 Caroline Dubois believes the time has come for Katie Taylor to vacate at least one of her lightweight world titles with the rising star of women's boxing fearing her division has become a closed shop for new challengers. Dubois, 22, has enjoyed a rapid ascent through the women's ranks and will challenge Magali Rodriguez for the IBO world title at York Hall on Saturday. While somewhat less regarded than boxing's other major belts, it represents the only world honour available to her with all the other gold at 135lbs in Taylor's possession. The Bray fighter has ruled as undisputed queen of the lightweight division since 2019, a fighting champion having defended her IBF, WBC, WBO, WBA and Ring Magazine titles seven times in that time – including a career-best win over Amanda Serrano in New York in May 2022. This year, her focus has turned to becoming a two-weight undisputed champion against super-lightweight champion Chantelle Cameron. Taylor was soundly beaten by the English fighter in Dublin in May with a rematch in the Irish capital set for November with Cameron's belts once again on the line. While Taylor is chasing redemption, it has left Dubois to ponder the immediate future of her division. 'The division is being held up,' Dubois told Metro.co.uk. 'That is because the woman at the top has been the queen there for so long that I think the organisations are giving her a lot of leeway. 'Everything is dependent on what she wants to do. Whether that is right or wrong, I suppose she deserves it to some extent. Girls like Katie, she has been champion for so long, everyone is just waiting to see what she is going to do next.' Taylor still holds all the gold at lightweight (Picture: Getty) Taylor's last lightweight title defence was against mandatory challenger Karen Elizabeth Carabajal in October 2022. While the Irish fighter has earned some flexibility with boxing's sanctioning bodies, D){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Caroline Dubois believes the time has come for Katie Taylor to vacate at least one of her lightweight world titles with the rising star of women’s boxing fearing her division has become a closed shop for new challengers.
Dubois, 22, has enjoyed a rapid ascent through the women’s ranks and will challenge Magali Rodriguez for the IBO world title at York Hall on Saturday. While somewhat less regarded than boxing’s other major belts, it represents the only world honour available to her with all the other gold at 135lbs in Taylor’s possession.
The Bray fighter has ruled as undisputed queen of the lightweight division since 2019, a fighting champion having defended her IBF, WBC, WBO, WBA and Ring Magazine titles seven times in that time – including a career-best win over Amanda Serrano in New York in May 2022.
This year, her focus has turned to becoming a two-weight undisputed champion against super-lightweight champion Chantelle Cameron. Taylor was soundly beaten by the English fighter in Dublin in May with a rematch in the Irish capital set for November with Cameron’s belts once again on the line.