Baumgardner Dismisses Dubois as Feud Intensifies After Title Defense
Alycia Baumgardner delivered a strong message to Caroline Dubois after successfully defending her WBA, WBO, and IBF junior lightweight world titles against Bo Mi Re Shin at Madison Square Garden early Saturday morning. Baumgardner, who has held the title since 2021, stated, "That’s a guppy. Get her out of here," emphasizing that Dubois still has more to prove before a potential matchup can be considered. The rivalry intensified after Dubois, who recently claimed the WBC and WBO belts at 135lb, expressed her desire for a fight with Baumgardner by the end of the year. Dubois asserted, "That’s the fight I want ... the best versus the best." However, Baumgardner dismissed Dubois' recent performance against Terri Harper, calling it a “C-level performance.” Both fighters are signed with Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), co-founded by Jake Paul, which has been instrumental in elevating women's boxing visibility. Dubois headlined the inaugural MVP event in London, while Baumgardner topped the second card in New York, gaining increased exposure. Dubois fueled the feud further, claiming Baumgardner lacked the toughness she professes and questioned her integrity following a past positive test for a banned substance. Baumgardner, however, shifted focus to potential bouts with Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, stating, "When we talk about Katie Taylor, we’re talking about someone very skilled." She made it clear that while she respects Dubois as a fighter, she does not see her as an equal, stating, "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." Baumgardner aims to align her career with the biggest fights available, prioritizing her legacy in the sport.
Source: The Guardian Sport - 2026-04-18