Caroline Dubois vowed again on Sunday to clinically knock out Terry Harper. If they fail, the latter warned, there will be problems.
Dubois’ icy confidence was met by Harper’s steely calm as the two men heated up toward a unification clash, and Friday’s final press conference ended with a flex of the arm that prompted a rush of security while the two posed for a close photo on stage.
Dubois has orchestrated much of the verbal exchange leading up to the meeting, but this week it was Harper’s turn to make his presence felt by pushing his opponent aside in the first faceoff of game week.
As they exchanged their final words, both downplayed their personal animosity, with Dubois more vocally supporting her pursuit of dominance and Harper questioning her rival’s mentality.
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The bad blood between Dubois and Harper continued at media practice, with both fighters attacking like they were in Wednesday’s showdown.
“I’ve been winning every fight since the moment this fight was signed, and I’m going to continue to win every fight, come fight night and win fights,” Dubois said.
“This is war. There’s no way my hand won’t go up on Sunday.
“This fight will not exceed seven rounds.”
Harper, the WBO lightweight champion, joked at one stage that he could turn off the microphone, but that was all Dubois was capable of saying. Mr. Dubois immediately approved of the idea and happily accepted the lead.
In order to maintain an absorbing atmosphere, the microphone was left on.
“Caroline has to hope she gets knocked out, otherwise she knows she’s in trouble,” she said.
“Caroline says it’s cheap to talk, but that’s all she’s been doing for the last 12 weeks. I’ve been completely focused on the work I have to do on Sunday.
“I’ve been quiet in social circles and Caroline has been arguing online and getting caught up in everything and I feel like she’s missing out on this fight.”
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Tensions between Harper and Dubois were high ahead of Sunday’s unification match.
Harper described Dubois, a WBC belt holder on a resume that also includes Alicia Baumgardner, Sandy Ryan, Natasha Jonas and Cecilia Blakes, as the best fighter she had ever faced, but dismissed her opponent’s suggestion that she had to earn her respect.
Harper was primarily on the back burner during the build-up, but he used this week to make his mark.
“I’m just letting her know we’re not here to make up numbers,” she said. “I think there’s only so much you can do to let her get away with not standing up for herself.
“She tried to push me, but she was much weaker than I imagined.
“It’s her mindset (that’s her weakness). She gets too emotional and gets caught up in everything. It’s about who keeps her head and stays disciplined.
“I’ve been through everything a fighter can do, but Caroline hasn’t. She has some questions to answer.”
Dubois never lost his love of the noise and hustle and bustle that preceded a game night, preferring the opportunity to add fuel to the fire rather than put it out.
“Let’s win by any means necessary. From the moment we sign this fight, it becomes a psychological game, a physical game. We’ll do whatever it takes to get the upper hand on fight night,” she explained.
“I’ve been chasing the most experienced and biggest woman in this division, and in theory she’s the toughest challenge for me.
“I don’t know how that makes me a bully, a challenger, a warrior. I live through challenges and pressure.
“I think she was trying to emulate me. I know I’m in the spotlight, and that’s the Caroline Dubois show. She wants more of herself featured. I’m not going to darken myself to give her more space.”
“Her weakness is that she’s not as good as I am. Forget about strength. She’s not as good a boxer as I am.”
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Dubois slams Harper at February press conference
Harper acknowledged that the first half of the fight was where her young rival would be most dangerous, explaining that she intended to engage in a shootout and face Dubois in the center of the ring.
She pointed to the engine as one of her key advantages in the later rounds of the contest.
“That’s very sad,” Dubois replied. “You don’t want to go into a fight thinking all you have is an engine. It’s a scary place. All she has is an engine.
“We have skill, power and jabs, and we grew up in all-boys sparring and had our first experience in girls’ sparring when we were 16 years old.
“It can get ugly and it’s going to be great. I hope she comes. I think she’s boxing on the back foot and I’ve got to pick her up.”
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Ms Dubois dismissed any personal animosity towards the 29-year-old Ms Harper, admitting she may be “the nicest woman in the world”. She is simply aware of the threats that stand in front of her and her desire to conquer the world of women’s boxing.
“You don’t win or lose a fight by talking. What I like about boxing is that you have to back up whatever you say,” Dubois said.
“We’re fighters. We get in the ring and back up our words 100 percent. From my perspective, there’s no animosity. It’s a rivalry. I believe she will receive everything I’ve worked for since I was 9 years old. And I believe she will stop me and prevent me from moving on to bigger and better matches and moments.”
“That’s the competition and that’s where it comes from.”
Watch Caroline Dubois vs Terry Harper live on Sky Sports this Sunday from 7pm.
