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Sunday, November 8, 2026

I want to face Baumgardner, it will be boxing's next great rivalry - Dubois

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Alycia Baumgardner challenges Elif Nur Turhan for the IBF lightweight world title on Sunday, 8 November. In her BBC Sport column, Britain's unified lightweight world champion Caroline Dubois explains how she sees the fight unfolding and why she wants the winner in 2027.

Women's boxing is crying out for its next great rivalry and I genuinely believe Alycia Baumgardner and I could deliver one of the biggest fights the sport has ever seen.

We've had Katie Taylor against Amanda Serrano and Claressa Shields against Savannah Marshall. Those were massive occasions that took women's boxing to another level.

But we're entering a transitional period. We've had some incredible champions and unforgettable nights, yet the sport needs its next big fight and its next big star.

I believe Baumgardner and I could provide both. I'm the WBC and WBO lightweight world champion, she's one of the biggest names in women's boxing and there's already plenty of bad blood between us.

I respect what she's achieved, but I also know that when I beat her - and I believe I'll knock her out - I will be the biggest name in women's boxing.

To be the best, you've got to fight the best. I need Baumgardner as much as she needs me.

But first she has to get past Turhan. I'll be ringside to watch it all unfold and I'll be ready to call out the winner.

Baumgardner called me a puppy when we exchanged words in Miami last year. I don't think she's underestimating me - I think it's all talk. In fact, I believe she's frightened of what happens when she gets in the ring with me.

She knows I'm her hardest fight, her biggest fight and her most dangerous fight. In my opinion, that's why it hasn't happened yet.

But I do respect Baumgardner enormously. Women's boxing isn't easy. We don't always get the money, attention or promotion we deserve and she's worked hard to build her name.

I've looked at how she and Shields have promoted themselves and taken inspiration from that. I'm only 25 and still have plenty to learn.

And I understand why Baumgardner wants to get paid properly for fighting me. I want exactly the same thing.

It's a high-risk, high-reward fight for both of us, so it needs to happen on the biggest possible stage, with the biggest possible prize.

My dream is for the fight to headline the O2 Arena in London – not far from where I grew up. I fought on the undercard when Shields beat Marshall there in 2022, and the atmosphere was unbelievable. I remember the crowd going wild when those two women walked out.

Imagine Baumgardner and me as top billing with all four world titles on the line. I genuinely believe it could be even bigger than Shields-Marshall.

If Baumgardner loses to Turhan, it doesn't mean our rivalry is finished before it even really started.

Great fighters lose. Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns all suffered defeats. Mikaela Mayer is another fighter I admire because she's lost, rebuilt and continued challenging herself against the best.

But my priority is becoming undisputed, so if Turhan wins, she's the woman I'll be chasing.

Turhan exploded on to the scene when she stopped Beatriz Ferreira. It was a sensational performance, although I don't think she's looked quite as impressive since.

She is heavy-handed, aggressive and dangerous, particularly early in fights. If Turhan catches Baumgardner early, I think she has the power to knock her out. But if Baumgardner gets behind her jab, makes her miss and keeps turning her, it could become a very difficult night for Turhan.

They're fighting three-minute rounds, something Turhan hasn't experienced before and I can see her tiring if Baumgardner makes her work.

Baumgardner is technically the better boxer, and if she survives those early rounds, I expect her to take control.

I'll be watching closely. If Baumgardner calls me out afterwards, I'll stand up to her. I'm not somebody who scripts these moments. If I feel like getting in the ring and telling her exactly what I think, that's what I'll do.

But first she has to win and I've got my own job to do against Han. Get those fights out of the way and we could create something really special.

Caroline Dubois was speaking to BBC Sport boxing journalist Kal Sajad.

View the original on BBC Sport →

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