An Interview With Caroline Dubois

An Interview With Caroline Dubois

By Rachel Aylett

I spoke with female amateur sensation Caroline Dubois, sister of Daniel, to see what was on her mind. Caroline is sweeping all before her in the amateur game and is aiming for the Olympic Games next year.

What’s the latest with you? How are things going – I know you’re winning everything!

“I’ve got the Europeans in September, in Bulgaria – hopefully I’ll get in the GB team. Then I’ll need to go through the Olympic qualifiers next year and hopefully, if all things fall into place I’ll fight at the Olympics.”

Have they decided on the Olympic weights for women yet?

“They haven’t actually made it official but they have in the past so we know what sort of weights are going to be in. I’ll be boxing at about 60 kilos.”

What have you won to date Caroline?

“I’ve won the Europeans three times – I’ll be going for my fourth title in September. I’ve won the Worlds, the Youth Olympics, the Three Nations, the Nationals.”

Who are your biggest rivals? Is there anybody close to your weight that stands out?

“To be honest, the biggest rival is yourself. The only one that can stop you is yourself. You can only go as far as your body and your boxing ability will allow you to go. You just need to realise that. If you look at another person and what they’ve done and their attributes, you’ve already lost. You’ve just got to believe in yourself.”

What’s your ultimate goal? Obviously, the Olympics first.

“Yes, that’s really on my mind. I want a Gold medal. I don’t just want a medal, I want a Gold medal. I’m not thinking after that. I’ll probably go pro – I want to be a world champion, but right now I want to have my mind focussed on the Olympics.”

So the intention is to eventually turn professional?

“Yes, definitely. I want to make a name for myself.”

… and you’ve come along at just the right time haven’t you? Women’s boxing is really taking off now.

“Exactly. It’s doing so well, with role models like Katie Taylor and Claressa Shields, Nicola Adams, Mikaela Mayer.”

Sophie Alisch?

“Yes, she’s only just turned pro. We were in the Europeans together – we never fought, she’s obviously a different weight. I hope it continues to do well, but we need the best fighting the best. Currently, there aren’t many really good boxers at the top so we need more of the good fighters to fight each other and then there will be good fights.”

There are some big fights being made aren’t there – with Shields/Hammer and it’s slowly chipping away and getting new fans.

“Definitely. It’s only a matter of time – and it hasn’t been going for that long compared to men’s boxing.”

What age were you when you got the boxing bug?

“I was 9 years old. I kept pestering my dad to take me to the gym. He always went with the boys training and he always used to bring back these tapes afterwards and I’d always see the medals and I thought I want to do that as well. The first time I walked into a boxing gym, I remember thinking how could anyone not want to box!”

You have a younger brother who boxes as well.

“Yes, Prince. He’s only 14. He just went to the Europeans and he was unlucky but he’s slowly getting there. He went into the Cadets when he was a year younger, so he’s boxing against people a year older than him.”

Back to the pro game, and what did you think of Katie Taylor’s fight with Persoon?

“I thought Katie Taylor won, or if anything it was a draw.”

.. and how would you see Katie Taylor v Chantelle Cameron going?

“That would be a brilliant fight if they built it right, like Claressa Shields and Hammer. They’re both very good fighters who have competed at high levels – both as amateurs and pros. To be honest, I wouldn’t be surprised if it went either way. Katie Taylor, she can box, keep it long and show her class – in her last fight she got a bit smothered, she got into a fight when she shouldn’t have. Chantelle’s really strong and persistent – she’s gonna keep going for it and won’t let anything get in her way. It’s a 50-50 fight. Very close. They’re both good, both skillful.”

All the best of luck to you Caroline!

“Thank you.”