CAROLINE Dubois won’t hesitate to box Katie Taylor for the Irish superstar’s retirement match.
But the newly unified WBC and WBO lightweight world champion admits it will ultimately be up to Taylor’s decision.
“This is Katie’s last fight, so she’s the one who holds all the cards. I really feel that way,” Dubois told Sky Sports.
“She’s a champion and she’s going to retire as champion. It’s up to her, not up to her opponents or the people who criticize her. It’s up to her.
“That’s great. I won’t say no.”
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Highlights of Dubois’ fight against Terry Harper for the WBC and WBO lightweight titles
Her promoters Jake Paul and MVP Nakisa Vidalian want that fight to happen. “My dream scenario would be for Caroline to be Katie Taylor’s final dance partner,” Bidalian said.
But Dubois thinks that’s unlikely.
She told Sky Sports News: “Katie Taylor is one of the biggest fights in women’s boxing, she’s a legend and there’s only one fight left. Honestly, who’s going to say no to a fight?”
“If you have a chance, you don’t even have to ask me. Just give me the paper and I’ll sign it. I don’t know how realistic that is. So I’ll look elsewhere. I’ll see what’s realistic.”
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After defeating Harper by unanimous decision in their WBC and WBO world lightweight title unification bout, Dubois insisted in a speech that the rivalry was never personal to her.
She has been pushing for a unification fight with IBF champion Elif Nur Turhan and is considering other options.
Dubois is particularly targeting her American rival, unified super featherweight champion and MVP, Alicia Baumgardner.
“Alicia’s fight is a big fight. I know she’s running from that fight, but it’s a big fight and I know there are people around her who aren’t going to let her run away from it,” Dubois said.
“They’re not going to forgive Claressa Shields for calling her weight 147 pounds, 154 pounds. Are you scared of going up five pounds?”
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Caroline Dubois calls Alicia Baumgardner ‘the biggest fight in women’s boxing’
“They’re not going to let her claim to be the best. You’re calling out Tiara Brown, who’s a lower weight than you, but you don’t want yourself to move up and fight dangerous fighters.
“I want people to hold her accountable for what she says and how she chooses to portray herself. In the meantime, of course, I’m going to move forward and chase the biggest fights possible.”
“I want to unify again. Elif (Nur Turhan) is a great fight.”
Watch Alicia Baumgardner vs. Bo Mi Le Sin live on Sky Sports in the early morning hours of April 18th.
