless output and full‑blooded attacks secured the win. Finally, Tysie Gallagher celebrated her MVP debut with a points victory over Chicago's Brandi Robinson, improving her professional record to 11‑2. Gallagher admitted, "I'm not particularly happy about the performance, couldn't really get going, first one back, no excuses.
I'll be back 100 percent next time." Overall, the night in Birmingham highlighted the depth of talent across multiple weight classes, underscored Dubois' dominance in the lightweight division, and set the stage for future high‑stakes matchups that fans will be eagerly anticipating.