Caroline Dubois “has the ingredients” to succeed Katie Taylor as one of the biggest stars in boxing, according to Most Valuable Promotions partner Nakisa Bidarian.
Ireland’s undisputed super-lightweight world champion Taylor, who turned 40 in July, is set to fight professionally for the final time in an undisputed world super-lightweight title fight against Flora Pili in Dublin on September 5.
A week earlier, lightweight world champion Dubois will seek to maintain her unbeaten record when she defends her WBC and WBO straps against American Amelia Moore, live on Sky Sports on the undercard of Chantelle Cameron’s clash with Mikaela Mayer.
Bidarian told Sky Sports: “For me, the poster fighters of the sport have been Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor, the two of them have been real trailblazers.
“It’s sad to see that arc transition in September for Katie, I think Amanda probably has one more fight left after August 21.
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“But women’s boxing has never been stronger. It’s a young sport, it became an Olympic sport in 2012 where Katie was the beneficiary, and she’s created a storied career for herself.
“But we feel good about the future of this sport we feel like we have a roster of athletes. Caroline Dubois is one who I think has the ingredients of Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano, Laila Ali, Christy Martin and Ronda Rousey all there.
“Of course, the sport’s going to miss Katie, of course the ring is going to miss Amanda, but the sport is in a great place.”
Salita says Shields is ‘definitively No 1’
Undisputed heavyweight champion Claressa Shields is already “definitively” the No 1 fighter in women’s boxing, according to her promoter Dmitry Salita.
Two-time Olympic gold medallist Shields has been an undisputed champion in the professional ranks in three weight classes, winning all 18 of her fights.
Asked about Shields’ status in the sport amid Taylor’s career coming to a close, Salita told Sky Sports earlier this year: “Katie Taylor is a historic figure in boxing, and I’ve said many times – personally and professionally – that I’m a fan of hers and what she has done for the sport.
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“That said, Claressa Shields is definitively the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in women’s boxing today.
“What separates Claressa is not just what she’s accomplished in the ring which already stands on its own but the totality of her impact.
“There is something more to being a bona fide superstar than simply being elite in the ring. There’s an “it” factor. The ability to headline, to sell out arenas, to create moments, to carry events regardless of the opponent – and Claressa has that.
“She may be the first woman in the history of the sport consistently selling out major arenas regardless of opponent.”
Will Shields vs Price happen?
Shields is dropping down from heavyweight in an attempt to become middleweight world champion once more, with the 31-year-old taking on Australian Kaye Scott in Atlanta this weekend.
The fight could be a precursor for a possible blockbuster with Britain’s own world champion Lauren Price, who currently holds three of the four welterweight belts.
Talks have previously taken place over Shields and Price meeting at the middleweight, and despite an impasse in negotiations, Salita remains optimistic the fight can happen.
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“When Claressa went to Wales, we believed we had the framework of a deal in place, and we’re still operating in that spirit,” Salita told Sky Sports last month.
“I believe we’re close. Claressa is moving down to 160 pounds because she wants to make this fight happen. She’s already accomplished so much, but she’s always looking for the biggest global fights.
“Lauren is an outstanding fighter and an Olympic gold medallist. This is one of the biggest fights that can be made in women’s boxing, and we’re confident it will happen.
“Claressa has always done her part to make the biggest fights possible, and this is no different. We’re ready to continue the discussions.”
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.