Alycia Baumgardner brushed aside the chatter suggesting she’s intimidated by Caroline Dubois and firmly asserted that the London‑born fighter has not yet reached her own tier, even as speculation swirls about a potential clash between the two. The American champion, who holds the WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring super‑featherweight belts, was recently accused by former world champion Claressa Shields of dodging a bout with Dubois out of fear of incurring a second professional loss. Baumgardner, however, laughed off the allegation, insisting that any notion of being scared is antithetical to the mindset required for a sport as demanding as boxing.
The conversation intensified this week after Baumgardner’s upcoming title defense against Turkey’s Elif Nur Turhan was announced for November 8, while Dubois is set to meet Amelia Moore on Saturday in the co‑main event of MVPW‑06, which also features Mikaela Mayer versus Chantelle Cameron. With both champions slated to win their respective fights, the boxing community is eagerly watching for a possible showdown that could pit the two women’s titles against each other.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Baumgardner said, “Claressa has always been jealous of me because she doesn’t fight in my weight class and can’t command the biggest fights.” She added, “I could never be scared of anyone. You don’t feel fear when you’re doing a sport like this.” The American fighter also hinted that a bout with Dubois would be premature for the 25‑year‑old Briton, who is defending her WBC and WBO lightweight crowns against Moore in the co‑main event.
Baumgardner praised Dubois’s hunger and determination, but she believes the British boxer still has work to do before earning a shot at the super‑featherweight throne. “She’s a hungry fighter and I respect that,” Baumgardner explained. “But when you step up to the plate you’re stepping up to a big dog.
I’m a big dog, she’s still a puppy. There’s a clear difference, and I love that she wants to test herself.” During a press conference in Birmingham, Baumgardner surprised former rival Mikaela Mayer by posing a question from the front row. When asked what she would ask Dubois directly, Baumgardner replied, “I’d ask 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 need to ask those kinds of questions. People talk, but I’m in the USA now—this is my country.” While the prospect of a Dubois‑Baumgardner fight looms large, Baumgardner cautioned against overlooking her upcoming opponent, the unbeaten IBF lightweight champion Turhan, who boasts a perfect 14‑0 record with eight knockouts.
“I think the boxing world wants that fight with me and Caroline, but I’m not ignoring anything,” she said. “It could be anyone’s night. I’ve seen Amelia Moore, she’s game, but anything can happen on fight night.” MVP co‑founder Nakisa Bidarian warned both fighters not to underestimate their opponents, but she also expressed excitement about a potential Baumgardner‑Dubois clash, believing it would capture global attention.
“Caroline has a tough test this Saturday against Amelia Moore, a decorated amateur,” Bidarian told Sky Sports. “Look at Amanda Serrano’s fight last weekend—people thought she would dominate the 27‑year‑old, even she probably thought she’d annihilate her.
If Caroline stays focused and Alycia can get past Turhan, who is a knockout monster, that would be a super fight that could engage fans worldwide in women’s boxing.” Mayer, who suffered one of her two career defeats at the hands of Baumgardner in October 2022 via a split decision she still feels should have gone her way, also weighed in on the scenario. She noted that Turhan presents a significant obstacle that could derail any plans for a Dubois‑Baumgardner matchup. “It’s a great fight that definitely needs to happen,” Mayer said. “Alycia finally moved up to 135.
She hasn’t taken a challenge since me, and it’s time for her to do that. Turhan is a tough test. 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 matchups underscores a broader trend in women’s boxing: the push for high‑profile, cross‑weight battles that can elevate the sport’s visibility. With Baumgardner holding multiple world titles at super featherweight, Dubois reigning as a lightweight champion, and Turhan emerging as an unbeaten contender, the stakes are high for each fighter’s legacy and for the sport’s growth.
Fans can catch the upcoming action live on Sky Sports, where the Mayer‑Cameron bout will headline alongside Dubois versus Moore. For those without a traditional TV subscription, streaming options are available through platforms that offer contract‑free boxing coverage, ensuring that the excitement reaches a global audience. In summary, while rumors of a Baumgardner‑Dubois showdown continue to swirl, the American champion remains focused on her immediate challenge against Turhan, confident in her abilities and unafraid of any opponent. Dubois, meanwhile, is preparing to defend her lightweight titles against a formidable amateur in Moore.
Whether the two eventually meet in the ring will depend on the outcomes of these upcoming fights, but the anticipation alone is already fueling a wave of enthusiasm for women’s boxing in 2026.