Caroline Dubois publicly branded Alycia Baumgardner a coward after a tense exchange took place at ringside on Saturday night. The two fighters, who hail from opposite sides of the Atlantic, have been linked to a blockbuster showdown ever since Baumgardner announced her intention to move up into Dubois’ weight class.
Baumgardner is set to challenge Elif Nur Turhan for the IBF lightweight world title on November 8, a bout that could pave the way for a clash with Dubois. The confrontation began when Baumgardner, who was watching from the audience, approached Dubois at the ropes immediately after Dubois secured a unanimous decision victory over Amelia Moore in Birmingham.
What started as a brief interaction quickly escalated into a tug‑of‑war over the microphone and a flurry of sharp words that only intensified the brewing rivalry. Dubois later took aim at Baumgardner’s decision to skip her post‑fight press conference, calling her absence a sign of cowardice.
“I’m surprised she isn’t there. I think she’s a coward,” Dubois said. “I wish she were here so I could say it to her face.
I really do. She should have come to the press conference. This is the biggest fight in women’s boxing.” Baumgardner, for her part, described Dubois’s performance as lackluster and warned that the British champion would need to “tighten up” if she hoped to beat the former undisputed world champion.
The exchange has added fuel to a fire that already includes talk of a possible super‑fight between the two. Dubois fired back by questioning why Baumgardner has not yet secured high‑profile bouts against established stars such as Katie Taylor and Claressa Shields. She also asserted that she was already ahead of Baumgardner’s level despite being only 25 years old. “She’s trying hard 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 she wins against Elif, but you never know. Maybe Elif wins and then it’ll be me and her facing off, so let’s not write off Elif.” The conversation also touched on other potential opponents for Dubois.
After defending her WBA lightweight title with a majority decision over Holly Holm, Dubois mentioned Stephanie Han as a possible next challenger. “Nakisa [MVP co‑founder Nakisa Bidarian] flew me out earlier this year to watch Stephanie fight Holly Holm,” Dubois explained. “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.” MVP founder Jake Paul, speaking to Sky Sports, said his organization is fully prepared to sign contracts for a Dubois‑Baumgardner showdown whenever the fighters are ready.
“We’re 100 percent ready to go when they want to sign the contracts,” Paul affirmed. “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.” The rivalry has also drawn comments from other big names in the sport.
Former undisputed champion Claressa Shields accused Baumgardner of being scared of Dubois, a charge the American responded to by labeling Shields “jealous.” Baumgardner, however, dismissed the notion of fear, insisting she will face Turhan on November 8 and then discuss future fights. “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 said on her behalf. With the lightweight division heating up, fans are eagerly watching how these verbal sparrings will translate into actual match‑ups.
If Baumgardner defeats Turhan, a bout with Dubois could become the marquee event that defines women’s boxing for the year. Conversely, if Dubois continues to dominate, she may elect to pursue other top‑ranked opponents like Stephanie Han or even revisit a clash with the legendary Holly Holm. Regardless of the outcome, the exchange between Dubois and Baumgardner underscores the growing visibility and competitiveness of women’s boxing. Their willingness to call each other out publicly, challenge one another’s credibility, and demand high‑stakes fights reflects a new era where female fighters are not only skilled athletes but also savvy promoters of their own narratives.
As the sport moves toward 2026, the calendar is already packed with major bouts, and the potential Dubois‑Baumgardner clash stands out as a headline‑grabbing encounter that could draw significant attention, sponsorship, and viewership. For now, the boxing world remains on edge, waiting to see whether the two will finally meet in the ring, and if so, which fighter will emerge as the definitive champion of the lightweight division.
The anticipation continues to build, and the stakes have never been higher for either athlete.