Caroline Dubois has set her sights on a definitive clash with American contender Alycia Baumgardner as part of her quest for undisputed status in the lightweight division next year. Baumgardner is scheduled to face the reigning IBF champion Elif Nur Turhan for the lightweight world title in 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 belts at 135 pounds, has made it clear that she intends to fight the victor of that encounter in order to claim the undisputed crown, but she refuses to sit idly by while the titles are contested.
Instead, Dubois plans to add another championship belt to her collection before the year ends, targeting the holder of the WBA lightweight title, Stephanie Han. "I want to become undisputed and I want to be involved in relevant fights. To unify the division is my dream right now," Dubois told Sky Sports.
"The only other champion [available] is Han and we'll just have to see if I can get it in before the end of the year. If not we'll have to go early next year." She added, "Hopefully we'll be unified world champion by the end of this year or early next. One belt away from becoming undisputed." The British fighter’s confidence stems from a recent successful defense of her titles, where she stopped Amelia Moore in Birmingham last month.
That victory was followed by a heated exchange of words with Baumgardner, who Dubois described as feeling intimidated and jealous of her rapid rise. "She's most definitely intimidated by me.
She's frightened of what I bring to the table. When she looks at me I know that she sees a younger, better, stronger, more talented, more everything better than her.
Everything I do is just better than her. I feel like she's threatened by that," Dubois said. She continued, "Everything that she has had to work so hard to get I've had it and I've achieved it in such quick succession.
She's threatened, she's jealous. She's feeling a lot of emotions and all I can say is I hope she can focus herself, get that win [over Turhan] and we can find out who's the best." Dubois made it clear that she would be disappointed if Baumgardner were to lose, because a victory would set up the ultimate showdown she desires. "I hope she wins the fight.
I'm going to be real upset if she doesn't win because I need to show her something," she explained. "Elif Turhan, the champion, versus Alycia Baumgardner, the contender, is going to be an awesome fight. I want the winner.
I've made it very clear. I feel like I have been very vocal about the fact that I want to become undisputed." The British champion believes the path to undisputed status is now visible.
"The path has revealed itself to me. The path has become clear now... So close, but so far," she said, acknowledging the challenges that still lie ahead.
To understand the stakes, it helps to look at the broader landscape of women’s lightweight boxing. The division currently has four major sanctioning bodies—WBC, WBO, IBF, and WBA—each with its own champion. Dubois already controls two of those belts, while Turhan holds the IBF title and Han the WBA. Unifying all four would not only cement Dubois’s legacy but also bring greater visibility to women’s boxing, a sport that has been gaining momentum and mainstream attention in recent years.
Dubois’s recent defense against Amelia Moore was a technical showcase that demonstrated her speed, footwork, and punching power. Moore, a durable opponent, was outclassed by Dubois’s superior ring IQ and conditioning, leading to a decisive stoppage.
That performance reinforced Dubois’s claim that she is ready to take on any opponent, regardless of their experience or reputation. On the other side of the Atlantic, Baumgardner has built a reputation as a hard‑hitting, aggressive fighter who earned her contender status by defeating several ranked opponents. Her upcoming bout with Turhan is expected to be a clash of styles: Baumgardner’s pressure fighting versus Turhan’s tactical boxing.
The outcome will determine which fighter Dubois will face next, and both athletes have expressed respect for each other’s abilities, despite the trash‑talk that has surrounded their rivalry. If Baumgardner wins, Dubois will likely negotiate a fight for the undisputed title in early 2025, aiming to capture the WBA belt from Stephanie Han before the calendar turns. If Turhan retains, Dubois may have to adjust her timeline, potentially seeking a unification bout with Turhan directly or waiting for a rematch between Turhan and Baumgardner.
Beyond the immediate logistics, Dubois’s ambition reflects a larger trend among elite boxers who seek to clear the fragmentation that has long plagued the sport. By holding all four major belts, a champion eliminates the confusion for fans and creates a clear, marketable champion who can command larger purses and attract broader media coverage.
Dubois’s confidence is also rooted in her training camp, which has been praised for its meticulous preparation and focus on both physical conditioning and mental resilience. Her coaches emphasize a balanced approach that includes technical sparring, strength and conditioning, and psychological coaching to handle the pressure of high‑stakes fights. Meanwhile, the promotional side of the sport is gearing up for a potential historic event.
Sky Sports, the broadcaster for both the Turhan‑Baumgardner fight and any future Dubois‑Baumgardner showdown, has hinted at special coverage, pay‑per‑view options, and extensive promotional material to maximize viewership. The prospect of an undisputed women’s lightweight champion could draw record audiences, especially as interest in women's combat sports continues to rise globally. In summary, Caroline Dubois is not merely waiting for the division to align; she is actively pursuing additional titles, engaging in strategic matchmaking, and publicly stating her intent to become the undisputed lightweight champion.
Her recent victory, outspoken personality, and clear roadmap suggest that a unification bout could be on the horizon, whether it comes against Stephanie Han later this year or against the winner of the Turhan‑Baumgardner fight early next year. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the lightweight landscape evolves, hoping to witness the moment when one fighter finally holds all four major belts and claims the undisputed crown. Watch Elif Nur Turhan vs. Alycia Baumgardner live on Sky Sports on November 9 for a preview of the clash that could set the stage for Dubois’s ultimate goal.