Dubois beats Moore to keep Baumgardner in picture

Caroline Dubois coasted to victory over Amelia Moore to defend her WBC and WBO lightweight titles and stay on course for a blockbuster meeting with unified super-featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner in 2027.

Dubois dominated the fight at BP Pulse Arena in Birmingham and knocked Moore down in the fifth round but was unable to find the decisive blow against the dogged American.

The British fighter won on unanimous judges' decision - 99-90 99-90 98-91 on the scorecards.

Dubois was heavy favourite for this fight and never looked less than in control, although her reliance on power and presence rather than speed ensured it went the distance to a long, inevitable conclusion.

She sent Moore to the canvas with a booming left in round five, but Moore got straight back up and was instead moved around the ring by Dubois like a cat playing with a mouse.

After the fight, Dubois had a war of words with the watching Baumgardner, who is moving up to lightweight to face IBF champion Elif Nur Turhan in November, accusing the Briton of "tightening up" and being "tired".

In just her fifth professional fight, Moore - who has two American national championships from a respectable amateur career - showed admirable guts, but lacked the quality to trouble her foe.

It was clear that Dubois has boxed 70 more professional rounds than Moore, and she made light of being four inches shorter to avoid any danger.

Now it is anticipated that Dubois, unbeaten in 15 professional fights with 14 wins, will face Baumgardner next year - should the American beat Turhan.

Dubois and Baumgardner - who both gave separate media conferences promoting their respective upcoming fights in Birmingham on Thursday - have been sniping at each other for a year.

And it continued ringside post-fight, with Baumgardner present for what she called a "scouting mission" on Dubois on Saturday night.

Dubois' new MVP-curated personality - brash and self-confident - was on display as she called out Baumgardner for stepping into "my division - I am the best here", in an expletive-infused exchange.

She has also made changes outside ring, including a shock decision to switch trainer.

Dubois dropped Shane McGuigan in London, who helped guide her to two world titles in the lightweight division, and has opted to make the move to Los Angeles to work with renowned US trainer Manny Robles as she aims to take her career to the next level.

Baumgardner has said she "absolutely" wants to fight Dubois, and if the 32-year-old successfully steps up to lightweight and claims the IBF title in Texas on 8 November, then they should headline another MVP showcase of women's boxing.

Earlier on the undercard, Terri Harper - who lost on points to Dubois in April - began her rebuild with a comprehensive victory against Miranda Reyes which she described as "one of the best performances of my career".

Harper considered retirement after losing to Sandy Ryan in 2024, but had no such thoughts after defeat by Dubois.

And she stepped up to welterweight to take on Reyes, knowing this was a must-win bout to maintain her career as a top-rated fighter as she attempts to win a world title in a fourth weight class.

Harper bounced into the ring with bright yellow gloves, and there was nothing mellow as she continued that energy into the first round - holding the centre of the ring for the majority and landing some good body shots on Reyes.

She then upped her game and brought an early close at the start of the second round, dropping Reyes twice in short order.

A flurry of body shots was followed by a short left hook to down the Houston fighter, and the referee called it off 47 seconds into the second round to the delight of Harper's similarly yellow-attired corner.

"One of the best performances of my career, I'm very happy with that," Harper said. "You can't get rid of me this easily!

"I am excited for what's next. It's way too early [to say goodbye] - I've got a lot to give yet."

It is the seventh knockout win of Harper's career from 17 victories in 22 bouts, and she will now look up again after a timely reminder of her capabilities.