Boxing Apr 04, 2026

Caroline Dubois knows she must back up her words against Terri Harper: 'I'm on a quest for greatness. This is the start'

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By Admin
Sports Journalist
Caroline Dubois knows she must back up her words against Terri Harper: 'I'm on a quest for greatness. This is the start'

Caroline Dubois makes no secret of her ambition. She is on "a quest for greatness" and the next step in her mission is to unify world championships against Terri Harper.

Dubois and Harper will fight for the WBC and WBO lightweight world titles on Sunday, live on Your Site.

They are the co-headline bout on an all women's TV card at London's Olympia. The bill is promoted by Jake Paul's MVP and the winner will book a place among the star names of the women's sport.

It is a far cry from the north London pub where Dubois' boxing journey began. As a young child she had her first amateur bout in the function room of the Boston Arms, the same venue in fact where Anthony Joshua made his amateur debut.

To get sparring Dubois had pretended to be a boy called Colin and on the slip of paper that served as a programme of this amateur show, she was recorded as C. Dubois.

For every boxer their first bout is personally unforgettable. But for an onlooker, Dubois' debut was memorable too - she exhibited a skillset far more refined than you would expect for someone in their first a competitive bout.

She always knew she was good.

"God-given talent, I had it when I first started, I just had it, now I'm just learning how to maintain it," she told Your Site. "Some people have it, some people have to work hard for it and I think I was born with it. It comes with it's own pros and cons. You have to learn what it means to work hard, when you're just born with it.

"You have to make it happen. Since I was nine [when she started boxing] to where I am now I've been making it happen and I'm very proud of my journey.

"I look back and I think my god I'm so proud of that nine-year-old girl, I'm so proud of what she has done and what she has gotten me to. So far we continue to make it happen."

Dubois excelled as an amateur, never losing as a junior or youth. She qualified for the Olympics but suffered sporting heartbreak when she missed out on a medal at the Tokyo Games in 2021.

Now 25 years old, she is coming into her own as a professional boxer and relishing the showmanship in this side of the sport. Facing Harper in their pre-fight engagements, Dubois has taken to the trashtalk of pro boxing with gusto.

That is a new side to her character that was not apparent during her amateur days.

"I mean it's quite difficult going up to a Kazakhstan girl who doesn't speak English and be like, 'I'm going to knock you out!'" she said.

"There was never any point. Amateur boxing is a pure sport, professional boxing is entertainment, I'm here to entertain."

She has grown into her role in the professional sport. Dubois said: "There are a few things in my personal life that have given me room to improve and grow and be in an environment where you have that space to make those mistakes, learn from them, also developing as an athlete.

"I say I'm on a quest for greatness. And when you're on that quest you're going to meet so many different challenges and hurdles and when you overcome them, you only get closer to that goal."

Moments like Sunday's upcoming fight with Harper are what Dubois has always aspired to.

"This is the start. This is my first unification at the weight," the Londoner said. "I think champions should always try to fight the other champions, it's a no-brainer for me.

"It means a lot for my career, it's the start. When I look ahead I think yes, I'm fighting Terri but there are so many hard challenges in front of me that I know are going to come. Whether Terri is that or not, I don't really know.

"I have to be ready, I have to be ready for all of this. The pressure of fight night, the pressure of fighting and having to back up your words, all of that.

"This is the start and I'm excited to pass this test with flying colours."

Watch the Caroline Dubois vs Terri Harper lightweight world title unification on Sunday live on Your Site.

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