Caroline Dubois is making her intentions crystal clear: she wants the WBC lightweight world championship belt currently held by Katie Taylor. The situation is ripe with tension. Taylor’s recent focus on undisputed super-lightweight championship fights has left the WBC lightweight title vacant for over two years, a situation Dubois, the WBC’s interim champion at 135lbs, finds unacceptable.
Dubois’s frustration is palpable. “I’m mandatory to the belt. Katie needs to either come back down and fight me or let the belt go,” she declared to Sky Sports. “She hasn’t fought for the belt for over a year now. It seems apparent that she’s not going to come back down to 135lbs. So she’s just hoarding the belt, stopping me in my tracks and my future and my career, for what purpose?” She points to Taylor’s potential trilogy fight with Amanda Serrano at 140lbs as further evidence that Taylor’s focus is elsewhere, arguing that the lightweight belt is hindering Dubois’s career progression.
Dubois’s message to Taylor is direct and powerful: “Now it’s my turn. It’s my turn to come through, do the same thing, become undisputed at 135lbs.” She’s not simply waiting; she’s actively shaping her future. If Taylor vacates the title, Dubois has a clear plan. She envisions a title fight against Rhiannon Dixon, the WBC’s number one contender, followed by a unification bout against the new WBO champion, Terri Harper, next year.
“I would like to fight Rhiannon Dixon,” Dubois stated. “I’m sure she’s going to want a chance to get back into world title contention. I don’t think there are many situations where you lose your belt and then get another world title shot in your next fight. Take it or leave it. Another chance for her to redeem herself and become world champion, and if not, then I will take the next hardest competition.” This assertive stance reveals Dubois’s determination and strategic thinking.
A potential high-profile unification fight with Harper is also on Dubois’s radar. “Of course,” Dubois said. “That belt is mine. She’s holding on to it for now. She knows her heart isn’t in the game, her mind isn’t in the game. She’s tried to pull it together as much as possible, but she’s showed her character, which is to quit. She crumbles under pressure, and I think she wants me to come take that belt off her, and I think that’s what’s going to happen. I think she wants a payday and a chance to sail off into the sunset.” This confident assessment highlights Dubois’s belief in her abilities and her prediction for Harper’s future.
Adding another layer of intrigue, Amanda Serrano’s promoter has even identified Dubois as a potential future opponent for the American star. “They’ve seen my potential. I bring something new to the game as well,” Dubois commented. “To finally get the belt at 135lbs would be something that I’m sure she’d be very happy about. I would give her that opportunity, I would give her that shot if she was willing to take it.” Dubois is clearly ready to face any challenge, demonstrating both ambition and confidence in her skills.
Despite not yet holding a full world title, Dubois is confident in her abilities. “People want to underestimate me and say I’m not in the big leagues, I’m not yet up there. I get it, I haven’t got a full world title and I haven’t been involved in, let’s say, a big fight. But in terms of skill, ability, pedigree, in terms of all of that, I’m there. I believe I’m there.” This powerful statement underscores Dubois’s unwavering belief in her potential and her determination to reach the pinnacle of the boxing world.
