Terry Harper is losing his composure ahead of Sunday’s world title unification, believes rival champion Caroline Dubois.
After the final press conference, Harper elbowed Dubois as he posed for photos.
A security guard had to rush between the two to prevent the situation from escalating, but Ms. Dubois angrily pushed her back.
This Sunday, the latest eruption of hostility between the two champions for the WBO and WBC lightweight titles was broadcast live on Sky Sports at the Olympia in Kensington.
Harper’s elbow was a response to Dubois bending down in front of her after the match, and tensions were building even more as the match approached.
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Johnny Nelson broke up the pre-fight bad blood between Terry Harper and Caroline Dubois ahead of Sunday’s WBC and WBO lightweight unification bout.
Mr. Dubois acted in a way that was unbecoming of Mr. Harper. “She’s trying to recreate me,” Dubois told Sky Sports. “She’s trying to pretend. She sees my energy and thinks, ‘I have to fight this, I have to resist this.’ She’s trying to be me.
“I don’t want to read too much into it. It’s not important. What’s important is game night. Coming here today, I’m very confident, very confident.”
She is convinced that Harper is actually afraid of her. “100 percent,” Dubois said.
As they looked on, Dubois continued a private conversation. “I said, ‘I’m going, I’m going,’ and that’s it. That’s the energy,” she revealed.
“I’m that nightmare. I’m that bogey woman. I’m what’s on her mind and I’m coming.”
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The bitter feud between Caroline Dubois and Terry Harper continued in media training, with both fighters going toe-to-toe on Wednesday.
“Terry had to show some spine.”
Trainer Shane McGuigan believes all the pushing, prodding and stinging will energize Dubois in a fight.
“She loves it, she really loves it,” McGuigan told Sky Sports. “I don’t think she needs to ignite this fight.
“If anything, it just makes you a little hungrier.”
Adding, “Terry…I think she knew she was under attack and had to show some spine a little bit. It’s good that she’s ready to fight.”
Dubois is going to be dangerous. “We want to win by knockout,” McGuigan said, but acknowledged that might be difficult.
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Tensions between Terry Harper and Caroline Dubois were high as Sunday’s unification game approached.
“I think she (Harper) was a little underweight when she boxed with Alicia (Baumgardner). I think this weight suits her better. Sandy Ryan obviously stopped her. It was a stack of punches. I think she holds the shot better. It’s probably her more natural weight at lightweight,” the trainer said.
“I think she boxed up to 154 pounds because she was too small for 147 pounds. I believe she’s the best prepared she’s ever been, but there’s some awkwardness, so we’re going to have to work it out slowly.”
“Caroline… I think if she lands clean, it’s definitely going to make an impact. Whether she gets knocked out or not, we might have to start putting together some combinations and phases.
“She wants to sweep the division and have big fights.”
Watch Caroline Dubois vs Terry Harper live on Sky Sports this Sunday from 7pm.
