Caroline Dubois has set her sights on a definitive clash with American contender Alycia Baumgardner in the coming year, hoping to secure an undisputed title in the lightweight division. Baumgardner is scheduled to face IBF champion Elif Nur Turhan for the world lightweight belt, a bout that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the early hours of Monday, November 9.
Dubois, who currently holds the unified WBC and WBO titles at 135 pounds, says she will pursue the victor of that fight in order to claim the undisputed crown, but she refuses to sit idle while waiting for the outcome. Instead, she plans to add another championship to her résumé by targeting the holder of the remaining WBA belt, Stephanie Han, before the year ends. "My goal is to become the undisputed champion and to stay involved in the most relevant fights," Dubois told Sky Sports. "Unifying the division is my dream right now.
The only other champion left is Han, and we’ll see if I can capture that belt before the end of the year. If not, I’ll have to look at early next year." She added, "Hopefully we’ll be unified world champions by the end of this year or early next.
I’m just one belt away from being undisputed." Dubois recently defended her titles successfully, defeating Amelia Moore in Birmingham last month. The victory was followed by a heated exchange of words with Baumgardner, who Dubois accused of feeling intimidated and envious. "She’s definitely intimidated by me," Dubois said.
"She’s scared of what I bring to the ring. When she looks at me, I know she sees a younger, stronger, more talented version of herself. Everything I do seems better than hers.
She’s threatened, she’s jealous, and she’s feeling a lot of emotions. I just hope she can focus, win her fight against Turhan, and then we can see who truly is the best." Dubois made it clear that she wants Baumgardner to win the Turhan bout, because a victory would set up the ultimate showdown. "I hope she wins the fight.
I’ll be really upset if she doesn’t because I need to prove something to her," she explained. "Elif Turhan versus Alycia Baumgardner is going to be an amazing fight. I want the winner, and I’ve been vocal about wanting to become undisputed.
The path has become clear now… so close, yet still far away." The upcoming Turhan‑Baumgardner clash is expected to be a pivotal moment for the lightweight division. Turhan, the reigning IBF champion, has been praised for her technical skill and resilience, while Baumgardner is known for her aggressive style and knockout power. If Baumgardner emerges victorious, she will hold the IBF belt and be positioned as the logical opponent for Dubois, who will still possess the WBC and WBO titles.
Conversely, if Turhan retains her crown, Dubois may need to negotiate a different route to the undisputed status, perhaps by pursuing a direct bout with Turhan herself or by securing the WBA belt from Han first. Dubois’s ambition reflects a broader trend in women’s boxing, where fighters are increasingly seeking to hold multiple world titles simultaneously, thereby raising the sport’s profile and offering fans clearer championship narratives.
The lightweight division, in particular, has seen a surge of talent in recent years, with athletes from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Turkey all competing at a high level. Dubois’s confidence and outspoken nature have made her a polarizing figure, but they have also generated significant media attention, which could help draw larger audiences to future fights. Beyond the immediate title implications, Dubois’s remarks highlight the psychological dimension of the sport. She described Baumgardner as "feeling threatened" and "jealous," suggesting that mental edges can be as decisive as physical preparation.
This perspective aligns with sports‑psychology research that emphasizes confidence, focus, and emotional regulation as critical components of elite performance. Dubois herself appears to be using the rivalry as motivation, channeling any perceived animosity into training intensity and strategic planning.
Looking ahead, Dubois has outlined a tentative timeline. She hopes to secure the WBA belt from Stephanie Han before the end of the calendar year, which would leave her just one championship away from undisputed status.
If that bout does not materialize in time, she is prepared to extend her campaign into early next year, potentially arranging a unification fight with the winner of Turhan versus Baumgardner. In either scenario, Dubois’s ultimate aim remains unchanged: to hold all four major world titles—WBC, WBO, IBF, and WBA—in the lightweight category, thereby cementing her legacy as one of the sport’s most dominant champions. Fans eager to follow the unfolding drama can tune in to Sky Sports on November 9 to watch Turhan versus Baumgardner live. The fight promises high stakes, with the lightweight division’s hierarchy hanging in the balance and the prospect of an undisputed showdown looming on the horizon.
Whether Dubois will face Baumgardner, Turhan, or another opponent, the path toward unification appears to be taking shape, driven by Dubois’s relentless pursuit of excellence and her determination to prove herself as the unequivocal leader of the lightweight ranks.