Boxing
Katie Taylor Faces Toughest Decision Yet: Defend WBC Lightweight Title Against Rising Star Caroline Dubois or Vacate?
Katie Taylor faces a tough decision: defend her WBC lightweight title against rising star Caroline Dubois or vacate. Dubois, hailed as boxing's best prospect, poses a formidable challenge to the legendary Taylor.
Image Credits: Cooper Neill/Getty Images for Netflix
Katie Taylor has been warned she will be facing the most exciting young female fighter on the planet if she decides to defend her WBC lightweight crown against Caroline Dubois.
Dubois Mandatory Challenger
The younger sister of world heavyweight champion Daniel, Caroline added the organisation’s interim title to her IBO belt by scoring an emphatic points win over Maira Maneo at Barnsley Football Club at the beginning of this month.
The victory, which saw her drop the Uruguayan in round six, saw Dubois installed as Taylor’s mandatory challenger in the 135 lb division. The legendary Irishwoman now faces one of the toughest choices of her career so far - vacate, be stripped, or agree to face the 23-year-old Londoner.
Spencer Oliver Hails ‘Boxing’s Best Prospect’
If Taylor chooses the latter option, then she will be stepping into the ring with someone that boxing coach and pundit, Spencer Oliver rates as the best up-and-coming boxer in the sport.
Asked if Dubois should now be viewed as the new queen of the lower weight classes following Claressa Shields’ move to heavyweight, the former European super-bantamweight king turned expert analyst replied: “Saying that would be a really big call because you’ve still got Amanda Serrano, Katie Taylor and people like that around, people of that magnitude.”
“Let’s just say Caroline is the best prospect. The best prospect by far. That’s how I’d describe her, and I hold her in such high regard,” Oliver told SportsBoom.com.
Image Credits: Cooper Neill/Getty Images for Netflix
With Taylor and Serrano now both in their Thirties, Oliver added: “The thing is, time is on Caroline’s side if you look at her age. Time isn’t on the side of the others.
“I rate Caroline so highly. Let’s just say the next 12 months are going to be crucial for her and, in 12 month’s time, I’m sure we’ll be having a different conversation altogether.”
The Clock is Ticking
Dubois, whose older sibling faced Anthony Joshua at Wembley next month, stretched her unbeaten professional record to 10-0 by dispatching Maneo in style. Their bout was chief support to Callum Simpson’s successful tilt for the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight straps against Zak Chelli.
Despite lacking her rival’s experience - the only other defeat on Maneo’s 16 fight CV came via disqualification - Dubois dominated their contest throughout and was the overwhelming victory on all three cards.
Taylor, who at one stage appeared destined to face the South American, is tied up for the remainder of the year and could see the WBC take the decision about a match-up with Dubois out of her hands.
One of the most recognisable figures on the domestic boxing scene thanks to his work with Sky Sports and TalkSport, Oliver added: “Maira is one tough customer and a real test for anyone. Make no mistake, whatsoever, about that.”
“So, to see Caroline do what she did - and the manner she did it in - was very impressive. Hugely impressive in fact.”
“That was a real statement from Caroline, and I thought she looked great. If anyone wasn’t taking notice of her before, then they’re going to have to know, that’s for sure.”
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.