Reporting note: this article draws on Sky Sports; LodiScore provides the summary and editorial framing.
The Path to Undisputed at 135 Pounds
Unified lightweight titleholder Caroline Dubois has outlined her roadmap toward becoming undisputed champion at 135 pounds, setting her sights on WBA belt-holder Stephanie Han before pursuing a marquee showdown against the winner of the upcoming bout between Elif Nur Turhan and Alycia Baumgardner.
Dubois, who holds the WBC and WBO world lightweight titles following a successful defence against Amelia Moore in Birmingham, intends to stay active rather than wait for the division's other belts to consolidate organically. Her immediate goal is to capture Han's WBA strap either late this year or early next year, leaving her one belt away from complete division supremacy.
The Stakes in Turhan vs Baumgardner
The remaining piece of the lightweight puzzle will be contested on November 9, when reigning IBF champion Elif Nur Turhan defends her belt against American challenger Alycia Baumgardner. Dubois has expressed a clear desire for Baumgardner to prevail, eyeing a high-profile unification clash to decide the undisputed champion in 2025.
"I want to become undisputed and I want to be involved in relevant fights. To unify the division is my dream right now. The only other champion available is Han and we'll just have to see if I can get it in before the end of the year," Dubois said. "If not we'll have to go early next year. Hopefully we'll be unified world champion by the end of this year or early next. One belt away from becoming undisputed."
Tensions between Dubois and Baumgardner escalated into a heated verbal exchange immediately following Dubois's victory over Moore. Dubois claimed her rapid rise through the division has unsettled Baumgardner, arguing that the American feels threatened by her technical progression and punch volume.
Division Landscape and What to Watch Next
For Dubois, securing a bout against Han establishes a clear timeline. Should she unify the WBC, WBO, and WBA titles, the winner of Turhan versus Baumgardner would represent the final hurdle for the division's undisputed status. The focus now shifts to November 9 to see whether Baumgardner can secure the IBF belt or if Turhan halts the prospective undisputed showdown.