Caroline Dubois has set her sights on a showdown that could crown her the undisputed champion of the lightweight division, with American contender Alycia Baumgardner positioned as the next obstacle on her road to glory. While Baumgardner is slated to challenge Turkey’s Elif Nur Turhan for the IBF lightweight world title on the early‑morning broadcast of Sky Sports on Monday, November 9, Dubois is already mapping out how she will respond to the outcome. Currently holding the WBC and WBO belts at 135 pounds, Dubois has made it clear that she intends to face the victor of the Turhan‑Baumgardner bout in order to complete the unification puzzle.
However, she refuses to sit idle while the other champion prepares for her fight. Instead, Dubois plans to add another major belt to her collection before the year ends, targeting the WBA title held by 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." Dubois believes that securing the WBA crown would leave her just one belt away from the coveted undisputed status. "Hopefully we'll be unified world champion by the end of this year or early next. One belt away from becoming undisputed," she added, underscoring her determination to leave no stone unturned in her quest.
The French‑British fighter recently defended her titles successfully against Amelia Moore in Birmingham, a victory that reinforced her confidence and sparked a heated verbal exchange with Baumgardner. In the aftermath of the Moore fight, Dubois did not shy away from expressing her thoughts about her American rival. "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’ remarks reveal a blend of confidence and competitive fire.
While she acknowledges Baumgardner’s talent, she also frames the upcoming Turhan‑Baumgardner contest as a crucial stepping stone in her own journey. "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, indicating that a Baumgardner victory would set the stage for a direct clash between the two. The upcoming IBF title fight between Turhan and Baumgardner promises to be a high‑octane encounter, and Dubois has made it clear that she will be watching closely. "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," she said. Dubois also reflected on the clarity of her path forward.
"The path has revealed itself to me. The path has become clear now... So close, but so far," she remarked, acknowledging the proximity of her goal while recognizing the challenges that remain. Beyond the immediate tactical considerations, Dubois’ ambition reflects a broader trend in women’s boxing: the push toward unifying titles across the major sanctioning bodies to create a single, universally recognized champion.
This pursuit not only elevates the sport’s profile but also offers fans a definitive answer to the question of who truly stands at the pinnacle of the division. If Baumgardner defeats Turhan, the logical next step for Dubois would be to arrange a bout that pits the unified WBC‑WBO champion against the newly crowned IBF holder. Such a fight would bring together three of the four major belts, leaving only the WBA title as the final piece of the puzzle. Conversely, should Turhan retain her championship, Dubois may still target the winner, maintaining her stance that the undisputed crown must be earned by conquering every champion in the weight class.
In either scenario, Dubois’ strategy includes a backup plan: securing the WBA belt from Stephanie Han before the calendar turns to the new year. Han, a seasoned campaigner with her own set of accolades, represents a formidable opponent. A victory over Han would not only add another prestigious belt to Dubois’ résumé but also cement her status as the dominant force in the lightweight division, regardless of the outcome of the Turhan‑Baumgardner contest.
The upcoming months will be crucial for all parties involved. Fans can anticipate intense training camps, strategic matchmaking, and a series of high‑stakes fights that could reshape the landscape of women’s lightweight boxing. As the sport continues to grow, athletes like Dubois and Baumgardner are at the forefront, pushing the boundaries of competition and striving for historic achievements.
For those eager to witness the IBF title showdown, the Turhan versus Baumgardner fight will be broadcast live on Sky Sports on November 9. The bout promises to deliver the drama, skill, and determination that have become hallmarks of both fighters’ careers, and it will undoubtedly influence the next chapter of Caroline Dubois’ pursuit of undisputed greatness.