American world champion Alycia Baumgardner has rejected claims by Claressa Shields that she is avoiding a potential showdown with Londoner Caroline Dubois in Birmingham.
Speaking in Birmingham ahead of the MVPW-06 event, Baumgardner denied being scared of the 25-year-old British boxer, labelling Dubois a "puppy" compared to her own "big dog" standing in the division.
Shields recently accused Baumgardner of swerving a bout against Dubois out of fear of suffering the second defeat of her professional career.
Baumgardner dismissed the accusation from Shields, saying: "Claressa has always been jealous of me. Because she's not the weight class that I am, making the biggest fights. But I could never be scared of anybody. You can't be scared when you do a sport like this."
Baumgardner currently holds the WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring super featherweight titles. She previously called out Irish icon Katie Taylor and Puerto Rican star Amanda Serrano after defeating Bo Mi Re Shin. Shields is a multi-division world champion and double Olympic gold medallist, while Birmingham is a major sporting hub in England's West Midlands.
Potential Lightweight World Title Showdown
The stars have flirted with alignment following the announcement that Baumgardner will face IBF lightweight champion Elif Nur Turhan on November 8. Meanwhile, Dubois is scheduled to defend her WBC and WBO lightweight world titles against American fighter Amelia Moore this Saturday in Birmingham.
The two bouts on the schedule have pointed toward a future meeting between the respective winners, provided both champions emerge victorious.
Baumgardner previously considered a meeting with Dubois premature, believing the Londoner had yet to reach her level despite admiring her aggressive mindset.
Addressing Dubois' pursuit of a title fight, Baumgardner said: "She does (still have to reach her level), but she's a hungry fighter and I'm all for her wanting to take a challenge. But when you step up to the plate, you're stepping up to a big dog. You're a puppy, I'm a big dog. There's a difference. But I love it. I love that you're hungry."
Dubois' title defence against Moore forms the co-main event of MVPW-06, a card promoted by Most Valuable Promotions. The lightweight division in professional boxing carries an upper weight limit of 135 pounds (61.2 kg).
Confrontations and Inquiries in Birmingham
Baumgardner made her presence felt in Birmingham by taking a front-row seat at Thursday's final press conference, where she surprised former rival Mikaela Mayer by asking a question from the audience.
When asked what she would say if given the chance to question Dubois directly, Baumgardner accused the British fighter of seeking outside advice on how to defeat her.
Baumgardner said: "What I would ask her is, why does she feel the need to ask other trainers that I'trained with how she beats me? Why not so confident in yourself? If you're confident, you don't ask those types of questions. But people talk. You're in the USA now, baby. That's my country."
Dubois engaged in a prolonged head-to-head conversation with Moore during their face-off, where the American challenger did not appear to be enjoying the exchange.
Focus on Upcoming Opponents
Despite the growing anticipation for a clash with Dubois, Baumgardner insisted she is not looking past her scheduled opponent Turhan, who enters their fight with an undefeated 14-0 record including eight knockouts.
Baumgardner acknowledged the public demand for the matchup while remaining focused on the task ahead, saying: "I think the boxing world wants that fight with me and Caroline. But I don't overlook anything. It could be anybody's night. I know Amelia. I've seen her. I know that she's game. And I know that it could be anybody's opportunity, anybody's night."
Turhan, known as the "Golden Turkish Warrior", holds the IBF title at lightweight. The International Boxing Federation (IBF) is one of the four major sanctioning bodies in professional boxing alongside the WBA, WBC, and WBO.
Promoter and Rival Warnings
Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian warned both fighters against underestimating their upcoming opponents, despite acknowledging that a clash between Baumgardner and Dubois would captivate boxing fans globally.
Bidarian pointed to Amelia Moore's background as a decorated amateur and recalled Amanda Serrano's tough contest last weekend against a 27-year-old opponent whom many expected her to easily defeat.
Bidarian told Sky Sports: "Caroline has no easy feat ahead of her this Saturday night, Amelia Moore is a decorated amateur. Look at Amanda Serrano's fight last weekend. People thought she was going to blow away this young 27-year-old, even Amanda probably thought, I'm going to annihilate this woman."
He added: "I hope Caroline is focused on this weekend because she needs to go out there and handle her business. If she handles her business, and if Alycia is able to get through the Golden Turkish Warrior who's a knockout monster, of course, that's a super fight that I think will engage fans globally in women's boxing."
Mikaela Mayer, who headlines Saturday's MVPW-06 card against Chantelle Cameron in a world title unification fight live on Sky Sports, also cautioned that Turhan could upset plans for the super fight.
Mayer suffered one of her two career losses against Baumgardner by split decision in October 2022, a result Mayer maintains should have gone her way.
Mayer backed the prospective fight while warning of Turhan's punching power, saying: "I think it'll be a great fight. It's a fight that definitely needs to happen. Alycia Baumgartner finally moved up to 135. I don't think she's taken on a challenge since me, and that was years ago. So it's time for her to do that. She got a tough test in front of her with Turhan first."
Mayer added: "I know they're setting that up so that Baumgardner and Dubois can fight, but you never know. Turhan's got that power. Alycia's a good boxer, and she's strong. But her defense isn't perfect. And if she gets caught with one of those shots from Turhan, that could change the whole trajectory, and we could be seeing Dubois versus Turhan."
The MVPW-06 event takes place this Saturday in Birmingham, headlined by Mayer against Cameron alongside Dubois versus Moore, with live coverage on Sky Sports and contract-free streaming via NOW.
