Caroline Dubois goes into Wembley title defence as a superstar in waiting
Caroline Dubois gave up Christmas to prepare for the defence of her IBO lightweight title in a fortnight.
That’s the game, and she is lapping it up. I have said before she is the next superstar of women’s boxing, a fighter capable of taking the baton from Katie Taylor.
It’s a great time to be a female fighter. Katie opened the door with her Olympic gold in 2012 but the pro game was not developed at that point.
It took Natasha Jonas, who tops the bill against Mikaela Mayer in defence of her IBF welterweight crown, eight years to challenge for her first world title.
Jonas made history as the first British woman to qualify for the Olympics. She missed out on a medal, falling to Taylor in the quarters, and lost again to Taylor as a pro nine years later, but she finally has her day in the sun this weekend topping the bill in her hometown of Liverpool.
Stars including Barry McGuigan turn out for funeral of boxer Ken Buchanan
Dubois is very much standing on the shoulders of the Jonas/Taylor generation. Women’s boxing is really opening up and Dubois is in the vanguard of those coming through.
This will be her ninth professional outing at Wembley. We very much expect her to be fighting for one of the four recognised titles soon.
What have you made of Caroline Dubois' career so far? Let us know in the comments section
Dubois claimed her title after beating Magali Rodriguez in 2023 (Getty Images)Like her brother, Dubois is such a hard puncher. Her upper body movement is excellent. She rolls under shots like Smokin’ Joe Frazier, throwing wicked hooks as she comes out.
That right hook of hers is the equivalent of any man’s at 135 pounds. She spars regularly with the boys because we can’t match her with enough women of the right calibre. It’s great to watch her honing her craft.
As it is watching Jonas fill the Hollywood slot on Sky TV. It’s a great fight. Jonas has campaigned at a higher weight so starts favourite.
Natasha Jonas v Mikaela Mayer is a highlight of this weekend's schedule (PA)Mayer was beaten in that London barnburner by Alycia Baumgardner at junior lightweight 15 months ago. How she made 130 pounds I have no idea. Baumgardner subsequently tested positive for a banned substance.
Our hot prospect Ellie Scotney sparred Mayer before that fight and showed up very well. Mayer immediately went up to lightweight, then super lightweight in her subsequent fight. Now she is fighting at 147 pounds, which at 5ft 10 is a far better weight for her.
It might not be enough, however, to get past Jonas, who is the naturally bigger fighter and chasing destiny in front of her own people.
Follow Barry on Twitter at @ClonesCyclone @McGuigans_Gym
Gervonta Davis copied "my thing" to beat Ryan Garcia - he is no quitter
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
