Caroline Dubois didn’t hold back 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 clash, found themselves in a heated verbal showdown when Baumgardner approached Dubois following Dubois’s unanimous decision victory over Amelia Moore in Birmingham.
The confrontation began when Baumgardner, who is preparing to move up to Dubois’ lightweight division for a title challenge against Elif Nur Turhan on November 8, tried to engage Dubois at the ropes. A brief tug‑of‑war over the microphone quickly escalated into a sharp exchange of words, further stoking the growing rivalry between the transatlantic opponents. Dubois later 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, “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.” Baumgardner, for her part, dismissed 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 in a future showdown. The feud also prompted Dubois to question why Baumgardner has yet to secure marquee fights against established stars such as Katie Taylor and Claressa Shields. “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 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 continued, “I think it will be a great fight, and I hope she wins against Elif, but you never know. Maybe it’s Elif who wins, and then it’ll be me and her facing off, so let’s not try to write off Elif.” While the Dubois‑Baumgardner matchup dominates headlines, another potential opponent has emerged in Stephanie Han. Dubois recently retained her WBA lightweight title with a majority decision over veteran Holly Holm, and she has expressed a clear interest in taking on Han next.
“Nakisa [MVP co‑founder Nakisa Bidarian] flew me out earlier this year to watch Stephanie fight against Holly Holm,” Dubois told reporters. “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.” The promotional side of the sport is equally active.
MVP founder Jake Paul, speaking to Sky Sports, confirmed that his organization is “100 per cent ready to go when they want to sign the contracts” for a Dubois‑Baumgardner bout. Paul added that the timing of such a fight would likely hinge on Baumgardner’s November 8 title challenge against Turhan. “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. “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 tension between the two fighters is not limited to the ring. Earlier, former undisputed champion Claressa Shields accused Baumgardner of being “scared” of Dubois, prompting the American to fire back, calling Shields “jealous.” This back‑and‑forth has only added fuel to an already smoldering rivalry that promoters hope will culminate in a landmark event for women’s boxing.
If the Dubois‑Baumgardner fight does materialise, it would represent a clash of styles and personalities. Dubois, known for her technical precision, speed, and disciplined approach, has quickly risen through the ranks to claim multiple world titles. Baumgardner, on the other hand, brings a more aggressive, power‑punching style that has earned her a reputation as a formidable opponent in the United States. Both fighters have expressed confidence that they can emerge victorious.
Dubois’s recent comments suggest she sees herself as the superior athlete, emphasizing her status as a reigning champion and her belief that she is already ahead of Baumgardner despite the latter’s move up in weight. Baumgardner, meanwhile, has hinted that she will be ready to test Dubois after her November 8 bout, regardless of the outcome.
The broader boxing calendar for 2026 is already packed with high‑profile matchups, and a Dubois‑Baumgardner showdown would be a marquee addition. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely, eager to see whether the British champion can maintain her dominance or if the American challenger will finally break through and claim a place at the top of the lightweight division. Regardless of how the negotiations unfold, the narrative surrounding these two athletes underscores a larger trend in women’s boxing: increasing visibility, higher stakes, and a growing appetite for headline‑grabbing fights. As promoters, fighters, and media continue to build the storylines, the sport is poised to attract new audiences and deliver memorable moments that could define the next era of women’s boxing.
In the meantime, Dubois remains vocal about her desire to face top‑tier opponents, whether that be Baumgardner, Stephanie Han, or another elite contender. Her willingness to call out rivals publicly demonstrates a strategic approach to building hype and ensuring that any future bout carries the weight of a genuine championship narrative. As the November 8 lightweight title fight approaches, all eyes will be on Baumgardner’s performance. A win could set the stage for a direct confrontation with Dubois, while a loss might shift the focus to other potential matchups, such as a rematch with Elif Nur Turhan or a fresh challenge against a different contender.
Either way, the saga between Dubois and Baumgardner has already captured the imagination of boxing enthusiasts worldwide, and the anticipation for the "biggest fight in women’s boxing" continues to build.