Claressa Shields has suggested that Alycia Baumgardner is avoiding a showdown with rising British star Caroline Dubois because she fears another blemish on her record. The American fighter, who holds the WBA, IBF, WBO and The Ring super‑featherweight titles, has repeatedly dismissed the idea of a bout with Dubois, calling it premature and insisting that the younger boxer has not yet reached her level.
Despite those comments, Dubois has continued to chase Baumgardner, especially after she unified the division above by beating Terri Harper in April. Dubois is slated to face 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 fight will be broadcast live on Sky Sports this Saturday, and Dubois has made it clear that Baumgardner is her next target. Having moved up and down weight classes herself, Shields speaks from experience when she explains why she believes Baumgardner is reluctant to accept the challenge. "When someone five pounds heavier is constantly knocking on your door, shouting that they will knock you out, you would think Alycia would step up, take the fight and prove herself," Shields told Sky Sports. "I think Baumgardner is 100 percent scared of Caroline and doesn’t want to risk her record now that she already has a loss on it.
I believe Caroline will win that fight." The conversation about Dubois has taken on a larger significance in the sport. Some analysts even suggest that she possesses the "ingredients" to become the successor to the legendary Taylor, and that she could be a key figure in the ongoing quest for undisputed status in women's boxing. Baumgardner, meanwhile, is planning to move up to lightweight to challenge Elif Nur Turhan for the IBF lightweight title on November 8. A victory there could bring a blockbuster showdown with Dubois a step closer, as the two would then be competing in the same weight class.
Since her own meteoric rise—winning back‑to‑back Olympic gold medals and maintaining an unbeaten 19‑fight record—Shields has proclaimed herself the Greatest Woman Of All Time (GWOAT). She acknowledges that she will eventually have to pass the torch, and she has already identified a likely heir. "When they asked me who will carry the torch after I retire, I said Caroline Dubois," Shields said.
"Gabriela Fundora will also be a force, but right now Caroline is right there. She calls out the biggest and best, she wants the biggest fights, she’s confident, loud, aggressive, and she’s delivering knockouts at the perfect time." Dubois, the unified WBC and WBO lightweight champion, is one of the most exciting prospects in British and women's boxing. A win over Moore in Birmingham would move her a step closer to undisputed status and cement her reputation as a future legend.
Shields has taken a personal interest in Dubois' career, offering mentorship and support. "Caroline has her own name now," Shields explained.
"If she wants to be called the GWOAT, she’s breaking records and earning accolades, and I’m not going to be mad about it as long as she keeps doing GWOAT things—fighting the best, winning, and collecting belts. My accomplishments will be hard to beat; I just became a 21‑time world champion last week, but Caroline has the IT factor and will fight anyone." Shields also promised to be there for Dubois whenever she needs assistance.
"If she ever needs me in camp, I’ll be there. We joke about sparring together; one day it will happen," she said. "She’s already asked me for advice, and I told her to enjoy her career, make it her own, chase whatever she wants, always prepare, and never underestimate any opponent." The upcoming Sky Sports broadcast will feature not only the Mayer‑Cameron clash but also Dubois' performance against Moore. Fans can watch the event live on Sky Sports or stream it contract‑free through NOW, with a recommendation to use Chrome for the best video experience.
In summary, the tension between Baumgardner and Dubois reflects a broader narrative in women's boxing: a younger generation eager to test themselves against established champions, while veterans like Shields watch, mentor, and sometimes predict the next era. Whether Baumgardner will eventually step up to face Dubois remains to be seen, but the conversation has already added intrigue to the sport’s evolving landscape.