KATIE TAYLOR has relinquished her WBC lightweight world title – with Caroline Dubois elevated from interim champion.
The Bray woman, 38, has held the WBC strap since 2019, when she beat Delfine Persoon to become undisputed champ at 135lbs.
She has not fought at lightweight since 2022, with her last three fights – against Chantelle Cameron (2) and Amanda Serrano – being at super lightweight where she is also undisputed.
Caroline Dubois was crowned interim champion with a unanimous points victory over Maira Moneo in August.
And on Wednesday, it was revealed that she had been promoted to champion proper after Taylor had relinquished the WBC belt.
The 23-year-old would have been Taylor’s next mandatory challenger, with Wednesday’s news the clearance indication that the Irishwoman could stay at 140lbs.
However, asked if she was disappointed to have lost the chance to fight the Bray woman, Dubois told Sky Sports: “I understand the boxing game completely.
“For me, I am so grateful that I don’t need Katie Taylor in my career.
“It would be an amazing fight if it happens, and if it happens, you know I will be ready but if it doesn’t happen, there are so many other fights out there for me to fight that would just be as legacy making.
“I am happy to go my way and she can go hers.”
Dubois defend the title on her 24th birthday – January 11 – against Jessica Camara.
Her promoter Ben Shalom said: “We would like to thank WBC, president Mauricio Sulaiman and the board of governors for upgrading Caroline.
“The WBC lightweight title is active again and in Caroline the WBC has a champion who can rule for many years to come.
“We are only just starting to see her true potential. We believe Caroline will become the future face of women‘s boxing.”
The sister of male heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois had previously spoken publicly about her desire to fight Taylor.
Speaking to Sky Sports at the end of November, the Brit accused the 24-1 ace of “hoarding the belt”.
She said: “I’m mandatory to the belt. Katie needs to either come back down and fight me or let the belt go.
“She hasn’t fought for the belt for over a year now. It seems apparent that she’s not going to come back down to 135lbs.
“So she’s just hoarding the belt, stopping me in my tracks and my future and my career, for what purpose?
“She’s done so well in her career, she’s fought Amanda Serrano, I’m sure she’s going to want the trilogy, that’s going to be a big money fight. But that will be at 140lbs.
“So there’s no business even holding onto the belt. Just let it go and I get on with my career and she can get on with hers.”
