Baumgardner Dismisses Dubois’ Challenge
Alycia Baumgardner has asserted that Caroline Dubois, a fellow champion from Britain, still has much to prove before she considers a matchup between them. Baumgardner’s comments came shortly after she successfully defended her WBA, WBO, and IBF junior lightweight world titles with a commanding performance against Bo Mi Re Shin at Madison Square Garden.
Baumgardner’s Perception of Dubois
“I’m a piranha,” Baumgardner stated, reflecting on her dominance in the ring. “That’s a guppy. Get her out of here.” The world champion at 130 pounds since 2021, Baumgardner remains focused on bigger challenges.
Dubois’ Aspirations
Caroline Dubois, the 25-year-old sister of heavyweight contender Daniel Dubois, has been vocal about wanting to face Baumgardner. After her victory over Terri Harper, which secured the WBC and WBO belts, Dubois stated, “That’s the fight I want by the end of the year. There’s no need to waste time.”
Promotion and Exposure
Both fighters are signed under Most Valuable Promotions, a company co-founded by boxer Jake Paul. The company has recently launched the MVPW platform specifically for women’s boxing, which aims to provide female fighters with increased media visibility.
Criticism and Counterarguments
Dubois has critiqued Baumgardner’s performance against Shin, calling it underwhelming, and even raised questions regarding Baumgardner’s integrity stemming from a past doping allegation, which was later overturned. Baumgardner, however, has opted to focus on potential fights with Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano instead.
Potential Showdowns
“When we talk about Katie Taylor, we’re discussing someone very skilled. She’s the perfect opponent to highlight high-level women’s boxing,” Baumgardner said. If a Taylor fight doesn’t materialize, she sees a matchup with Serrano as a viable option.
Baumgardner’s Career Priorities
When asked about the growing public demand for a fight with Dubois, Baumgardner emphasized that she views herself at a higher level. “This is a respect game. You don’t just get a fight by calling someone out. You have to put the work in. I’m a prizefighter, not a charity fighter,” she asserted.
