Caroline Dubois will be ringside at the Stephanie Han vs Holly Holm rematch this weekend, sitting alongside Jake Paul and casting a watchful eye over a fight that could determine her path to undisputed status. The WBC, WBO, and Ring Magazine lightweight champion is just one belt shy of complete dominance in the division, and the winner in El Paso may be the final piece of that puzzle.
Dubois claimed her three straps in a dominant performance against Terri Harper in April, unifying titles and cementing her place atop the lightweight class. Now the 24-year-old Briton is targeting the WBA crown currently held by Han, who defends it for a second time against Holm in a rematch of their contentious first meeting. That bout ended in a seventh-round technical decision after an accidental headbutt opened a cut on Holm’s forehead, with Han ahead on all scorecards at the time.
MVP chief executive Nakisa Bidarian confirmed Dubois’s plans to attend. “Dubois is traveling to the US for this bout,” he told Sky Sports. “She’ll sit ringside with Jake and me, watching intently. Naturally, this is her weight class, so one of these fighters could be next for her. Whether it ends up being that winner or Elif Turhan, the plan is to keep unifying and ultimately become undisputed.”
The stakes for Han-Holm II are immense. Holm, a 40-fight veteran and former world champion in multiple sports, tasted professional defeat for the first time that night in Puerto Rico. She is determined to avenge the loss and snatch the WBA belt, but she faces Han in a sold-out El Paso venue with over 7,500 partisan fans. “Stephanie has the hometown advantage,” Bidarian noted. “Holly has been in those types of positions before and prevailed.”
For Dubois, assigning a front-row seat is a clear signal of intent. Having already toppled Harper, she is methodically collecting every meaningful title. The lightweight division has not seen an undisputed champion since the four-belt era began, making her quest historically significant. A win by Han would set up a battle of unbeatens: Han holds a perfect 15-0 record, while Dubois boasts 16-0 with 12 knockouts.
Holm, however, could rewrite the script. If she recaptures the title, a showdown with Dubois would pit two of boxing’s most experienced female fighters against each other in a generational clash. Holm told Sky Sports she respects Dubois but is refusing to look beyond Saturday. “She’s performed well and is certainly a fighter to watch — she’s making a real impact in boxing, very tough, and I respect that,” Holm said. “I’m open to future possibilities, but right now I’m locked into this fight because it’s the only guaranteed one. Everything hinges on the result.”
Dubois’s journey to this point has been swift and emphatic. Turning professional in 2022, she stormed through the rankings with stoppage wins and captured interim gold before fully unifying against Harper. Her team has long plotted a course to undisputed, and this strategic outreach to scout potential opponents in person underscores the meticulous approach.
The presence of Jake Paul adds another layer of spectacle. Paul has increasingly aligned himself with women’s boxing through MVP, promoting cards that blend entertainment with high-level sport. His ringside company only amplifies the spotlight on the lightweight division, which is enjoying a golden era with stars like Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano still active.
Beyond Saturday, the implications ripple through the 135-pound landscape. If Dubois faces Han, it would be a classic matchup of youth vs youth, power vs precision. If Holm prevails, it becomes a veteran’s last stand against a surging force. Either way, undisputed status is tantalizingly close for Dubois, who could crown her collection before the year is out.
As the boxing world turns its eyes to El Paso, the stakes are clear: the winner exits not just with a belt, but with a potential date against Dubois and a chance to be part of history. For now, Han and Holm must settle their own score, while Dubois watches, waits, and plans her next move toward immortality.
Based on reporting from Sky Sports.