World lightweight champion Caroline Dubois has pledged to maintain a professional approach in her highly anticipated grudge match against Terri Harper this Sunday, despite a fiery build-up marked by verbal exchanges and physical confrontations. The bout, which headlines a landmark all-women card promoted by Most Valuable Promotions, will see both the WBC and WBO lightweight belts contested at London Olympia.
Tense Build-Up to Title Showdown
The rivalry between Dubois and Harper has intensified in recent weeks, culminating in a tense face-off on Wednesday where Harper shoved the WBC champion. This incident followed heated verbal barbs traded throughout the promotion, including during Sky Sports' Gloves Are Off programme, which ended with Harper walking off. Dubois, however, remains focused on her professional goals rather than personal animosity.
Dubois Emphasises Professional Rivalry
Speaking to the Press Association ahead of the fight, the undefeated Dubois (12-0-1, 5KOs) clarified her stance. "I don't feel any personal vendetta against her so it's not personal for me, it's business," she stated. "It is a rivalry that is completely professional and for me I am not going to let anything ever get personal between me and her because we are not on the same level."
Dubois elaborated on her competitive mindset, asserting, "When I look at her as an athlete, as a boxer, we are just not on the same level. I am not going to bring myself down to her level and make it personal. I am going to keep it clean, keep it professional and when I step into the ring, I will show her there is levels in boxing and I can't wait."
Harper's Experience Versus Dubois' Confidence
Harper (16-2-2, 6KOs), the WBO belt-holder and a world champion in three weight classes, has appeared visibly agitated by Dubois' straightforward comments. The 25-year-old Dubois, younger sister of heavyweight Daniel Dubois, seems unfazed, using the tension to fuel her determination for another statement victory on her path to dominating women's boxing.
"Listen, there is no love lost and it's competition at the end of the day," Dubois explained. "I am coming to take her head off and she is coming to take everything that I've worked for since I was nine years old. And I can guarantee you that is not going to happen. There is going to be that competitive spirit, that energy and that clash. I'm OK with that because we're going to step into the ring and try to punch each other's lights out."
London Showcase for Women's Boxing
The fight holds special significance for London-born Dubois, who expressed excitement about competing in her hometown on a stacked card that includes British world champion Ellie Scotney. "London has a special part in my heart and it is crazy. It's a full circle and I want everyone to turn up and show their support for women's boxing, but more importantly boxing," she said.
Dubois added a call to action for fans: "If you call yourself a boxing fan, come down and show your support because it's going to be a great night. There are so many world title fights on the card and good fighters on the card." The event, organised by the promotion company of YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, promises to be a pivotal moment in the sport, highlighting the growing prominence of women's boxing on a global stage.
