- Caroline Dubois defended her title against WBC No.1 contender Bo Mi Re Shin
- Dubois was awarded a majority decision victory after the bout on a historic card
Caroline Dubois successfully defended her WBC lightweight title against WBC No.1 contender Bo Mi Re Shin on a historic all-women’s card at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday evening.
‘Sweet Caroline’ Dubois captured the WBC interim title with a one-sided points win over Maira Moneo in Barnsley in August.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympian was then upgraded to full WBC Champion when Irish boxing legend Katie Taylor opted to vacate her lightweight title.
Making the first defence of her WBC crown on January 11th in Sheffield, Dubois had to settle for a frustrating technical draw against Jessica Camara.
The 24-year-old Londoner dropped Camara in the opening round and looked set to end the fight in spectacular fashion, when an accidental clash of heads opened a cut above Camara’s left eye and forced an end to the fight.
Dubois was eager to avoid bringing the judges into the equation for her fight against South Korea’s Bo Mi Re Shin – who is known for her all-action style having secured 10 knockouts from her 18 victories.
Caroline Dubois defended her WBC lightweight title against WBC No.1 contender Bo Mi Re Shin
Dubois spent large portions of the first round finding her distance and targeting the body
However, the bout went the distance with two of the judges scoring the fight, 98-93, 98-92 in the Brit’s favour and one judge scoring it 95-95 to see Dubois win by majority decision.
Dubois spent large portions of the first round finding her distance and targeting the body – landing a few punishing left hands to Bo Mi Re Shin’s torso.
Despite brimming with confidence during the build-up on fight week, it was almost curtains for Bo Mi Re Shin in the second round.
Protect yourself at all costs, that’s what the referee warned before the fight started, but, Bo Mi Re Shin seemed to forget that during the second round. She turned to the referee to complain about Dubois punching the back of her head.
The referee thought little of it and allowed the fight to continue. Dubois continued to throw hands while Bo Mi Re Shin’s guard was down. It could have been devastating for the South Korean but she made the bell.
Dubois started the fourth round well, landing a combination to the body early on. Bo Mi Re Shin a little clumsy with her footwork struggled to find her range but did land a right hand that got the crowd excited.
It was almost curtains for Bo Mi Re Shin in the second round after a strong Dubois showing
The 24-year-old was beaming as she had her hand raised at the Royal Albert Hall
The round finished with both fighters standing toe-to-toe and trading in close quarters.
Bo Mi Re Shin looked to walk Dubois down in the seven round, landing several combinations on the Brit but causing very little damage.
Dubois, who had been warned in previous rounds about her head positioning, complained of a headbutt in the ninth round.
It was all out war for the 10th and final round of the fight, with fans rising to their feet as the final bell went.
