Caroline Dubois splits from trainer Shane McGuigan ahead of lightweight title defence vs Amelia Moore

· 4 min read

Caroline Dubois has parted ways with trainer Shane McGuigan before she bids to defend her WBC and WBO lightweight titles against Amelia Moore in Birmingham on August 29, live on Sky Sports.

McGuigan, who has established himself as one of the world's best boxing trainers, began working with Dubois in 2021.

The pair have enjoyed some great success together, with McGuigan guiding Dubois to victories over Maira Moneo, Bo Mi Re Shin, and the 25-year-old's unification victory over Terri Harper in April.

Dubois is set to fight Amelia Moore on August 29 in Birmingham

Image: Dubois is set to fight Amelia Moore on August 29 in Birmingham

Dubois revealed her decision to team up with Manny Robles - the renowned trainer of Andy Ruiz Jr, Oscar Valdez and Brandon Figueroa - was driven solely by her quest to dominate boxing, insisting she had nothing but gratitude for McGuigan.

"Most times fighters leave a coach when they lost, and they want someone to blame or throw under the bus, that's a lame move," Dubois said.

"At the end of the day, I'm so happy and proud of the journey we had had together. I've become the unified world champion, I've announced myself into women's boxing and the biggest stage possible and we did that with Shane McGuigan as my coach and as a massive part of my team.

"I just want to say a massive thank you to Shane McGuigan who was a phenomenal coach and is a phenomenal coach. I'm honoured, proud and privileged to be part of that

Also See:

"That work doesn't get forgotten, lost or disappear; it grows and adds to the stable. I'm on a quest for greatness and will do whatever it takes to get there, and for me, moving to America and trying a different coaching team is a part of that quest.

"I want to grow and develop and be the best fighter you've ever seen. A fighter should never stop learning or growing or limit themselves."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Dubois says she is determined to fight rival Baumgardner sooner rather than later

Dubois wants more belts

Dubois and Moore will fight at 135lbs over 10 two-minute rounds at the bp pulse LIVE Arena, with Mikaela Mayer and Chantelle Cameron set to headline the event, which is entirely composed of bouts between UK and USA female fighters.

But the English fighter is "frustrated" by having to defend her titles, rather than unify the belts. She had sought out a fight with Elif Nur Turhan.

"From what I hear and from what my promotors and team are telling me, she [Turhan] asked for such an astronomical, ridiculous amount. It was absurd. It was crazy," Dubois said.

"The amount she asked for, it wasn't even a laugh out of the room. It was just so ridiculous. If I told you, you would think I'm lying.

"So she just isn't about it. She's a joker and what you do with jokers, you just leave them alone. That's retirement money. That's never-fight-again type of money."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Dubois says she is determined to fight rival Baumgardner sooner rather than later

'Best lightweight in the world'

Dubois believes the fight with Turhan will happen eventually but is also eyeing up a meeting with WBA lightweight title holder Stephanie Han.

Earlier this year, the British fighter also called out Alycia Baumgardner, saying their much-anticipated bout "has to happen sooner rather than later".

In 2023, McGuigan backed Dubois to "capture all of the belts", declaring her "the best lightweight in the world".

"Even though the lightweight division is probably the most highly contested division in female boxing, she's blitzing everybody," he told Sky Sports.

McGuigan also said he expected the 25-year-old to become an undisputed champion across multiple weight classes.

"I genuinely believe she can do it at lightweight, super-lightweight and welterweight. She's still developing. She's getting much better all the time."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Dubois is seeking to unify her belts but Alycia Baumgardner says the British fighter has been avoiding her

Scotney: Sometimes you have to make a change

Former undisputed world champion Ellie Scotney told Sky Sports:

"Caroline is a generational talent and I think she's just scratching the surface.

"It's one of those where she has to follow if there's something new that she wants to align.

"Nothing was going wrong for her to make that move. But sometimes you just have to make a change, and I think she's at that place."

Watch MVPW-06 in Birmingham, headlined by Mikaela Mayer vs Chantelle Cameron and with Caroline Dubois also in action, live on August 29 on Sky Sports. Get Sky Sports or stream boxing with no contract.