Ringside Report: Caroline Dubois Beats Maira Moneo On Points In Barnsley

Ringside Report: Caroline Dubois Beats Maira Moneo On Points In Barnsley

In many ways, It was a learning fight for Caroline Dubois on Saturday night in Barnsley. A tough, rugged opponent in Maira Moneo who made Dubois work extremely hard for her victory. But it will be valuable rounds and experience in the back for a fighter who seems destined to win a world title before too long. Moneo never stopped trying, but in truth, Dubois was on a completely different level.

Dubois defended her IBO world lightweight title, but of far more importance, she is now the WBC interim champion. An honour that will surely serve its purpose in the coming months.

The scorecards were wide and deserved. All three judges had it for Dubois by scores of
100-90, 100-89, and 99-90. From ringside, I could realistically only give Moneo one round. Dubois won clearly and was impressive in doing so. A 6th round knockdown was the highlight for Dubois. But the Uruguayan was never remotely in danger of being stopped, Dubois always looked as though she would have to settle for a points victory.

Moneo crowded Dubois, trying to deny the British fighter space. But Dubois wasn’t found wanting at close quarters, and when she did find space, the difference in class was obvious. Some might try to water down the victory, but while the victory was most definitely in the hard-earned category, that shouldn’t diminish the manner of the victory, and Moneo would be a hard night’s work for anyone.

Dubois (10-0) moves on, and the hope is that the interim label carries her on to the WBC title proper. Katie Taylor still holds the WBC and WBA world lightweight titles. But with no defence of those titles since late 2022, and no sign of Taylor ever defending them again, the governing bodies really do need to make a decision and force her hand. Those titles are being held up. Sometimes, you just have to do the right thing regardless of who is in possession of the belts.

Caroline Dubois is some fighter, and at 23, will only get better. The future is bright, not only for Dubois but her division also. With possible fights with the likes of Rhiannon Dixon and Beatriz Ferreira, who hold the WBO and IBF titles, respectively, ahead of her, Dubois has plenty of challenges ahead of her. But she will need a little helping hand from the governing bodies first.

Photo Credit: Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer