Caroline Dubois Claims WBO Lightweight Title with Points Victory Over Terri Harper
Caroline Dubois has unified the WBO and WBC world lightweight titles with a decisive unanimous points win over fellow Briton Terri Harper at London Olympia. The London-born fighter, younger sister of heavyweight Daniel Dubois, dominated the contest with scores of 98-91, 97-92, and 98-91, cementing her status as a rising star in women's boxing.
Dubois Overcomes Slow Start to Floor Harper in Sixth Round
Despite a cautious opening where Dubois struggled to connect effectively, she turned the tide dramatically in the sixth round by knocking Harper down with a powerful left hand just seconds before the bell. This pivotal moment shifted the momentum firmly in Dubois's favour, allowing her to control the remainder of the fight with increased aggression and precision.
Harper, who had traded verbal barbs and shoved Dubois during a tense pre-fight face-off, managed to land occasional blows, including a straight right in the second round. However, Dubois excelled in close-quarters combat from the third round onward, delivering a series of body shots and a solid right hook that kept Harper on the defensive.
Post-Fight Ambitions and Rivalry Insights
Following her victory, Dubois expressed her clear intent to pursue unification fights, telling Sky Sports, "100% – that's the plan. I only want big fights from now on. I've got two more fights this year and I want to make them two of the biggest." She downplayed the pre-fight animosity, stating, "It was never personal for me. It was always personal for Terri. I'm a fighter and I'm an entertainer, I put myself out there to show up for you guys."
The fight intensified in the later rounds, with Harper bleeding heavily after a clash of heads in the eighth. Both fighters engaged in a toe-to-toe battle in the final stages, but Dubois maintained her composure to secure the unanimous decision after an attritional final two minutes.
Undercard Highlight: Ellie Scotney Unifies Super-Bantamweight Division
Earlier in the evening, Ellie Scotney achieved a significant milestone by unifying the super-bantamweight division. She defeated Mayelli Flores on points to claim the WBA belt, adding it to her existing WBO, WBC, and IBF world titles. This victory underscores a night of British boxing excellence, with multiple fighters showcasing their skills on the global stage.
Dubois's win not only adds another title to her collection but also positions her as a key contender in the lightweight division, with fans eagerly anticipating her next moves toward further unification.
