Dubois Beats Harper Despite Flu, Eyes Baumgardner or Taylor

Caroline Dubois revealed she woke up with a severe flu on the day she faced Terri Harper but still produced a unanimous decision win at Kensington's Olympia on Sunday. The Londoner unified Harper's WBO lightweight belt with her own WBC title, flooring Harper during the contest and knocking her down in the sixth round.

Dubois said she began the day feeling far from fit, walking around with a cold towel and trying to control her pace in the ring to manage the illness. She viewed the 10-round fight as both a physical and tactical test and said she relied on experience and self-restraint to get through it. With only 13 professional fights to her name, Dubois acknowledged she is still learning how to navigate rounds and pressure, and praised Harper for being smarter and more experienced than she had expected. She added that had she pushed harder at times she might have stopped Harper, but credited her opponent's ring craft for allowing the contest to go the distance.

Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions, floated a high-profile next target, suggesting a dream matchup between Dubois and two-weight undisputed champion Katie Taylor at Croke Park. Dubois welcomed the idea and called Taylor a legend, saying she would seize the opportunity if Taylor wanted the fight, but also tempered expectations that it will happen immediately.

For now Dubois made clear her priority is American champion Alycia Baumgardner. She called for a quick showdown between the two, arguing it would settle who is truly best in the division and dismissing any reason to delay a big fight. Dubois noted a 5 lb weight difference and Baumgardner's greater age and experience, but insisted she wants that challenge by the end of the year and will push for the unification.

Leaving Olympia with both WBC and WBO lightweight belts, Dubois carried momentum and new credibility as she plots the next step in her career, whether that becomes a blockbuster clash with Taylor or a must-see showdown with Baumgardner.