Caroline Dubois didn’t mince words on Saturday night, branding her American counterpart Alycia Baumgardner a coward after a tense exchange at ringside. The two fighters, who have been linked to a blockbuster bout, found themselves at odds when Baumgardner approached Dubois following the French champion’s unanimous decision victory over Amelia Moore in Birmingham. The brief encounter quickly escalated into a microphone tug‑of‑war and a flurry of barbed remarks, adding fresh fuel to an already simmering rivalry. The confrontation took place just after Dubois’ win, when Baumgardner, who is slated to move up to Dubois’ weight class for a November 8 title challenge against IBF lightweight champion Elif Nur Turhan, stepped up to the ropes.
Dubois seized the moment to criticize Baumgardner’s absence from the post‑fight press conference, stating, “I’m surprised she isn’t there. I think she’s a coward.
I wish she was here so I could say it to her face. I really do.
I think she’s a coward because she isn’t here today. She should have come to the press conference. This is the biggest fight in women’s boxing.” Dubois’ comments were captured on video and quickly spread across social media, prompting a flurry of reactions from fans and pundits alike. In response, Baumgardner dismissed Dubois’ performance as “lacklustre” and warned that the British champion would need to “tighten up” if she hoped to defeat the former undisputed world champion.
The back‑and‑forth has turned what was already a highly anticipated matchup into a narrative of personal animosity, with each fighter using the media to gain a psychological edge. The stakes are high.
Baumgardner’s upcoming fight with Turhan on November 8 is a pivotal step toward a possible clash with Dubois. If Baumgardner captures the IBF lightweight belt, a unification bout would not only settle the personal feud but also crown a clear leader in the division. Dubois, meanwhile, has already secured the WBA lightweight title after a majority‑decision win over veteran Holly Holm, further solidifying her claim to the top spot.
Adding another layer to the intrigue, Dubois pointed out that Baumgardner has yet to secure marquee fights against legends such as Katie Taylor and Claressa Shields. She argued that at 25 years old, she is already “better” than Baumgardner and suggested that the American’s reluctance to face top‑tier opponents is a sign of insecurity. “She’s tried as hard as she can to dismiss me and make it seem like I’m not on her level, but I am,” Dubois said. “I’m the world champion, and she’s moving up to my division.
Yeah, I think this is the biggest fight in women’s boxing. I think it will be a great fight, and I hope that she wins against Elif, but you never know.
Maybe it’s Elif who wins, and it’ll be me and her facing off, so let’s not try and write off Elif.” Dubois also mentioned another potential opponent, Stephanie Han, who recently fought Holly Holm. Dubois recounted that MVP co‑founder Nakisa Bidarian flew her out earlier in the year to watch Han’s bout. “I went to the press conference afterwards.
I wasn’t afraid to come to the press conference. I called her out openly there and then, and she promised me we would do it, that it is a fight that’s going to happen, and I intend to hold her to that. I want to fight Stephanie,” she explained.
MVP founder Jake Paul, speaking to Sky Sports, confirmed that his promotion is ready to finalize contracts for a Dubois‑Baumgardner showdown as soon as both camps are prepared. “We are 100 percent ready to go when they want to sign the contracts,” Paul said, emphasizing that the fight is merely a matter of timing. The feud has also drawn comments from other prominent figures in the sport.
Former champion Claressa Shields accused Baumgardner of being “scared” of Dubois, a charge the American quickly rebuffed by labeling Shields as “jealous.” Baumgardner responded, “Alycia is not scared of anyone, I know it’s going to happen, she has to get through November 8 and then we can have those discussions.” Paul added, “I think it’s funny when fans or critics say certain people are scared of somebody – they aren’t scared, it’s what they do for a living.” With the November 8 lightweight title fight looming, the narrative is set to shift from verbal sparring to a physical showdown. If Baumgardner defeats Turhan, a Dubois‑Baumgardner clash could become the marquee event that defines women’s boxing for the year, drawing comparisons to historic fights that have elevated the sport’s profile. Conversely, if Turhan retains her belt, the conversation may pivot to a potential Dubois‑Turhan encounter, further expanding the landscape of high‑stakes matchups. Beyond the immediate drama, the rivalry highlights broader themes in women’s boxing: the quest for recognition, the importance of cross‑Atlantic matchups, and the growing commercial interest from promoters eager to capitalize on compelling storylines.
Both Dubois and Baumgardner have built substantial followings, and their willingness to engage in public disputes demonstrates a savvy understanding of how narrative can drive ticket sales, pay‑per‑view buys, and media coverage. In summary, the Dubois‑Baumgardner saga is more than a series of insults; it is a strategic battle for positioning within a rapidly evolving sport.
Whether the two eventually meet in the ring or continue to circle each other through press conferences, the anticipation they have generated is already reshaping the conversation around women’s boxing and promising fans an exciting future.