Harper: Dubois 'panicked' After Photoshoot Shove

Terri Harper says Caroline Dubois cracked first in the mental battle that has been building ahead of their unification showdown on Sunday. The two clash at London’s Olympia to unify the WBO and WBC lightweight belts, with the fight live on Sky Sports, after a week of rising tension that culminated in a shove during a promotional photoshoot.

Harper insisted the push unsettled Dubois and knocked her off script. She said the action was deliberate — Dubois stepped in front of her while they were posing, and Harper expected the move. 'She panicked. She was off script. It was not what she prepared for and she didn't know what to do,' Harper told Sky Sports.

The Doncaster fighter added the nudge was intended as a message rather than an escalation. Harper described Dubois as predictable, having prompted the same reaction at a previous press event, so she delivered 'just a little shove' to remind her opponent that Harper is not there to be underestimated. Harper emphasised that while she is normally calm and laidback, she has a switch for fight night and people sometimes mistake her kindness for weakness.

Harper also suggested Dubois’ decision to split part of her camp between the UK and the United States exposed vulnerabilities. She argued that heading to the US signalled that something in Dubois’ preparation needed fixing.

Dubois defended her approach, saying the US stint broadened her sparring options and introduced different styles and training methods she found valuable. She praised the sharp rounds, altitude work and the differing mindset and work ethic she encountered, saying those elements helped her develop and push on as an athlete.

Catch Caroline Dubois vs Terri Harper live on Sky Sports this Sunday from 7pm.