Sweet for Caroline! Dubois wins WBC interim world lightweight title
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk
Caroline Dubois moved to 10-0 in the professional ranks by outpointing Maira Moneo at Barnsley’s Oakwell Stadium on Saturday – but more importantly claimed the WBC interim lightweight title.
The 23-year-old South Londoner already holds the IBO belt but that boxing organisation is not seen as one of the sports’ heavy hitters.
Dubois is likely to be promoted to full world champion status if current champion Katie Taylor either vacates or is stripped by the WBC. The Irish ring legend also holds all the major titles at super-lightweight and is set to face Amanda Serrano in November.
Dubois is Taylor’s mandatory challenger and won by scores of 100-90, 100-89 and 99-90.
Uruguay’s Moneo was dropped in the sixth round.
“I want to present myself as a future star in boxing and that happens by me pushing myself, turning up every day to work hard and putting on great performances,” Dubois recently told Seconds Out on YouTube.
Asked what big fights were immediately achievable, Dubois namechecked WBO lightweight champion Rhiannon Dixon, Terri Harper, who holds the WBO and IBO belts at super-lightweight, Beatriz Ferreira (IBF lightweight champion) and Alycia Baumgardner.
“If I moved up to 140 (lbs) and there is Chantelle Cameron, Sandy Ryan, Natasha Jonas and Mikaela Mayer,” she said. “I feel I’m at a point where I can move up and down.
“The weights in and around 135 (lbs) are very busy. I don’t think I’m in a position where I run out of opponents or big names to fight.
“With the Olympics and people turning over (to box professionally) there is going to be an influx of people coming through.
“The plan is always to go up (the weight classes) gradually but if the opportunity came around I would definitely take it.
“Honestly, I don’t know (how likely a bout against Taylor is). It’s a hard one, isn’t it? She’s got options and when someone has got options then it is up to them. Beggars can’t be choosers – and I’m not a chooser right now.
“I’m just going to have to wait and see what she says. She is fighting Amanda. If she wins then she has a chance to fight at 140 or 135, maybe she goes for the Chantelle Cameron rematch or someone else.”
Simpson was boxing on home turf and the judges scored it 118-111, 118-110 and 117-111.
The new champion said: “He was better than I thought – going backwards and with his head movement.
“I spoiled some of my own work but I saw it as a learning and stepping stone fight.”
PICTURES: CHRIS DEAN/BOXXER