Caroline Dubois possesses everything required to step into Katie Taylor's shoes as one of women's boxing biggest attractions, according to Most Valuable Promotions partner Nakisa Bidarian.
Taylor, Ireland's undisputed super-lightweight world champion who celebrated her 40th birthday in July, is preparing for what will be her last outing as a professional. She meets Flora Pili for the undisputed super-lightweight crown in Dublin on September 5.
Seven days before that, lightweight world champion Dubois puts her unbeaten run on the line when she puts up her WBC and WBO belts against American challenger Amelia Moore. The bout airs live on Sky Sports and sits on the undercard of Chantelle Cameron's showdown with Mikaela Mayer.
Bidarian was full of praise for the current crop of talent when speaking to 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."
"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."
The build-up to the Birmingham card has already been stoked by the pairing of Mayer and Cameron, whose rivalry was aired at their first press conference, as detailed in our earlier coverage of the Mayer-Cameron press conference ahead of their August 29 clash in Birmingham.
Dubois's status grows with WBC upgrade
Dubois's position at the top of the division has actually strengthened since the original interview took place. According to the BBC, she has been elevated to full WBC lightweight champion after Taylor opted to relinquish that particular strap, meaning Dubois now holds a genuine world title rather than merely an interim one.
That shift in the lightweight landscape has been building for some time. Taylor had already given up the IBF lightweight title, and the IBF subsequently ordered Dubois to face Rhiannon Dixon for the vacant belt, a move that shows just how significantly Taylor's decision to move up in weight has reshaped the division, as reported by Sky Sports.
Salita insists Shields is boxing's true No 1
Undisputed heavyweight champion Claressa Shields is already the definitive top fighter in women's boxing, according to her promoter Dmitry Salita.
Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medallist, has been crowned undisputed champion across three professional weight classes and remains unbeaten in all 18 of her fights.
Asked earlier this year where Shields stands as Taylor's career nears its end, Salita told Sky Sports:
"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."
"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."
Could Shields and Price finally collide?
Shields is dropping back down from heavyweight in pursuit of a return to the middleweight throne, taking on Australia's Kaye Scott in Atlanta this weekend.
That fight is being viewed as a possible stepping stone toward a mega-bout with Britain's own Lauren Price, who currently holds three of the four welterweight belts.
Discussions have previously taken place regarding a Shields-Price meeting at middleweight, and although talks have stalled, Salita remains upbeat that the fight can still be made.
"When Claressa went to Wales, we believed we had the framework of a deal in place, and we're still operating in that spirit."
"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."
What happens next
On the Dubois front, the timeline for a potential showdown with Rhiannon Dixon is already taking shape. Per Sky Sports, the IBF's negotiation period for that fight was set to run until January 20, after which the matchup would be decided by purse bids should terms not be agreed.
Fans can watch MVPW-06 in Birmingham, headlined by Mikaela Mayer against Chantelle Cameron and featuring Caroline Dubois on the undercard, live on Sky Sports on August 29. Sky Sports and no-contract boxing streaming options are available for those wanting to tune in.
