Caroline Dubois didn’t hold back on Saturday night, publicly branding her American rival Alycia Baumgardner a coward after a tense exchange at ringside. The two fighters have been linked to a blockbuster showdown ever since Baumgardner announced her intention to move up into Dubois’ lightweight division, where she will contest the IBF world title against Elif Nur Turhan on November 8.
The confrontation began moments after Dubois secured a unanimous decision victory over Amelia Moore in Birmingham. Baumgardner, who was watching from the audience, approached the ropes and engaged in a brief but heated verbal tug‑of‑war that was captured on the arena microphones.
The exchange only deepened an already simmering rivalry between the transatlantic competitors. Following the bout, Dubois took to the post‑fight press conference and openly criticized Baumgardner for not attending.
“I’m surprised she isn’t there. I think she’s a coward,” Dubois said, adding that she would have liked to confront her opponent face‑to‑face. “She should have come to the press conference. This is the biggest fight in women’s boxing.” Baumgardner, when later asked about Dubois’ comments, described Dubois’ performance as “lacklustre” and warned that the British champion would need to “tighten up” if she hoped to beat the former undisputed world champion.
The rivalry has taken on a broader narrative within the sport. Dubois countered by pointing out that Baumgardner has yet to secure marquee bouts against legends such as Katie Taylor or Claressa Shields.
She claimed she was already ahead of Baumgardner at 25 years old. “She’s trying to dismiss me, to make it look like I’m not on her level, but I am,” Dubois asserted. “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.” Dubois also expressed a measured optimism about Baumgardner’s upcoming fight with Turhan.
“I hope she wins against Elif, but you never know. Maybe Elif wins and then it’s me and her facing off, so let’s not write off Elif,” she said, indicating that the landscape could shift dramatically after November 8.
Another potential opponent for Dubois is Stephanie Han, who recently fought Holly Holm in a bout that saw Dubois retain her WBA lightweight title via a majority decision. Dubois recounted that MVP co‑founder Nakisa Bidarian flew her out earlier in the year to watch the Han‑Holm fight.
“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,” Dubois said. MVP founder Jake Paul, speaking to Sky Sports, confirmed that his promotion is fully prepared to sign contracts for a Dubois‑Baumgardner clash as soon as the fighters are ready.
“We are 100 per cent ready to go when they want to sign the contracts,” Paul said. He added that the timing of any bout would likely hinge on Baumgardner’s performance on November 8, after which negotiations could move forward. The feud has also drawn comments from other high‑profile boxers. Former champion Claressa Shields accused Baumgardner of being “scared” of Dubois, a claim the American dismissed as jealousy.
“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 replied, noting that fear is not a part of a fighter’s professional toolkit. Overall, the rivalry between Dubois and Baumgardner is shaping up to be more than just a personal spat; it reflects a broader shift in women’s boxing, where athletes are increasingly demanding headline‑making fights and refusing to be sidelined. With both women holding world titles in adjacent weight classes, a potential showdown could draw unprecedented attention and revenue, further cementing the sport’s growing global appeal. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely.
If Baumgardner defeats Turhan, a Dubois‑Baumgardner fight could be fast‑tracked, delivering what many are already calling the biggest bout in women’s boxing history. Conversely, if Turhan retains her title, the narrative may shift toward a Dubois‑Turhan clash, with Baumgardner perhaps seeking another high‑profile opponent.
Regardless of the eventual matchup, the animosity between Dubois and Baumgardner has already added a compelling storyline to the upcoming boxing calendar, promising heightened interest, larger audiences, and a showcase of elite talent that could elevate women’s boxing to new heights.