Baumgardner Retains Titles, Dismisses Dubois as 'Guppy' in Feud Escalation
Alycia Baumgardner delivered a curt assessment of British rival Caroline Dubois after retaining her unified junior lightweight world titles with a commanding victory over Bo Mi Re Shin in the early hours of Saturday morning at Madison Square Garden in New York. The American champion, who holds the WBA, WBO, and IBF belts at 130 pounds, controlled the fight across ten punishing three-minute rounds, starting well past midnight in a main event that showcased her dominance.
"Like I said, I'm a piranha," Baumgardner declared post-fight. "That's a guppy. Get her out of here." This dismissive remark was aimed directly at Dubois, the 25-year-old sister of British heavyweight contender Daniel Dubois, who has been vocal in calling for a showdown with Baumgardner. Dubois recently consolidated the WBC and WBO belts at 135 pounds with a win over Terri Harper on Easter Sunday, a performance Baumgardner shrugged off as "a C-level performance."
Dubois Pushes for 'Best Versus Best' Bout by Year's End
Caroline Dubois has escalated the simmering feud in recent weeks, stating after her victory over Harper, "The fight I'm interested in is Alycia Baumgardner. That's the fight I want by the end of the year. There's no need to waste time. The best versus the best." She further claimed that Baumgardner has already expressed reluctance to face her, telling MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian, "I don't want that fight." Dubois added, "People say she hits hard, I know I hit harder. It's the most exciting fight in women's boxing ... and we need to make it happen by the end of this year."
Both fighters are signed to Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), the five-year-old outfit co-founded by boxer-influencer Jake Paul. MVP recently launched a bespoke women's platform, MVPW, alongside a three-year media rights deal with ESPN, aimed at providing female fighters with regular, high-visibility slots on linear television. Dubois headlined the inaugural MVPW event in London, while Baumgardner topped the second card in New York. Each has benefited from increased exposure under the MVP banner, including coveted spots on the televised undercard of Paul's fight with Anthony Joshua in December, which attracted 33 million viewers globally.
Baumgardner Targets Taylor or Serrano Instead
Despite Dubois's persistent calls, Baumgardner pointed elsewhere when discussing her next move, explicitly calling out Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, two of the sport's most prominent draws. Taylor, 39, has indicated plans to retire later this year after one final bout in Dublin, preferably at the 80,000-seat Croke Park, though details remain unconfirmed. "When we talk about Katie Taylor, we're talking about someone very skilled," Baumgardner said. "But when it comes to high-level women's boxing, she's the perfect opponent to show that separation."
If a fight with Taylor cannot be arranged, Baumgardner identified Serrano as a natural alternative, particularly in New York. "That makes sense, especially here," she noted. "We can do it at the Garden. It doesn't matter who's tougher. Put me in there and I'll show you." Pressed on the mounting public demand for a bout with Dubois, Baumgardner made it clear she does not view the British southpaw as operating on her level. "When you talk about my career and where I'm going, it has to align with the biggest fights," she explained. "I'm at that level now. Dubois is a great fighter, but she's not where I am. 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."
Feud Intensifies with Personal Barbs and Drug Test Allegations
The rivalry has intensified with personal barbs, including Dubois questioning Baumgardner's integrity over a positive test for a performance-enhancing drug after a 2023 fight. That ruling was later overturned when a lengthy investigation found she did not intentionally use banned substances. Dubois suggested on Sky Sports that Baumgardner's performances "haven't looked the same" since, and predicted she would struggle against the durable South Korean opponent, Bo Mi Re Shin, potentially exposing vulnerabilities.
Baumgardner, however, remains focused on legacy-defining matchups, emphasizing her status as a unified champion since 2021. Her controlled display against Shin, which started well past midnight, underscored her readiness for elite competition. As the women's boxing landscape evolves with platforms like MVPW, the clash between Baumgardner's dismissive stance and Dubois's relentless pursuit sets the stage for a potential blockbuster, though Baumgardner's immediate sights are firmly set on Taylor or Serrano.
