The Transition of Women's Boxing
As the sport prepares for the retirement of Katie Taylor, industry focus has shifted toward the next generation of marquee talent. Nakisa Bidarian, partner at Most Valuable Promotions, has identified WBC and WBO lightweight champion Caroline Dubois as a fighter possessing the specific "ingredients" required to ascend to the status of a global face of boxing.
This assessment comes as Katie Taylor prepares for her final professional appearance on September 5 in Dublin against Flora Pili. With Taylor’s career concluding and Amanda Serrano’s professional tenure nearing its end, promoters are actively evaluating the athletes capable of sustaining the sport's current momentum.
Upcoming Action in Birmingham
Caroline Dubois (Dubois vs Moore) is scheduled to defend her lightweight titles against American challenger Amelia Moore on August 29. The bout will take place in Birmingham as part of the MVPW-06 event. The card is headlined by the unified welterweight world championship clash between Mikaela Mayer and Chantelle Cameron.
The Pound-for-Pound Landscape
While Dubois is highlighted as a rising star, the conversation regarding the current pound-for-pound leader remains centered on Claressa Shields. Promoter Dmitry Salita maintains that Shields is "definitively" the top fighter in the sport, citing her ability to consistently sell out arenas and her status as an undisputed champion across three weight classes.
Shields, currently 18-0, is preparing for a middleweight bout against Kaye Scott in Atlanta. Her team continues to pursue a potential matchup with British champion Lauren Price. Despite previous negotiations reaching an impasse, Salita indicated that discussions remain active, with Shields moving down to 160 pounds to facilitate the weight requirements for a potential bout.
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