Caroline Dubois retained her WBC and WBO lightweight world titles with a dominant unanimous decision victory against Amelia Moore in Birmingham on Saturday.
The 25-year-old Londoner was rarely troubled throughout a commanding co-main event performance at MVPW-06, securing scores of 99-90, 99-90 and 98-91 from the judges.
The victory set up a potential super-fight with former undisputed champion Alycia Baumgardner, who watched from ringside before exchanging heated words with the champion after the bout.
Baumgardner, who will step into the lightweight division against Elif Nur Turhan on November 8, had made her presence felt in Birmingham throughout the week. She previously questioned former rival Mikaela Mayer at her final press conference and reiterated her belief that Dubois was not yet on her level.
Following the decision, Baumgardner criticised the champion's stamina and performance.
"That was a lacklustre performance," Baumgardner said. "You gotta tighten up baby girl. You was tired baby. You was real tired. I'm gonna show you what a champ do Undisputed champ at that. I'm at lightweight now."
Dubois responded to the American, pointing to her willingness to face top competition in the division.
"I've been calling for this for a long time," Dubois said. "After the last fight I said move up and fight that bum? What's happened to Amanda Serrano? What happened to Katie Taylor? What happened to Claressa Shields? You haven't got anything you've asked for. I got what I asked for. You are moving up to my division. I'm the best in the division and you know it. I'm 25 and I'm better than you."
Dubois added: "I love that. Keep that energy. If you get through Elif Nur Turhan, me and you there's no denying it. Everything I've asked for has happened. I'm knocking this bum out, you'd better believe it."
Dubois controls lightweight title defense
Dubois established control immediately in the opening round, using a lightning flurry of body shots to manage the distance against Moore's longer reach.
In the second round, the Londoner sought her range against Moore's counter-shot strategy, closing the two minutes by landing an overhand right to her opponent's head.
Dubois continued to dictate the tempo through rounds three and four, repeatedly targeting the body of her well-conditioned opponent. Moore struggled to land against the champion's sharp movement.
A key moment occurred in the fifth round when Dubois registered a breakthrough knockdown, though the fall appeared to stem more from Moore losing her balance than from the champion's power. Dubois capitalised immediately with a fierce attack capped by a right hook.
The champion landed sharp hooks to Moore's head in the seventh round before breaching the American's guard with a crisp straight left.
By the eighth round, blood began trickling from Moore's nose under sustained pressure. Despite a late front-foot attack from the challenger in the ninth round, Dubois maintained overall control.
Moore suffered further damage in the final round when an accidental clash of heads caused a cut, completing a grueling night for the challenger.
Terri Harper makes explosive return
In the super lightweight division, Terri Harper marked her return to the ring with a second-round stoppage victory over Houston's Miranda Reyes.
It was the Doncaster fighter's first bout since her defeat to Dubois in April. Harper floored Reyes early with a beautifully-timed left hand that left the American unsteady upon returning to her feet.
Harper quickly finished the contest with a flurry of hooks followed by a punishing right hand that sent Reyes down for a second time, a punch that amazed promoter Jake Paul at ringside. Reyes returned to her feet again, but the referee rightly waved off the contest.
"One of the best performances of my career. I'm very happy with that," Harper told Sky Sports. "It's good to do that to build the fight up, but you can't get rid of me that easily! This journey that I've been on through my boxing career, the highs and lows - I'm just grateful for MVP bringing me back so soon after my last fight. I've got a lot more to give you!"
Reina Tellez outpoints Jessica Barry
American fighter Reina Tellez earned a thrilling points victory over Jessica Barry following a full-blooded fight in the featherweight division.
The 23-year-old Tellez, who notably fought Amanda Serrano on 15 days' notice in January, landed the cleaner, more eye-catching shots to claim a 96-94 win.
Tellez controlled the exchanges across the opening four rounds, combining fast hands with accuracy and power to hit Barry's head repeatedly.
Barry responded in the fifth round by coming forward and landing a flush uppercut. Despite Tellez being deducted a point in the sixth round for a low blow, she resumed her assault in the eighth round with a brutal right hand that troubled Barry.
Barry showed toughness and continued to trade punches, but Tellez's higher output and full-blooded attacks prevailed.
"I feel a little bit of ring rust, but overall I feel great," Tellez told Sky Sports. "There were things that happened in the fight, but that's what comes with experience. I'm grateful for the platform and opportunity I've been given. She showed a lot of heart. A good opponent with a different style. I give her respect. But overall I dominated the fight."
Tysie Gallagher wins on debut
Tysie Gallagher completed her Most Valuable Promotions debut with a points victory against Chicago's Brandi Robinson, improving her professional record to 11-2.
Despite the win, Gallagher expressed frustration with her performance following her return to the ring.
"I'm not particularly happy about the performance, couldn't really get going, first one back, no excuses," Gallagher said. "I'll be back 100 per cent next time."
