Dubois outpoints Moore in Birmingham to defend WBC and WBO lightweight titles

Caroline Dubois beat Amelia Moore on Saturday night at the BP Pulse Arena in Birmingham to retain her WBC and WBO lightweight titles, winning by unanimous decision 99-90, 99-90, 98-91 after flooring Moore in the fifth round.

Dubois entered the ring to I'm Every Woman by Whitney Houston and controlled the contest, but could not land a finishing blow on the persistent American. The British fighter was the heavy favourite, relied more on power and presence than speed, and took the fight the distance. Moore, in only her fifth professional bout and a two-time American national amateur champion, showed courage but lacked the quality to turn the tide. Dubois is now unbeaten in 15 professional fights with 14 wins and remains on course for a potential meeting with unified super-featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner in 2027.

The defining moment came in round five when Dubois sent Moore to the canvas with a booming left; Moore rose and continued, but thereafter was shifted around the ring. Despite the knockdown, Dubois was unable to produce a decisive finish and instead managed the fight through control and pressure. The judges rewarded that approach with a clear unanimous verdict.

Baumgardner was ringside and the pair exchanged words after the contest, with Baumgardner accusing Dubois of "tightening up" and being "tired" and describing her presence as a "scouting mission". The post-fight confrontation escalated when Dubois challenged Baumgardner for encroaching on "my division - I am the best here" in an expletive-infused exchange.

Dubois also showcased a newly adopted MVP-curated persona of brash self-confidence and revealed changes behind the scenes, having dropped trainer Shane McGuigan in London and moved to Los Angeles to work with US trainer Manny Robles; McGuigan had helped guide her to two world titles in the lightweight division. The alterations form part of her build-up as she seeks bigger fights and a further step up in profile.

Baumgardner has said she "absolutely" wants to fight Dubois, and the American’s route to a 2027 showdown is clear on paper: if the 32-year-old steps up to lightweight and beats IBF champion Elif Nur Turhan in Texas on 8 November, then a Dubois-Baumgardner headliner is anticipated. Both fighters had held separate media conferences in Birmingham on Thursday while continuing a year-long public spat.

On the undercard, Terri Harper, who lost on points to Dubois in April and had considered retirement after a 2024 defeat to Sandy Ryan, moved up to welterweight and stopped Miranda Reyes 47 seconds into the second round after two knockdowns. Harper described the performance as "one of the best performances of my career, I'm very happy with that," adding "You can't get rid of me this easily! "I am excited for what's next. It's way too early [to say goodbye] - I've got a lot to give yet." The stoppage was the seventh knockout of Harper's career, from 17 victories in 22 bouts.

A straight path to a Dubois versus Baumgardner bout hinges on Baumgardner’s 8 November meeting with Turhan in Texas; should Baumgardner win there, promoters expect the two to meet in 2027.