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Caroline Dubois: Women’s boxing should have 12 rounds of three minutes, like men’s
As she prepares to defend her WBC title at the Royal Albert Hall, the London fighter reveals how she became hooked on the sport, aged nine
Boxing clearly runs in the Dubois family. Caroline Dubois, the sister of heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois, is undefeated in 11 fights, most recently fighting Jessica Camara in January. The bout was ruled a draw after a clash of heads left Camara with a cut eye and unable to continue, which meant Dubois retained her World Boxing Council lightweight title.
On Friday, she will put her belt on the line again when she takes on South Korea’s Bo Mi Re Shin. That fight is part of an all-women’s boxing event, “Unstoppable”, at the Royal Albert Hall, headlined by welterweights Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price.
Here 24-year-old Dubois talks to Telegraph Sport about art, music and good advice…
If you could switch lives with anyone in the world for a day, who would it be?
Zhang Weili, the UFC fighter, so I could know what it is like to do MMA. I’ve never done it and don’t think I ever would, but if I could switch with her body, I wouldn’t feel pain as she would be used to it, so that would be cool.
What is your worst habit?
Procrastination. I’m terrible. If someone messages, instead of dealing with it, I put it off and then forget about it.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
To teleport. And to do it with other people, so you can spontaneously move between different locations and countries and don’t have to bother with all the travelling.
What is your most prized possession?
The WBC belt I just won.
What song gets you on the dancefloor?
No song because I don’t go on the dancefloor! A song that makes me want to dance? Love Me JeJe by Tems.
What is your karaoke song?
Adele, Someone Like You. I know all the words to that one.
If you had a time machine, would you go back in time or go to the future?
I wouldn’t do either; I’d stay where I am, I’m happy where I am. The past has made me who I am and I’m happy with the person I am. And I’m excited to experience the future in real time.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I liked to draw and enjoyed art at school. I think it was something I was good at but I haven’t drawn in a while; I need to sharpen up.
Best book you have ever read?
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It’s an amazing book, a beautiful book. It had a big impact on me.
What is your dream three-course meal and dinner guests?
Salt and pepper chicken wings for starter. For main, mac and cheese with oxtail and coleslaw. Then salted caramel ice cream with brownies. Who should I invite to share my amazing meal? Probably other athletes… Simone Biles, Sha’Carri Richardson and Usain Bolt. They would be fun.
If you could go on any reality TV show, what would it be?
Come Dine With Me. I like cooking and as a kid, I’d watch it all the time. I like eating other people’s cooking and critiquing it.
Describe yourself in three words.
Strong-hearted, strong-willed and brave.
Do you prefer a night in or a night out?
A night out but I don’t go dancing. I’m not a party girl. It’s more going for dinner or to the cinema, for walks.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Don’t let success go to your head and don’t let failure go to your heart. I remember watching a video and hearing someone say that, and it really stuck out to me. It’s a quote that relates to a lot of high-profile athletes.
What is the one rule you would like to change in your sport?
In women’s boxing, it’s 10 rounds of two minutes. I’d like 12 rounds of three, like for the men.
How did you get into boxing?
My family would always watch the major fights, but I wasn’t passionate until I turned nine. That is when I went to a boxing gym for the first time and walking in, the passion enveloped me. It’s just the atmosphere, the intensity. I’d done running, gymnastics, swimming, but it was different walking into a boxing gym. Everything was intense, everyone was switched on, there were kids as young as me taking it so seriously. I was attracted to that.
How are you feeling about fighting at the Royal Albert Hall?
Excited. It’s a historic venue and it’s only the second all-female show. It’s a privilege to be part of it.
Who is the one person you would like to meet, dead or alive?
I would love to have had the opportunity to meet Muhammad Ali. He wasn’t just a great boxer or athlete, he was a great person. He did so much for oppressed people. He was a legend.
If you were not a boxer, what would you be doing?
I’d love to open a spa where you could have your hair done, nails, other beauty stuff. It’s something I’m passionate about. I do get my nails done for fights and my hair. It’s look good, feel good, perform good.