The short version
- Caroline Dubois will defend her WBC and WBO belts against WBA holder Stephanie Han in February.
- A separate bout on the same card features IBF champion Elif Nur Turhan facing Alycia Baumgardner.
- Victories for both Dubois and Baumgardner could lead to an undisputed championship fight in 2027.
Caroline Dubois is set to travel across the Atlantic this February to pursue a significant milestone in her professional boxing career. The twenty-five-year-old British champion will face American Stephanie Han in a lightweight unification bout scheduled for February 20 at the Gecu Arena within the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas. This contest places three of the four major world titles on the line, marking a critical step toward potential undisputed status for the Londoner.
Dubois enters the ring as the reigning holder of the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization belts. She secured these championships earlier this year with a decision victory over Terri Harper in April 2026. Her professional record remains unblemished, boasting fourteen wins and one draw since turning pro. The Olympic medalist from the 2020 Games has consistently sought high-profile opposition to validate her standing in the division.
Her opponent, Stephanie Han, presents a formidable challenge as the current World Boxing Association titleholder. At thirty-six years old, Han is also undefeated, with thirteen victories to her name. She has successfully defended her WBA belt on three occasions, including two notable wins against former UFC champion Holly Holm during 2026. The fight represents a clash between Dubois’s momentum and Han’s experience in maintaining championship status.
Dubois has expressed clear intent regarding the outcome of the bout, stating her desire to add another world title to her collection while competing in Han’s hometown. She emphasized that these high-stakes matches are the culmination of her career efforts, aiming to prove herself against the best competition available. The British fighter acknowledged Han’s accomplishments but remained focused on capturing the WBA belt to consolidate her power in the lightweight division.
The significance of this event extends beyond the main card, as a second major title fight is scheduled for the same evening. Elif Nur Turhan, the undefeated IBF champion from Turkey, will face American Alycia Baumgardner. This bout puts the fourth and final major belt on the line, completing the puzzle of the lightweight division’s championship landscape. Both fighters are signed to Most Valuable Promotions, which increases the likelihood of future matchups between their respective camps.
Baumgardner is widely regarded as one of the premier pound-for-pound boxers in the sport, despite being seven years older than Dubois. She is stepping up from the super-featherweight division for this contest, adding another layer of complexity to the card. Dubois and Baumgardner have previously expressed mutual interest in a matchup, with the British fighter confronting her rival during a post-fight interview following her August victory over Amelia Moore.
If both Dubois and Baumgardner emerge victorious from their respective February bouts, the path to an undisputed championship contest becomes clear. Such a fight would likely be scheduled for 2027, pitting the winner of the Han bout against the victor of the Turhan match. This potential superfight would determine the single best lightweight boxer in the world under the current four-belt system.
For Dubois, securing all four belts would place her in an exclusive group of British boxers. She aims to become only the fifth Briton to achieve undisputed status in the modern era, joining a list that includes Josh Taylor, Chantelle Cameron, Savannah Marshall, and Ellie Scotney. The upcoming fight in Texas is therefore not just a title defense but a strategic move toward historical recognition within the sport.
Dubois has confirmed she will be present ringside to watch the Turhan-Baumgardner bout, signaling her awareness of the broader implications for the division. The convergence of these top contenders on one card highlights the competitive depth of the lightweight class. As the February date approaches, attention will focus on whether Dubois can overcome Han’s experience and maintain her perfect record while advancing toward her ultimate goal.
The outcome of this unification bout will likely dictate the trajectory of the lightweight division for the remainder of 2026 and into 2027. With all major titles potentially consolidating under one champion, the stakes are exceptionally high. Fans and analysts alike will be watching to see if Dubois can navigate the challenges posed by Han’s seasoned defense and set the stage for a historic undisputed showdown later in the year.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC Sport↗Briton Dubois to face Han in lightweight unification
