There is something inherently British about flying halfway across the Atlantic to Miami, performing a clinical demolition job in front of 20,000 empty seats, and then awarding yourself a “B” on your report card. If Caroline Dubois were any more understated, she’d be a library book.
While the rest of the world was busy wondering if Jake Paul’s jaw was made of glass or merely wishful thinking, Dubois was busy proving that “The Sweet Science” doesn’t always require a theatrical villain just a very, very sharp southpaw jab.
Miami Heat (Without the Crowds)
Making her debut for Most Valuable Promotions, Dubois strolled to the ring at the Kaseya Center singing Whitney Houston’s ‘I’m Every Woman’. It was a bold choice for someone about to spend the next thirty minutes making another woman’s life miserable.
Her opponent, Italy’s Camilla Panatta, arrived with plenty of heart but a defensive strategy that seemed to involve using her face as a target for Dubois’ straight lefts. By the third round, the “gap in class” wasn’t just a gap; it was a canyon. Dubois was moving in and out of range with the grace of a Londoner dodging puddles, while Panatta looked increasingly like she was trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube while being hit by a bus.
The “Slightly Painful” Counter
The highlight of the night arrived in the sixth. Panatta dipped in for a body shot a brave move, if ultimately a doomed one and Dubois met her with a counter right that sent the Italian crashing to the canvas.
Panatta did that thing fighters do where they jump up and grin to prove they aren’t hurt, which is the boxing equivalent of tripping on the pavement and pretending you were actually just starting a spontaneous jog. The scorecards, however, didn’t share the joke. A triple 99 – 90 shutout confirmed that while Panatta has a lovely smile, Dubois has the WBC belt.
Who’s Next for the Londoner?
Dubois is now sitting pretty at 12-0-1, and her new promoters (headed by the aforementioned Paul and Nakisa Bidarian) are clearly looking to fast-track her to superstardom. The options are tastier than a Miami beach brunch:
The Local Derby: A unification fight with Doncaster’s Terri Harper is the most logical step nothing says “Global Superstar” like a massive scrap between a Londoner and a Yorkshire lass.
The Super Fight: American star Alycia Baumgardner has already told Caroline she “wants that smoke.” Dubois, ever the cool customer, suggested they wait a bit. Translation: I’ll take the smoke, but let’s make sure the cheque is big enough to buy a fire extinguisher.
Final Reflection
It was a professional, poised, and powerful American debut. Dubois might give herself a “B,” but for the rest of us, watching a 24 year old control a world title fight with the nonchalance of someone ordering a coffee was an easy A.
She came, she saw, she countered. Now, if we can just get her to stop being so modest, we might actually have a superstar on our hands.
Related topics: Boxing
