Alycia Baumgardner brushed off any notion that she is intimidated by Caroline Dubois, insisting that the British prospect has not yet reached her own level as discussions about a possible showdown continue to swirl. The American holder of the WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring super‑featherweight belts was recently accused by former champion Claressa Shields of dodging a fight with Dubois out of fear of suffering a second professional loss.
Both fighters have, however, found themselves on parallel paths this week. Baumgardner is slated to defend her world titles against Turkey’s unbeaten Elif Nur Turhan on November 8, while Dubois will step into the ring with Amelia Moore this Saturday. The winners of those bouts could soon be looking at each other. When asked by Sky Sports about the alleged rivalry, Baumgardner said, "Claressa has always been jealous of me because she doesn’t fight in my weight class and she can’t land the biggest fights.
But I could never be scared of anyone. You don’t get scared when you’re doing a sport like this." The comment was a clear rebuttal to the narrative that Shields might be trying to protect her own legacy by painting Dubois as a threat. Baumgardner has previously hinted that a clash with Dubois would be premature for the 25‑year‑old Briton. Dubois is currently defending her WBC and WBO lightweight crowns in the co‑main event of MVPW‑06, sharing the card with Mikaela Mayer versus Chantelle Cameron.
While Baumgardner admires Dubois’s hunger and work ethic, she believes the English fighter still needs to prove herself before earning a shot at a seasoned champion like herself. "She’s still working to reach my level, but I love that she’s hungry and wants a challenge," Baumgardner explained. "When you step up to the plate you’re stepping up to a big dog. I’m the big dog; she’s still a puppy.
There’s a difference, but I respect her ambition." During a press conference in Birmingham, Baumgardner surprised former rival Mikaela Mayer by asking a pointed question from the front row. She wondered aloud what Dubois might be thinking when she asks trainers that Baumgardner has worked with about how she could beat her. "Why not be confident in yourself? If you are, you don’t need to ask those kinds of questions," Baumgardner said, adding a cheeky reminder that she now lives and trains in the United States.
The prospect of a Baumgardner‑Dubois bout remains tantalising, yet the champion is careful not to overlook the challenge presented by Turhan. The Turkish fighter arrives with a flawless 14‑0 record, eight of those victories coming by knockout, and is widely regarded as a formidable opponent.
"I know the boxing world wants to see me and Caroline fight, but I’m not ignoring anything. It could be anyone’s night," Baumgardner warned. "I’ve seen Amelia Moore, I know she’s game, and I understand that any of these fights could open doors for different match‑ups." MVP co‑founder Nakisa Bidarian echoed the sentiment that both Baumgardner and Dubois must respect their upcoming opponents. She noted, "Caroline has no easy fight this Saturday; Amelia Moore is a decorated amateur.
Look at Amanda Serrano’s fight last weekend—people thought she would dominate the 27‑year‑old, even Serrano probably thought she would annihilate her opponent. If Caroline stays focused and handles her business, and if Alycia can get past Turhan, who is a knockout monster, we’ll have a super‑fight that could capture the global boxing audience." Mayer, who suffered one of her two career defeats at the hands of Baumgardner in October 2022 via split decision—a result she still believes should have gone her way—also weighed in on the upcoming Turhan fight. "It’s a great fight that needs to happen. Alycia finally moved up to 135 pounds.
She hasn’t taken a real challenge since me, and that was years ago. So it’s time for her to step up. Turhan is a tough test," Mayer said. "If she gets caught by one of Turhan’s power shots, the whole trajectory could change, and we might see Dubois versus Turhan instead." The narrative surrounding these potential match‑ups underscores a broader trend in women’s boxing: the sport is hungry for marquee fights that can draw mainstream attention.
With multiple champions across weight classes and a growing fan base, promoters are keen to craft storylines that pit the most marketable fighters against each other. Baumgardner’s confidence, Dubois’s youthful aggression, Shields’s veteran presence, and the rising stars like Turhan and Moore all contribute to a dynamic landscape where any bout could become the next big event. As the November 8 title defense approaches, all eyes will be on whether Baumgardner can maintain her dominance against Turhan’s power and precision.
A victory would solidify her claim as the pre‑eminent super‑featherweight and likely accelerate talks of a showdown with Dubois. Conversely, a loss could open a new pathway for Dubois to claim a higher‑profile fight, perhaps against Turhan herself. Either way, the next few weeks promise to shape the hierarchy of women’s boxing for the remainder of 2026 and beyond. Fans can catch the upcoming bouts live on Sky Sports or via contract‑free streaming platforms that offer boxing coverage without long‑term commitments.
The sport’s growing accessibility means that even casual viewers can tune in to witness the drama, skill, and determination that define the modern era of women’s boxing.