Caroline Dubois wants Alycia Baumgardner fight in 2027

Caroline Dubois has said she wants to face Alycia Baumgardner in 2027 and described it as boxing's next great rivalry. The British fighter is the WBC and WBO lightweight world champion and is undefeated in 15 fights. BBC Sport reported her comments in a column ahead of Baumgardner's world title challenge.

Why it matters

Dubois is only 25 and still has plenty to learn. She said women's boxing needs its next big fight and its next big star. She believes she and Baumgardner could deliver one of the biggest fights the sport has ever seen.

She cited Katie Taylor against Amanda Serrano and Claressa Shields against Savannah Marshall as massive occasions that took women's boxing to another level. She said the sport is entering a transitional period after some incredible champions and unforgettable nights.

Dubois is the WBC and WBO lightweight world champion, while Baumgardner is one of the biggest names in women's boxing. Dubois said there is already plenty of bad blood between them. She respects what Baumgardner has achieved but believes she will knock her out.

Dubois said to be the best, you have got to fight the best, and she needs Baumgardner as much as Baumgardner needs her. Baumgardner called Dubois a puppy when they exchanged words in Miami.

Dubois said she does not think Baumgardner is underestimating her and believes it is all talk. She thinks Baumgardner is frightened of what happens when she gets in the ring with her.

Dubois said she believes Baumgardner knows she is her hardest fight, her biggest fight and her most dangerous fight, and that is why it has not happened yet. Dubois said she respects Baumgardner enormously.

She said women's boxing is not easy and fighters do not always get the money, attention or promotion they deserve. She said Baumgardner has worked hard to build her name.

Dubois said she has looked at how she and Shields have promoted themselves and taken inspiration from that. She said she understands why Baumgardner wants to get paid properly for fighting her.

She said it is a high-risk, high-reward fight for both of them, so it needs to happen on the biggest possible stage with the biggest possible prize. Her dream is for the fight to headline the O2 Arena in London.

What happens next

Baumgardner challenges Elif Nur Turhan for the IBF lightweight world title on Sunday, 8 November. Dubois will be ringside to watch it unfold and plans to call out the winner.

Key facts about the fighters and upcoming bout

Sources

• BBC Sport

• Photo: Marcus Cyron, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)