Caroline Dubois pens new long-term BOXXER deal – with Maira Moneo up next

Caroline Dubois has signed a new long-term promotional contract with BOXXER.

The IBO world lightweight champion, from South London, is aiming to add the interim WBC title to her collection when she faces Maira Moneo at Barnsley FC’s Oakwell Stadium on August 3.
Dubois (9-0, 5KOs) has got off to the perfect start to her professional career having already been crowned Youth Olympic, World Youth and four-time European Youth champion as an amateur.

Uruguay’s Moneo (14-1, 3KOs), is a former WBA interim title holder and currently holds the same title with the WBC.

Known as La Panterita, Moneo has a victory over former two-weight world ruler Erica Anabella Farias and the only blemish on her record is the result of a disqualification in a 2020 bout with Yanina del Carmen Lescano due to a clash of heads.

“I’m very happy to have signed a new deal with BOXXER, Ben Shalom and Sky Sports,” said Dubois. “It’s the biggest platform and I’ve been impressed with the amount they’ve invested in me and in female boxing.

“I’m ready to announce myself on the big stage. I want to be world champion. I want to be fighting for world titles against the likes of Rhiannon Dixon, Beatriz Ferreira and Katie Taylor. I want to unify the division. I want to be undisputed and then I want to move up in weight.

“I want to go all the way and to do something that has never been done before. I want to transform the sport of female boxing and to change the way it’s viewed to make sure it gets the respect it deserves.

“Moneo is a fight that can propel me to the next level. She’s game, she’s tough and she believes she’s going to win. She is going to bring that South American mentality, tenacity and energy.

“She has a lot of experience. She’s had a lot of fights so I don’t think she’s going to be overawed. She’s going to be aggressive and non-stop punching and I’m ready and I’m excited for that.

“Every time I step in the ring, I want to do damage. I want to excite people. I want people to say: ‘Wow, that Caroline Dubois, she’s something special!’

“I want my name to be in their minds and on their lips. Whether it’s a knockout or a 10-round beatdown, I want to be the standout performance of the night, and on August 3, I’m coming to steal the show.

“After this fight, I will be on a collision course with Katie Taylor. I will be the interim champion, her mandatory and unless she vacates, we’re fighting next.”

Dubois’ unbeaten run in the paid ranks includes a convincing win over Magali Rodriguez to claim the IBO belt in September 2023 and a successful defence against Miranda Reyes in February 2024.

BOXXER founder and chief executive Shalom said: “Caroline Dubois is one of the future faces of world boxing. She is a special talent. We’ve worked with her from her pro debut and we’re delighted that she continues to put her faith in us to guide her career to the highest level.”

The Barnsley show is headlined by  Fulham’s Zak Chelli defending his British and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles against Callum Simpson, who will enjoy home advantage.

Chelli, 26, is making the first defence of the belts he claimed with a unanimous points win over Jack Cullen at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool at the start of the year.

Chelli (15-2-1, 7KOs) said: “Winning the British and Commonwealth titles was the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice. This is just the beginning for me.

“Simpson is too scared to challenge me for my titles in London so I’ll show him what a real fighter is and fight him on his home turf. On August 3, my hand will be raised and the belts will remain round my waist.”