Baumgardner Dominates Shin, Brushes Off Dubois Challenge as 'Guppy' Talk
Alycia Baumgardner delivered a commanding performance in the early hours of Saturday morning at Madison Square Garden, successfully defending her WBA, WBO, and IBF junior lightweight world titles against Bo Mi Re Shin. The American champion controlled the fight across ten punishing rounds, showcasing her power and precision in a main event that began well past midnight.
"I'm a Piranha, That's a Guppy"
Following her decisive victory, Baumgardner wasted no time addressing the ongoing feud with British champion Caroline Dubois, who has been vocal about wanting a unification bout. "Like I said, I'm a piranha," Baumgardner declared. "That's a guppy. Get her out of here." The 31-year-old Ohio native made it clear she views Dubois as operating on a different level entirely.
Dubois, the 25-year-old sister of heavyweight contender Daniel Dubois, recently consolidated the WBC and WBO belts at 135 pounds with a victory over Terri Harper on Easter Sunday. She has repeatedly called for a showdown with Baumgardner, describing it as "the most exciting fight in women's boxing" and insisting "we need to make it happen by the end of this year."
Shared Promotion, Divergent Paths
Both fighters are signed to Most Valuable Promotions, the five-year-old outfit co-founded by boxer-influencer Jake Paul. The promotion recently launched MVPW, a bespoke women's platform alongside a three-year media rights deal with ESPN aimed at providing female fighters with regular, high-visibility television exposure.
Dubois headlined the inaugural MVPW event in London, while Baumgardner topped the second card in New York. Each has benefited from increased visibility under the MVP banner, including coveted spots on the televised undercard of Paul's fight with Anthony Joshua last December, which attracted 33 million viewers globally.
Dubois Questions Baumgardner's Integrity
The British champion escalated the feud in the lead-up to Baumgardner's fight with Shin, suggesting on Sky Sports that the American might struggle against the durable South Korean. Dubois also referenced Baumgardner's 2023 positive test for performance-enhancing drugs, a ruling later overturned when an investigation found she didn't intentionally use banned substances. "Her performances haven't looked the same since," Dubois claimed.
Baumgardner responded dismissively to Dubois's earlier victory over Harper, calling it "a C-level performance" and questioning whether the British fighter has earned a shot at her unified titles.
Baumgardner Sets Sights on Bigger Names
Rather than entertaining a fight with Dubois, Baumgardner pointed toward more established names in women's boxing. She specifically called out Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, two of the sport's biggest draws who represent what she considers proper high-level competition.
"When we talk about Katie Taylor, we're talking about someone very skilled," Baumgardner said. "But when it comes to high-level women's boxing, she's the perfect opponent to show that separation." Taylor, 39, has indicated she intends to retire later this year after one final bout, preferably at Dublin's 80,000-seat Croke Park, though plans remain unconfirmed.
If a Taylor fight cannot be arranged, Baumgardner identified Serrano as a natural alternative, particularly in New York. "That makes sense, especially here," she said. "We can do it at the Garden. It doesn't matter who's tougher. Put me in there and I'll show you."
The Respect Game
When pressed about the mounting public demand for a Baumgardner-Dubois showdown and her apparent reluctance, the unified champion emphasized what she sees as fundamental differences in their career trajectories.
"When you talk about my career and where I'm going, it has to align with the biggest fights," Baumgardner explained. "I'm at that level now. Dubois is a great fighter, but she's not where I am. This is a respect game. You don't just get a fight by calling someone out. You have to put the work in. I'm a prizefighter, not a charity fighter."
The clear message from Madison Square Garden was that while Dubois may want the fight, Baumgardner believes the British champion needs to accomplish more before earning a shot at her unified titles. With her sights set on Taylor or Serrano, Baumgardner appears determined to pursue legacy-defining fights rather than what she views as premature unification bouts.
